People should be helped to transition to electric heat, not punished, Scott says
by Guy Page
Gov. Phil Scott Friday announced his veto of S.5, the so-called Affordable Heating Act. An attempted veto override by the Legislature is virtually guaranteed.
S.5 would transition heating Vermont buildings away from market-based fossil fuels and to a state-regulated electrification. It would be paid for largely by carbon taxes assessed on wholesale fuel dealers.
A veto session is reportedly set for June 20. A spokesperson for House Speaker Jill Krowinski said in media reports he’s confident there are 100 votes to override. The final roll call vote on S.5 was 98-46.
Vermonters wishing to contact lawmakers may find contact information here.
Governor Phil Scott Friday issued the following statement:
“From the start of this conversation, I have clearly, and repeatedly, said I agree we need to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, including in the thermal sector. However, I strongly believe the right approach is to help people make the transition, not financially punish those who cannot afford to do so.
“Unfortunately, the Super Majority in the Legislature decided to take a completely different approach by giving an unelected commission, the Public Utility Commission (PUC), the power to design and adopt a system — without guaranteeing the details and costs will be debated transparently through the normal legislative process, in full view of their constituents.
“For these reasons and more, I will veto S.5, and I’m asking Vermonters, even the many who have already contacted their legislators, to make their voices heard and ask their representatives and senators to sustain this veto.
“When I resisted the Legislature’s original approach to the bill, they inserted a ‘check back’ provision, saying it satisfied my concerns. It does not. Some claimed the bill is essentially a study. It is not.
“As recently as Thursday’s debate on the Senate floor, Senators from both parties have called the check back in the bill contradictory and confusing. Even Democratic senators who voted for the bill acknowledged the check back is a ‘leap of faith,’ meaning a future Legislature could interpret the language much differently and only pass legislation that rubber stamps the rules and insulates themselves from the tough policy conversations, including details and costs. I believe it is irresponsible to move forward on a policy with such enormous consequences based on a ‘leap of faith.’
“Contrary to the claims of some of the bill’s proponents, components of this program will begin implementation as early as this July – long before the legislative check back in 2025. Over, and over again, I have said if the Legislature truly intended for this policy to be transparently debated in a future legislative session, it would be crystal clear, in plain language, and there wouldn’t be this much confusion and contradiction.
“This is not the kind of government Vermonters expect or deserve. But I will continue to stand up for them.”
Categories: Legislation
Once again, I’ve written to all those who are elected to represent me but have failed to do so with each of their votes on S.5.
It’s my last ditch effort. What’s next if they override the veto? Selling my house and leaving this God forsaken state. Like the song says:
You’ve got to know when to hold ’em
Know when to fold ’em
Know when to walk away
And know when to run
Call/Email Senator Dick Sears of Bennington and beg him to stand by his constituents and not partisan politics. He initially voted no on S.5 in committee, citing genuine concerns about the bill. Under pressure from the Senate President Pro Tem, Dem/Prog Philip Baruth, Sears changed his votes on the floor to a yes. But it was he woh the governor quoted as saying this is a “leap of faith.” With so much cost and literally jobs and lives on the line, working Vermonters deserve better stewardship than a leap of faith. rsears@leg.state.vt.us, (802) 442-9139
I have emailed Representative Sears. Thank you!
Sears will go with exactly what his Democrat party buds want – NOT what the people he took an oath to serve want.
Thank you Governor Scott. Many of his points are great but taking a broader view It makes no sense to put all our energy needs in one basket : namely the “all electric” basket. Take a look at California where they regularly have trouble meeting current electrical demand even before the EV’s take over.
The common sense approach would be an “all of the above” strategy that electrifies some vehicles , particularly fleet vehicles like the US Postal Service with predictable and relatively short routes.
And utilizing the fuel that allowed the US to meet Paris Climate Accord goals while generating vast amounts of much needed electricity, namely Natural Gas. This fuel is in abundant supply beneath American soil.
And let’s not forget that wood heat (from an abundant renewable native source can still make a huge contribution.
Thank you, Governor!
THANK YOU GOVERNOR.
MY LETTER TO MY REPRESENTATIVES READS:
28APR2023
DEAR LEGISLATOR
BY THIS TIME YOU KNOW GOV. SCOTT HAS VETOED S.5 AND HIS REASONING FOR THIS ACTION.
