This past week, we celebrated Earth Day at the state house with climate leaders across Vermont. As we all know, the federal government is charging full speed ahead to diminish our state’s autonomy to pass legislation and protect vulnerable Vermonters from the worst effects of the climate crisis.
Meanwhile, opponents to climate progress in Vermont are capitalizing on federal chaos to scare Vermonters away from taking the necessary steps to protect our communities from the worst and advance energy solutions that will improve outcomes for everyone. On Earth Day, we were joined by Attorney General Charity Clark, Treasurer Mike Pieicak, Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas, and Senate Pro-Tempore Phil Baruth in a press conference to denounce this federal overreach and to call on all state leaders to hold the line on climate. You can watch the full press conference here. We also rallied with hundreds of our allies on the State House lawn as we spoke out about the urgent need to stand up to federal cuts.
Today’s Episode
In today’s episode, we speak with Speaker of the House Jill Krowinski. Speaker Krowinski shares how we can push back on Trump’s anti-climate executive orders and program cuts and reflects on the progress we’ve made in Vermont to create an environment, and economy, that works for all of us.
Call to Action
Vermonters across the state are showing up to listening sessions to give input on the priority recommendations in this year’s redraft of the Climate Action Plan. We know that climate councilors were given a simple task: come up with a plan that gets us to the emissions reductions laid out in the Global Warming Solutions Act. In order to do that, we need a cross-sector policy that will take on the fossil fuel interests that have wreaked havoc on our planet.
If you haven’t yet joined a listening session, this is the last week to do so! Please try to join one of the last three events:
April 28, 5:30-7:30 pm: Barre City | Old Labor Hall, 46 Granite St, Barre City, VT 05641 | Register for Barre event
April 30, 5:30-7:30 pm: Rutland | Rutland Regional Planning Commission, 16 Evelyn St 2nd Floor *elevator accessible*, Rutland, VT 05701 | Register for Rutland event
May 1, 12-1:30 pm: Virtual | Register for a virtual event
If you have already attended or cannot make it to any of the remaining meetings, make sure to submit a public comment by May 1st and ask the council to craft a plan that matches the law.
Thank you for ALL you do!
Johanna Miller & Dan Fingas
Vermont Natural Resources Council
Vermont Conservation Voters