Two Things: We’re asking you to reach out to your lawmakers in support of two key bills that are headed for big votes in the State House this week!
Stay informed, stay connected – two things.
Tell your Senators: Support H.289 to Modernize the Renewable Energy Standard
A bill to modernize Vermont’s Renewable Energy Standard (H.289) is headed for a vote by the full Senate this week. H.289 would reform our existing Renewable Energy Standard to meet the urgency of the climate crisis and put Vermont on a path to becoming 100% renewable by 2035, while significantly increasing new renewable generation in Vermont and the New England region. Specifically, H.289 would:
- New Renewables in Vermont: Doubles the amount of new renewables Vermont utilities are required to build in the state – in particular small and medium-sized renewables – from 10% to 20% of the electricity they deliver.
- Regional Additionality: Creates a new requirement for Vermont utilities to provide their customers with additional, new renewable energy of any size from anywhere in the region by 2035.
- 100% Renewable: Requires all Vermont utilities to provide 100% renewable electricity to their customers – by 2030 for Green Mountain Power and Vermont Electric Coop, and by 2035 for other utilities that are not already at 100% renewable.
Tell your Representatives: Support S.213 to Mitigate Flood Risk and Build Climate Resilience
A bill to help Vermont become more resilient from climate change and future flooding (S.213) is headed for a vote by the full House this week. S.213 would take important steps toward safeguarding Vermont’s communities from climate-induced flooding by protecting our wetlands and river corridors, and improving dam safety. This bill includes the following key provisions:
- River Corridor Protections: Ensures that future development can be strategically situated away from harm’s way in high-hazard river corridors through statewide oversight, allowing rivers the space needed to store and slow floodwaters.
- Wetland Protections: Helps to mitigate flood risk by improved mapping and reporting of wetlands, coupled with establishing a 2:1 wetland net-gain policy to reverse historic wetland loss.
- Dam Safety: Strengthens oversight and maintenance requirements for dam owners, as well as investing in the strategic removal of dams that are exacerbating flooding.
P.S. It’s not too late to get tickets and join us this Thursday, May 2nd, at the Woodstock Town Hall Theatre for our screening of the 2024 Wild & Scenic Film Festival! You can also consider supporting our work via our online silent auction for the event. Learn more about the event and auction!