This week was a mixed bag at the State House. In good news, lawmakers passed a budget that included funding to implement the Climate Superfund to hold large fossil fuel companies accountable for helping pay for the harm their products caused.

Another positive step forward was a bill that advanced through a key Senate committee to ban toxic PFAS chemicals in dental floss, cleaning products, firefighting gear and fluorinated containers (H.238). This bill will head to the Senate floor next week.

In concerning news, Governor Scott issued an unnecessary Executive Order that effectively pauses the Advanced Clean Cars II and Clean Trucks programs that Vermont has long been a part of alongside California and about a dozen other states. This program is the most impactful step the state has taken to reduce climate pollution and help Vermonters transition to clean vehicles. While a pause on enforcing the Clean Trucks program was anticipated, giving more time for the technology to evolve, it was surprising and profoundly disappointing to see Gov. Scott backpedal on our electric vehicle commitment.

Today’s episode

Learn more in this week’s Climate Dispatch video hosted by me, Lauren Hierl of VNRC, with special guests Paul Burns, Executive Director of VPIRG, and Elena Mihaly, Vice President for Vermont of the Conservation Law Foundation. We discuss the Climate Superfund, the Clean Cars and Clean Trucks executive order, and PFAS legislation.

Call to Action

Please take a moment to call or send a message to Gov. Scott expressing your disappointment in his Executive Order on the Clean Cars II program. We need to continue to build the EV market and help all Vermonters access infrastructure and incentives, not slow down the significant progress we’ve made, and we need it more than ever. Click here to find out how to reach the Governor.

You could also send a quick message to your State Senator(s) asking them to support H.238, the bill to ban toxic PFAS chemicals from dental floss, firefighting gear, cleaning products, and more (click here to find your Senator(s) contact information). Reducing exposure to these harmful chemicals will help protect our health and environment. 

Thanks for all you do, and have a great weekend!

Lauren Hierl

Vermont Natural Resources Council