Bill would incentivize instate solar, wind generation, sponsor says
By Guy Page
Hydro-electric power from Canada should not be considered ‘renewable’ because it disincentivizes development on instate wind and solar, H395 sponsor Jim Masland (D-Thetford) said this week.
Vermont currently contracts with Hydro-Quebec for about 20% of the state’s total power load. HQ power is carbon-free, relatively low-cost, and delivered on-demand.
The bill would reduce the amount of energy from large hydroelectric plants that is considered renewable by 10 percent per year until none of that energy is considered renewable energy. Masland told VDC this week the state renewable energy standards are meant to incentivize instate power production.
Other bills recently introduced into the House include:
H457, sponsored by Rep. John O-Brien (D-Tunbridge), imposes taxes on food depending on how far food travels from place of origin. It would inform customers purchasing food of the carbon and climate change effects of the transit of agricultural commodities by establishing a tax on the mileage an agricultural commodity travels before retail sale in Vermont.” O’Brien is a farmer and filmmaker, directing “The Man with a Plan” movie about farmer Fred Tuttle running for the U.S. Senate.
H450, sponsored by Rep. Mary Howard (D-Rutland), gives supplemental income, health insurance, retirement benefits to legislators. The bill would “provide supplemental income during the legislative session to members of the General Assembly whose total monthly household income is less than the statewide median monthly income if the shortfall is attributable to the member’s service in the General Assembly.”
H447, sponsored by Rep. Mike Mrowicki (D-Putney), bans paramilitary group training and open-carry of semi-automatic weapons (with exceptions for police, etc.).
H445, sponsored by Rep. Brian Cina (P-Burlington), places a moratorium on developing a new correctional facility. Gov. Scott has proposed development of a new facility to replace the women’s prison in South Burlington. Cina also has introduced H438, decarceration of Vermont inmates.
H444, sponsored by Rep. Dan Noyes (D-Wolcott), establishes a trust fund to pay for long-term care. This bill reprises a perennial bill introduced by former Morristown Rep. David Yacovone to study the creation of a statewide fund for longterm (nursing home) care. At present, Vermont nursing home reimbursements are underfunded. The funding and worker shortage crises have caused some nursing homes to close. Industry representatives say the state’s longterm care is in danger of completely imploding.
H440, sponsored by Rep. Tom Burditt (R-Rutland Town), requires safety belts on new Type 1 schoolbuses.
H435, sponsored by Cina and Rep. Amy Sheldon (D-Middlebury) and others, radically overhauls Vermont’s economy to be ecologically friendly. It would require the state to “develop a plan for a regenerative economy by 2026….Vermont must build resiliency and create a roadmap for a just transition from an extractive economy to a new economy that repairs and restores the Earth.”
Click here to see all House bills introduced this year.
