On Earth Day, State Leaders Highlight Efforts to Protect Vermont’s Environment from Federal Attacks
Montpelier, VT – This Earth Day, statewide elected leaders and members of Vermont’s environmental community gathered at the Vermont State House to highlight actions they’re taking to protect Vermonters from the Trump Administration’s intentional and systematic dismantling of environmental protections, human rights, and democratic institutions.
“As Attorney General, I represent Vermont in lawsuits and other actions in court, including in environmental lawsuits. I have brought the Trump Administration to court when it has violated the Constitution and federal law — so far nine times — and have joined 19 amicus or friends of the court briefs,” said Attorney General Charity Clark. “I am proud to stand up for Vermont, our sovereign rights, our values, our environment, and our democracy in this moment.”
“The right to vote in our democracy is guaranteed to all citizens, yet this administration is pushing for changes to voter eligibility that will disenfranchise millions of Americans,” said Vermont’s Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas. “This huge, unfunded Federal mandate will require Vermont voters to gather up certified copies of their citizenship documents and go in person to their Vermont town or city clerk’s office in order to remain on the voter registration list. There is no evidence of wide-spread voting by non-citizens, in fact it is extremely rare. If the Federal government decides it is important for US citizens to show proof of citizenship, it should provide these documents to Americans free of charge. The cost to participate in our democracy should not demand an ante of $10s-$100s from individual citizens just to be able to vote.”
“Vermonters can’t afford to ignore the climate crisis,” said Vermont Treasurer Mike Pieciak. “When disaster strikes, we count on the federal government to be there—but under the Trump Administration, that trust has been broken. Climate change is already threatening our way of life in Vermont, but it’s also an opportunity to make bold investments to create good-paying jobs, lower long-term costs, and build more resilient communities. Our office will continue to look for innovative ways to support our impacted communities and a climate future.”
Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Baruth added “To be clear, in the White House we have an administration and a group of cabinet officials who are undertaking a slow motion looting of our treasury. Just looting what is there is not enough, they are also looking at clearing away all the environmental regulations that have been put in place since the 1970s. For example, they
just pushed a rule change to say that endangered species are not harmed if their habitat is entirely destroyed. That shows you the ‘up is down, down is up’ philosophy that we will get from
Washington. In Vermont, we have been passing numerous laws over the past decade to ensure a healthy environment, and our mantra is protect and defend.”
Speaker Jill Krowinski stated, “Climate change is real, and its impacts are already being felt—from unpredictable winters to flooding that threatens our towns. That’s why we must lead, as we always have—with bold ideas, local solutions, and a commitment to protecting what we love. We need clean energy, not just for the planet, but for good-paying jobs. We need to preserve our forests, not just for beauty, but for carbon capture and wildlife. And we must ensure every Vermonter—no matter their ZIP code—has access to clean air, clean water, and a healthy future. On this Earth Day, let’s recommit to our environment—not just in words, but in action. The decisions we make today shape the Vermont we hand to the next generation.”
“The current federal administration is undertaking the most aggressive assault in decades on our right to breathe clean air, drink clean water, and have a livable planet,” noted Lauren Hierl, Executive Director of the Vermont Natural Resources Council. “These threats are part of a broader effort to subvert our democracy and fundamental human rights. Vermonters know these attacks on our health and communities are unacceptable, and we are fortunate to have state leaders, organizations, and activists working creatively and courageously to protect our state from these harms.”
Paul Burns, Executive Director of the Vermont Public Interest Research Group added, “On the first Earth Day 55 years ago, the fight for healthy air, clean water, open spaces, and endangered species was a unifying message. Today, those who carry the torch of leadership on these issues are attacked and maligned by a president and a party who seem hell-bent on destroying our children’s future. Well, I’ve got news for the president and any of his allies here in Vermont – we’re not giving up and we’ll never give in.”
“This Earth Day, we must fight back against the Trump Administration’s polluter agenda and defend vital environmental safeguards,” said Dan Fingas, Executive Director of Vermont Conservation Voters. “Donald Trump has used his first 100 days in office to inflict harm on people across the country, our health, our climate, and our wallets. He’s driving up costs and undermining economic growth through illegal freezes of investments in clean energy and by launching a trade war with important economic partners.”
“Today we are reaffirming Vermont’s commitment to clean air and water, renewable energy, healthy forests, and resilient communities – underpinned by a healthy democracy and fundamental human rights. Vermont state leaders and the environmental community will continue advocating for strong, state-level safeguards against federal attacks that threaten the health of our people and planet,” added Hierl.
Watch the full press conference here: