We are proud to announce the release of this year’s Environmental Common Agenda, which outlines the key legislative priorities for the environment in 2023. VNRC is one of nearly 20 participating organizations involved in this publication, an annual project led by our partner, Vermont Conservation Voters (VCV).

The policy priorities identified in this year’s Environmental Common Agenda aim to help address some of the most critical challenges facing Vermont. By advancing these policies, lawmakers can put us on a path to a more resilient, just, and prosperous future. We must address the climate crisis by implementing the state’s Climate Action Plan as swiftly and equitably as possible. Policies identified in the plan will help Vermonters and local businesses have cleaner and more affordable alternatives to heat and power their buildings and get where they need to go. Further, the Plan identifies action steps to shape land use and development that store carbon, enhance our climate resilience – and, critically, to help address the housing shortage using smart growth solutions. This year, we are also calling on lawmakers to continue our nation-leading efforts to reduce our families’ exposure to toxic chemicals, and continue to take steps to ensure a healthy and accessible democracy for all.

We are calling on Vermont lawmakers to:

—Implement the Climate Action Plan to cut pollution, save Vermonters money, protect public health, and create good-paying union jobs by:
• Adopting an equitable and accountable Affordable Heating Act;
• Updating the Renewable Energy Standard to achieve 100% renewable energy and ensure development of significantly more new renewables; and
• Investing in clean transportation and mobility solutions, environmental justice, and other
critical climate initiatives.

— Build a more climate-resilient Vermont by implementing smart growth housing solutions, while better protecting our valuable forests, waters, and wetlands.

—Promote a healthier Vermont by:
• Banning toxic chemicals like PFAS from personal care products and textiles;
• Reducing plastic waste by modernizing the Bottle Bill; and
• Promoting a healthy democracy.

You can check out the Environmental Common Agenda here.

Below you can WATCH the recording of a webinar facilitated by Vermont Conservation Voters, where we joined other partner organizations to discuss the Common Agenda and top priorities for the 2023 legislative session.