Thursday, April 20, the House held its initial debate and voted 98-46 to approve the Affordable Heat Act. The Affordable Heat Act requires fossil fuel corporations and utilities that import heating fuels into Vermont to reduce their climate pollution over time, in line with Global Warming Solutions Act requirements. This landmark legislation has two goals: to reduce climate pollution and to reduce the costs of home and building heating for Vermonters over time.
Following the vote, House leadership made the following comments:
Speaker of the House Jill Krowinski (left):
“The Affordable Heat Act creates opportunities for us to move toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. We need to reduce the impact of rising heating fuel prices on lower and middle-income Vermonters and help them shift to more affordable, stable home-heating solutions. This legislation is among the most meaningful actions we can take to reduce carbon emissions, build resilience, and help families transition our economy away from reliance on fossil fuels. The Affordable Heat Act is vital for our state’s environment and economy. The cost of doing nothing is too great, and we must act now.”
Rep. Amy Sheldon, Chair, House Committee on Environment and Energy (center):
“Climate change is disrupting lives all over the world, and at the same time, dramatic fluctuations in global fuel prices are hurting Vermonters. The Affordable Heat Act will enable all Vermonters to reduce the costs of heating their homes while also addressing climate change.”
Rep. Laura Sibilia, Vice Chair, House Committee on Environment and Energy (right):
“Fixed-income Vermonters, rural Vermonters, and low- and moderate-income Vermonters are being exposed to greater and greater financial and health risks as a result of the unregulated and volatile global pricing of thermal heating fuels. Vermonters this year paid $2.00 more a gallon for heating oil than they did in 2021. Vermonters with means are already reducing their use of fossil fuels to save money. The Affordable Heat Act puts us on a careful path towards a vote in 2025 that could help Vermonters and fuel sellers alike.”
You can learn more about S.5 ‘The Affordable Heat Act’ – an act relating to affordably meeting the mandated greenhouse gas reductions for the thermal sector through efficiency, weatherization measures, electrification, and decarbonization here.