![]() Keith Wooster, of Kirby, called for the state to take an inventory of housing stock, referring to improving building efficiency as a “Vermont solution” that would build off long-standing electric efficiency programs. While many meeting attendees called for bolder action on climate initiatives, they also asked lawmakers to come up with creative, cost-effective ways to cut emissions that are tailored to Vermont’s rural economy. Brian Smith, R-Kirby, speaks during the forum on proposed climate legislation. ![]() Copeland-Hanzas cited two pieces of legislation that would bolster those efforts: A measure that would increase the amount of net metered solar power capacity available for schools and the consolidation of electric vehicle incentives. Campbell said a registry would also allow the state to conduct better outreach about building energy efficiency.Īnother priority for the next session is supporting the transition to electrification of heating and transportation through in-state renewable generation. Last session, lawmakers worked on legislation for registering contractors - in part to address construction fraud. “You would think that people would understand the basic concepts of building science and energy performance in buildings,” he said, “But the knowledge base in the construction industry isn’t that high.” A similar effort called the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative has helped reduce emissions from electric utilities and provided Vermont with funding for energy efficiency. Phil Scott’s administration announced that Vermont would take part in developing a regional cap and invest program, known as the Transportation Climate Initiative, for onroad gasoline and diesel. Most of Vermont’s emissions come from transportation and heating reducing emissions from those sectors has dominated recent climate policy discussions. “I’m hopeful to have a bill introduced very early in the session … that is what my committee is going to be chewing on and, without question, those targets are going to be an important thing,” he said. Sandra Levine of the Conservation Law Foundation, right, spoke to the meeting after Briglin. Tim Briglin, D-Thetford, chair of the House Energy and Technology Committee, center, speaks to a meeting of the Climate Solutions Caucus on April 11. The report quantifies climate and health benefits, such as improved air quality, from pricing policies, finding that those outstrip economic impact of policies by $7-17 million.Rep. Under all scenarios, the impact to the state’s GDP and employment would be minimal, although the consultants said that the ESSEX plan, which lowers electricity costs, could be more beneficial for businesses. Higher income Vermonters would be most negatively impacted by carbon pricing. Under the ESSEX plan, Vermonters making $70,000 or less would be see a slight economic benefit. If the revenue were returned as direct rebates or credits on electrical bills, Vermonters who make $45,000 or below would, on average, see an economic benefit from the pricing despite higher fuel costs. Hafstead said that “what you do with the revenue tends to be very important for the environmental and economic impacts of carbon pricing.” Depending on the specific policy, carbon pricing could generate between $74.7 million and $433.8 million annually in 2025.
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