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“I would be surprised if the Clean Heat Standard moves forward this year, or put another way, I don’t expect there to be any push to move it forward.”
– Sen. Anne Watson, Washington County
By Guy Page
Gov. Phil Scott and at least two Democrat senators say it’s unlikely the Clean Heat Standard progresses next year, at least not in its present form.
Wednesday, Nov. 13, in his first press conference since the Nov. 5 election that saw him re-elected and handed enough Republican votes to sustain his vetoes, Scott cast doubt on the future of the Clean Heat Standard law, which requires a ‘checkback’ vote on costs before implementing the complicated plan to in effect tax fossil-based heating fuels to pay for heating buildings with ostensibly lower-carbon electricity.
A state-mandated study reported this fall that reaching Vermont’s carbon reduction goals in the time allotted in the Global Warming Solutions Act would cost between 70 cents and $4 per gallon. Even GWSA shepherd Sen. Chris Bray of Addison County (ousted at the election) said such implementation costs are a non-starter.
Amen, said Scott Wednesday. And, he added, the Legislature should also fix the law that begat the Clean Heat Standard.
“Another act that I vetoed and was overridden on was the Global Warming Solutions Act. I believe that there needs to be a suggestion [to the Legislature] there,” Scott told the press. “I don’t believe the dates are attainable.”
Vermont is required to reduce its GHG emissions 26% below 2005 GHG emission levels by January 1, 2025; 40% below 1990 GHG emission levels by January 1, 2030; and 80% below 1990 GHG emission levels by January 1, 2050.
Scott said he believes climate change is real and that Vermont should reduce emissions. He’s okay with the Big Picture of the GWSA. But not at a pace that inflicts such harm on consumers.
With 13 Republicans almost certain to agree, the demise of the current Clean Heat Standard needs just two Democrats to say ‘whoa.’ In the event of a tie, GOP Lt. Gov. John Rodgers will cast the tie-breaker with his new GOP brethren.
VDC can now identify at least two of those likely Dem votes, thanks to a reader and Washington County resident who forwarded comments from two re-elected senators indicating that, even in the unlikely event that every Dem senator voted to go forward, they won’t.
“It was never my intention to ‘fleece’ anyone including myself. That’s why Act 18 required fiscal analysis and a second vote. Now that the numbers are in, I think it is safe to assume the bill will not pass in its present form.”
– Sen. Ann Cummings (Washington County)
The retired state employee wrote: “Sink Act 18! Please do not shoot Vermonters in the foot just to out woke other states that in reality can not afford it either! I hope that I do not have to remind you that the results of the elections last week hopefully sent an unambiguous message that the citizens of this state have run out of patience, and are fast running out of money to send to Montpelier. We just don’t have the money! Fleecing us any further is just going to reinforce the belief that our elected representatives don’t listen to us, and in fact do what they do for ‘our’ own good, because we, the people, don’t know what is good for us. Is that what you think?”
Sen. Anne Watson – a ‘climate hawk’ who has sponsored or co-sponsored carbon reduction legislation – responded: “I would be surprised if the Clean Heat Standard moves forward this year, or put another way, I don’t expect there to be any push to move it forward.”
Sen. Ann Cummings answered: “It was never my intention to ‘fleece’ anyone including myself. That’s why Act 18 required fiscal analysis and a second vote. Now that the numbers are in, I think it is safe to assume the bill will not pass in its present form.”
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Categories: Legislation
Any legislator that want to remain as a legislator, better vote the boondoggle down or they will be finding a new employment in the next cycle.
We want Vermont to be Vermont, we have common sense on what we need and what we can afford, we don’t want or need this boondoggle, maybe our legislators should work on ” Taxes & Debt “….. common sense stuff !!
Legislators, tell your special interest money bags to head west with there nonsense,
we don’t need them or there agenda.
They also need to work on the spending by repealing the garbage legislation they have been ramming down our throats. No more junk bills unless they eliminate progressive programs that financially hurt everyone.
Just look at the money that rolls into Montpelier just on sales, lodging and internet sales taxes. When I buy something in California, why should I be required to give Vermont any money? I call that legalized theft. Sales taxes should only be paid on Vermont products by VT merchants. The money we pay these additional taxes with has already been taxed by the state and federal government. Everything you buy or use like the internet, your phone, your electric bill, etc. is paid with money that’s already been taxed.
If we added up all the taxes and surcharges, we pay on everything, we would be shocked at how little is left to pay other necessities like food, heat, vehicles, mortgage, rent, insurances, MV fees etc.. We have allowed all this to happen. When the next election rolls around there should be another round of firings until they correct themselves and get their boots and high heels off our throats. The money well is dried up.
