By Paul Bean

Editor’s note: a speaker in this article was misidentified in an earlier edition as Rep. Chris Morrow. The speaker was Rep. Bram Kleppner.

Yesterday, House Republicans pushed to repeal climate legislation they consider a financial strain on Vermonters. 

The bills discussed in the House Energy and Digital Infrastructure Committee Wednesday, February 5 included repeal of the Clean Heat Standard, repeal of mandated emissions reductions, repeal of Vermont’s tie to the California tailpipe emissions standards, and repeal of the Global Warming Solutions Act entirely.

“So what H.16 [Clean Heat Standard repeal] does is say, look. Collectively, this wasn’t maybe the right approach for Vermont. Let’s repeal it,” said Representative Jim Harrison. “And, you know, if we wanna do something to help in this area, start over with a new bill. Don’t try to amend an existing law and leave the infrastructure that was envisioned and set up as part of Act 18 in place,” said Harrison.

H.16 would repeal the Affordable Heat Act, Act 18, which established the Clean Heat Standard to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Vermont.  “What happens if we don’t do anything?” said Harrison. “Well, first of all, Act 18 won’t proceed any further other than the issues with fuel dealer registration. And I understand there are some areas of that that aren’t clear and probably need fixing.”

Repealing the Clean Heat Standard received pushback from colleagues across the aisle.

“So I’m just wondering if you envision any plan for dealing with the issue of climate pollution?” said Vice Chair Representative Scott Campbell. “If we were to repeal this, what’s supposed to replace it? What are we gonna do to deal with this problem that I think we all acknowledge is a problem?”

“Yeah. I don’t have any answer for you,” said Representative Harrison. “…You know, I’d like to say we could probably find a way to leverage more federal funding and help, but it may not be realistic today. I don’t have a good answer for you. I’m just telling you the political reality is I’ve heard a lot of pushback from my constituents on this particular issue, and I think others have as well.”

Republicans not only introduced bills to change existing laws, they introduced bill H.62, a bill that would completely remove items such as the 2020 Global Warming Solutions Act. Every piece of climate policy is in some way related to GWSA.

H.62 would change carbon emissions reduction mandates back to goals. 

“I just can’t believe that we put our residents in a position like this when we talk about mandates,” said Representative Mark Higley about the mandated carbon reduction benchmarks that make it possible for any third party to sue the state. “Think about it now. So this was in 2020. We have had a pandemic since. We’ve had a recession to some degree and a couple of wars, and we’re gonna move along without any bump in what we’re trying to achieve whatsoever. I mean, that to me is outrageous from my perspective as representing some rural Vermonters.” 

Proposed Trump Administration tariffs were one of the driving forces of this committee meeting. Volatile energy prices due to a potential trade war between the United States and Canada and the potential loss of federal funding have forced all members to rethink their strategy, including the VTGOP. If a corresponding 10% tariff from Canada happens this would add about 25 cents per gallon, Matt Cota, representing the Vermont Fuel Dealers, said. 

“I think we have an absolute moral obligation to protect Vermonters from flooding and extreme heat and extreme cold and all of the things that are coming our way,” Representative Bram Kleppner argued.  

“And thinking through the future and how we balance today’s needs with future needs. You know, I think Vermont’s emissions are something like seven one-thousandths of one percent of global emissions or something like that,” acknowledging Vermont’s tiny contribution to carbon emissions. “Let’s kinda set aside our contribution to global warming and look at the other reasons to reduce emissions…I think there are a few good reasons for us to be concerned about emissions other than global warming. One is Vermonters’ health,” Kleppner said. 

“There is meaningful data on the health effects of car exhaust and truck exhaust and indoor pollution from oil furnaces, indoor pollution from gas ranges, all these things. And we even heard testimony that weatherization improves Vermonters respiratory health. There are fewer visits to the hospital, so there are meaningful reasons to reduce emissions for Vermonters’ health.”

Republicans also introduced H.65, which seeks to end Vermont’s adoption of California’s stricter vehicle tail-pipe emissions standards. In accordance with California, Vermont has utilized Section 177 of the Clean Air Act which allows California and around 17 other states  (including CT, MA, ME, RI, and NY) to regulate tail-pip emissions to a higher standard.In September 2022, Vermont adopted California’s Advanced Clean Car and Advanced Clean Truck Regulations, in accordance with the GWSA as a means to meet the ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Vermont. This includes a mandated goal that 35% of inventory sent from manufacturers into Vermont must be electric by 2026, and 100% by 2035. 

Of the nine members three are Republicans and six are Democrats. Both the chair and vice chair are Democrats with a history of supporting climate change legislation subject to appeal under the proposed bills. 

Below is a full list of bills Republicans introduced in committee yesterday. Click here for a description of each bill.

H. 16 – Repealing the Affordable Heat Act

H. 52 – Changing the greenhouse gas emission reduction requirements to goals

H. 62 – Repealing the Global Warming Solutions Act

H. 65 – Revoking Vermont’s use of California’s Clean Air Act waiver

See all bills assigned to the House Committee on Energy and Digital Infrastructure here. Constituents may contact committee members (click link on name for bio, party affiliation, etc.) with comments, questions and information at the following email addresses: 

Rep. Kathleen James, Chair kjames@leg.state.vt.us

Rep. R. Scott Campbell, Vice Chair scampbell@leg.state.vt.us

Rep. Laura Sibilia, Ranking Member lsibilia@leg.state.vt.us

Rep. Richard Bailey rbailey@leg.state.vt.us

Rep. Christopher Howland chowland@leg.state.vt.us

Rep. Bram Kleppner bkleppner@leg.state.vt.us

Rep. Christopher Morrow cmorrow@leg.state.vt.us

Rep. Michael “Mike” Southworth msouthworth@leg.state.vt.us

Rep. Dara Torre, Clerk dtorre@leg.state.vt.us

All committee transcripts are available at www.goldendomevt.com. Committee meeting video available at the committee’s YouTube channel. Or you can attend in person they meet in room 32.