As the sun is finally brightening our days again, we’re excited to welcome you back to the last installment of Climate Dispatch for this legislative session.
The time has come – the legislative session is coming to a close. This year has been one of ups and downs. As much as this has been a difficult session, it’s because YOU and hundreds of other activists all around the state held the line on climate action in Vermont that we have something to show for it. Not only have we staved off the worst, we’ve made small steps forward in advancing Vermont’s energy transition in the face of ever-increasing threats from an unpredictable federal administration and a recalcitrant Governor.
Just yesterday, we passed S.50 – or the “25 is the new 15” bill – securing expedited registration for larger-scale solar developments and ensuring our regulations keep pace with the remarkable technological advancements we’ve seen in the industry this past decade. We also secured funding to study the far-reaching effects of climate disasters in our state and kept to our promise to hold big oil accountable through the Climate Superfund Act, despite increasing threats from the Justice Department.
Amid all of that progress, we’ve consistently held the line on keeping Vermont accountable to its climate commitments laid out in the Global Warming Solutions Act. They tried, once, twice, and even a third time to circumvent the deliberative committee process to slow the energy transition and let the fossil fuel industry off the hook. Each and every time, the buck stopped with you.
Today’s episode
Today, we have a conversation about the progress we’ve made this session, the importance of staying engaged and vigilant against future assaults on our climate, and how we can keep this fight going by building connections and working with one another in our communities to secure a more just future for Vermont.
Call to Action
As the legislative calendar recedes into the background, we want to keep you tied in with all of the important work that Vermonters are doing to band together against the rising tide of anti-science, anti-progress sentiments in Vermont and across the country.
One great way to stand up is to take to the streets for a NO KINGS rally in one of many communities across the state on June 14th. NO KINGS is a national day of action and mass mobilization in response to increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption from Trump and his allies.
As Vermonters of all stripes come together, sign up here to get connected with your neighbors and find out how we can advance this fight and keep moving forward.
Thank you for ALL you do!
Johanna Miller & Dan Fingas
Vermont Natural Resources Council
Vermont Conservation Voters