AS I PREVIOUSLY TOLD YOU IN MY EARLIER E-MAIL, VOTING TO OVERIDE THE GOVERNORS VETO IN FAVOR OF THIS BILL IS THE WORST THING YOU CAN DO TO THE POOR PEOPLE, ALL THE PEOPLE, LIVING IN VERMONT.
EVERY DOLLAR, WHETHER 2 BILLION OR TEN, TO SUBSIDIZE THE “UNAFFORDABLE HEATING BILL” IS WIDELY OPPOSED BY YOUR CONSTITUENTS.
THE BILL’S SUPPORT BY THE UTILITIES IS SELF SERVING. REMEMBER HIGHER COSTS HELP LIMIT PRIVATE COMPETITION THAT DOESN’T HAVE COST PLUS PRICING PROTECTION.
EVERY DOLLAR IS NOT AVAILABLE TO THE TAXPAYER OR MONTPELIER TO PAY FOR OTHER NEEDS IF SPENT ON S.5.
AS I WROTE BEFORE, THIS IS NOT A TRADE OFF. THERE IS NO MEASURABLE GLOBAL WARMING RESULT.
DO YOUR DUTY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
Milton A. Eaton
86 Brets Road
Brattleboro, VT 05301
802 376-0619
S.5 is big bad government making big bad policy into law. Being that this flawed and corrupt law makes it to the Governor’s desk is a belligerent middle-finger to the citizens of Vermont. “State regulated (key words) electrification.” How does one “electrify” anything without fossil (biggest lie of all) fuels? Carbon tax – translation: the big lie is forced down our throats like it or not. Assessment on wholesale fuel dealers – translation: for-profit corporations and businesses do not absorb surcharges and additional taxes. The price points are adjusted accordingly and the consumer pays the surcharge and taxes.
Our critical “electric” infrastructure is largely owned and controlled by a foreign conglomerate on foreign soil. Our “fossil” fuels are also largely owned and controlled on foreign soil. It appears the wholesale sellout to foreign entities is well near completion.
As long as we keep feeding the beast, the beast will keep feeding on us. Their fuel is our money How many people would be willing to stop paying, refuse to pay, and drown them in defaults rather than forcing us into default? The country is all ready bankrupt – why are we still pretending this is not so and going along with a fake regime, a fake economy, and a dead currency?
The Feast
By Ellin Anderson
I munched a feast of hazelnuts —
The blackbird left his bed of reeds
To cheer me up with puffs and struts,
And joined me for a feast of seeds.
And when wild grapes were on the vine
In silhouette against the sky,
I dined on red grapes, cheese, and wine
While partridges ate grapes nearby.
A chocolate bar — a dollar bill
I didn’t even know I had
May not add much to fortune’s till,
But still, the finding made me glad.
And then, the brandishers of pride
From golden turrets gross and tall
Said that the little lives we’d tried
Were never really lives at all.
Unsatisfied in Babylon,
They locked our little feast away —
How well those harpies feasted on
The desolation of their prey!
This is why democrats use democracy. 51% ruling the 49% with 100% compliance. Your founding fathers gave you the means and the duty to remove tyrannts from office…
Atleast someone in Montpelier has a brain between their ears. Affordable heating act my ass
S.5 would transition heating Vermont buildings away from market-based fossil fuels and to a state-regulated electrification. It would be paid for largely by carbon taxes assessed on wholesale fuel dealers.
Take note of “State regulated electrification”
It is bad enough already that we have NO CHOICE who we buy our electricity from already. We also have no choice who we buy natural gas from.
Screw you all in Montpeculier !! Bye bye VT ! This native knows when to get the hell out !
Gov Scott notes that a representative stated that a future legislature might rubber stamp this law, thinking that it has been fully vetted and ready to pass. That is hardly the case. He also comments that this legislation would be up to some unknown interpretation. Now where have we heard that before? Think Article 22. Look where we are now with trans people taking over, sex changes at any age without parents’ knowledge or consent, or even knowing that insurance companies are not consulted or used (probably taxpayers covering the cost instead). We also are looking at PP dictating sexual language in school settings, making pregnancy crisis centers illegal as they allegedly do not have medical personnel on board (does PP have medical personnel present and botch abortions?). Now we also have trans students being allowed to play on other genders sports teams ( I see Brittany Greiner on tv as she towers over everyone and speaks in a masculine voice – makes me wonder if she is a transgender). The end times are coming as predicted by many of these signs, such as daughter against mother-in-law, etc. as well as earthquakes, storms, wars, etc we are not in good graces, so we better pray and be prepared.