Watch out for the weasel words “in its current form.” REPEAL ACT 18! Period. Don’t pass it in ANY form. FYI, Sen Tom Chittenden (D-Chittenden SE) also said on facebook he would not support it.
Just remember, that’s the same Thomas Chittenden who sold Vermonters out on redistricting for equal representation.
My confidence in Mr. Chittenden not being a lap dog for Phil Baruth is low.
With the announcement of 3 Democratic Senator, there is also the reality of amending the Global Warming Solutions Act. Strike the mandate and the right of citizens to file lawsuits. Replace it with a Vermont Strong set of goals to achieve any carbon reduction that reduces Vermonters’ cost of living. Do what we can for the globe but lower the cost of heating and electrifying our homes and buildings; encourage tele-commuting and expand a customer friendly mass-transit.
The S.5 fiasco was a creature of the GWSA, Climate Council and NGOs. Raising funds for global warming to campaign on the Paris Climate Accord came easy. Technical expertise was far outweighed by attorneys. How many S.5 architects know there are 3,412 BTUs/kilowatt-hour?
My newly elected Senator Steven Heffernan agreed to possibly introduce an Alternative to Act 18 in January. It will expand the O.E.O. Weatherization Assistance Program. It is the Alternative that PUC Commissioner McNamara ordered will be considered in his report to the Legislature. The Senator’s bill increases Weatherization Assistance Program installers’ salary by $10 over several years; provides cost-free WAP services to lower median income households and joins VEIC to the WAP Program.
Vermont must reverse course on the idea that 100% renewable energy can power the grid. Vermont is one of the worse states for solar panel performance. Last winter was a good example. There was heavy, slow moving cloud cover for weeks at a time that reduced solar panel performance to a trickle. Slow moving weather systems also meant low wind availability for wind turbines. Batteries are no solution. They work for hours not days or weeks.
Regardless of the amount of solar panels, wind turbines and batteries that are installed there will by times when the conventional grid (natural gas and nuclear) will be the only thing that works. These sources must be paid whether they are generating electricity or not. Its called capacity payments. So we pay for highly subsidized wind, solar and batteries as well as capacity payments for the reliable, controllable generators.
How about we pay just once, for the affordable, reliable sources that work 24/7?
Coming next is China battery powered flying car. This will be you states next investment to help the shareholders of these companies.
“In it’s present form.” That sounds like former Senator Dick McCormick’s saying, “It depends how it’s written” as to whether or not he would vote for it. Of course, he always did as that bill meant a tax increase.
Did Senator’s Cummings and Watson just have an epiphany or did the thought they could be the next to go have a play in this!
VERMONTERS – Would you PLEASE show up at the state house – attend the feakin’ Committee meetings via Zoom or… better – in PERSON. Figure out what is in your “wheel house” to work on, and get on it!
The “””LEECHES””” AKA: Special interest hawk lobbyists are there 24/7 – YOU need to be there too! It ain’t difficult! You must protect YOUR own intersts.
You need to do your homework in order to get the information.
For example:
1) I am interested in subjects that cover landlords so I sign up for Vermont LandLord Association Newsletter.
2) I am interested in Rural Water so I sign up for the Rural Water newsletter and pay the annual fee.
3) I sign up for Health Choice in order to find out what bills our State House Committees are considering. Some of these FREAKIN bills are seriously Freedom sucking., etc.
You MUST sign up for newletters and such that will alert you to State House Committee meetings so that YOU can have a voice.
Note: as a landlord I am attending the November 18 Monday Morning at 8 am in State House Room # 9 – where legislators and “leeches” are meeting in order to tax our landlords AND tenants more in order to pay the “leeches’ salaries.
Show up!!!, you people or you will have more of the same!
How about someone does an article about the 581 registered lobbyists in Montpelier who influence the legislation that is passed by our representatives and senators! See who they represent as clients, and what legislation is passed that supports those interests! The Chris Bray and Maggie Lenz alliance is only a tip of the iceberg!
To a lot of outside interests, Vermont is treated as a petri dish. A small state requiring less money to achieve the end goal. That is why I would love to see no out of state money allowed . A pipe dream ? Probably, but less money in lobbying might dissuade some of the less scrupulous politicians from even running for office.
Now that bray is unemployed, there must be a position for him at leonine media, perhaps?
And repeal the Global Warming Solutions Act asap so this bs will not come back again.
The writing appearing on the wall and the headlines of the fraud and corruption being exposed will turn some to change from their wicked ways. When the feeding trough is running low, nearly dry, and there is no where to run, that is also very convincing. It was a good run while the well heeled traitors ran rimshod over the entire country. Now, some of them are running for their lives or falling on their swords. Hallelujah!
why are these idiots still working (lol) for the people of Vt, they absolutely disgust me, and as Maxine Watters said, “they’re not welcome anymore”!