“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.”