Quick look: Timeline & updates
- March 30, 2021: The public comment portal is now live! Find it here.
- February 9, 2021: If you know of people who would be valuable additions to a subcommittee or are interested in serving yourself, please fill out this survey.
- January 15, 2021: Climate Council to submit first annual progress report to Vermont Legislature
- December 2, 2020: Climate Council holds its second meeting. The public is welcome to attend. Click here to find out how to access the meeting.
- December 3, 2020: Vermont Attorney General commits to defend Global Warming Solutions Act against any lawsuit doubting its unconstitutionality—even if brought by the Governor
- November 20, 2020: Climate Council holds its first meeting
- October 24, 2020: Climate Council appointees announced
What is the Climate Council?
Implementation of the Global Warming Solutions Act began in October 2020 with appointments to the Climate Council (official State website here). The Solutions Act transforms Vermont’s existing emission reduction goals into requirements and established the Climate Council to develop a plan to meet these mandates, to be adopted in December 2021.
VNRC’s Energy and Climate Program Director Johanna Miller, who was instrumental in the fight to advance the Solutions Act, was appointed by House Speaker Mitzi Johnson to represent a statewide environmental organization. VNRC Board member Chad Farrell, who runs Encore Renewable Energy in Burlington, will be representing the clean energy sector. Find a full list of appointees here.
Check out this helpful resource that outlines key dates for Climate Council process, the sequence of work, the structure of subcommittees, and more.
The subcommittees are:
1) Rural Resilience and Adaptation
2) Cross-Sector Mitigation
3) Just Transitions
4) Agriculture and Ecosystems
5) Science and Data
Find subcommittee members listed at this page.
For more information…
With any questions about the Climate Council, email Johanna.Miller@partner.vermont.gov. Please note: any communications in relation to the Council could be subject to a public records request.
Background on the Global Warming Solutions Act
In September 2020 the Vermont Legislature passed the Global Warming Solutions Act (H.688). It will require Vermont to lower its climate-damaging emissions while creating jobs, improving community resilience, and reducing burdens for rural and marginalized communities to access clean energy, transportation, heating, and housing. Learn more here about how the Solutions Act can usher in a resilient, green recovery from COVID-19.
The road to passage wasn’t easy. VNRC worked with a diverse 30-member coalition representing environmental, climate justice, low income, business, public health, youth, and faith organizations to advance the legislation, which passed the Vermont Senate and the Vermont House of Representatives, but was vetoed by Governor Scott.
The Global Warming Solutions Act became law on September 22, 2020 after the House (103-47) and Senate (22-8) voted overwhelmingly to override the Governor’s veto of the bill. We thank the legislators who voted YES to seize this critical opportunity for climate action!
Learn more about the Solutions Act at https://www.actonclimatevt.org/faq.
Climate Dispatch from the State House
Wondering what is happening — or not happening — at the State House on climate change? In brief live videos, we summarize what’s happening each week in the Vermont Legislature on climate and clean energy. Plus, we share easy ways you can help ensure that policymakers act on this critical issue. Find the Climate Dispatch here!
Sign up here to receive the Climate Dispatch in your inbox when a new episode comes out.
What future are we leaving our kids?
Our future is threatened by climate change — and so are Vermont’s winters. Check out this video, where the kids say it best: Big problems demand big solutions, and we can’t do it ourselves.
Please share this video widely and make sure your elected officials are articulating a concrete, meaningful plan for progress on climate change.