Let's Hold Our Legislature Accountable to Truly Green & Just Electricity Policy for Our State!
Many of Vermont's proposed climate solutions involve transitioning to electric methods of heating and transportation - dramatically increasing our electricity use. This is an important piece of the puzzle, but electrifying can only be a solution if the electricity sources are truly clean, renewable, and just. Despite Vermont's “green” reputation, we import much of our energy from either out of state fossil fuels under the guise of renewables, old hydro-electric facilities in Quebec, and a nuclear plant in New Hampshire. Our electricity sources are not low emissions enough and we’re exporting the risks and harms of our energy needs to communities outside Vermont. We can and must do better.
This Fall, we've toured the state as part of our Empower VT Campaign. At every stop, we asked "How much of electricity in VT should come from solar and wind?" The answer: a nearly unanimous 100%. But the current law in VT that lays the legal foundation for our electricity goals, the Renewable Energy Standard (RES), only requires 10% of our electricity come from new solar and wind making us the worst in New England for new solar/wind goals.
Over the past few month, a legislative working group has been meeting to discuss changing this law. This is our chance to lay the foundation for electricity in VT that offers real solutions to kicking fossil fuels and false solutions off the grid while also considering the repercussion of our electricity needs on other communities.
A week before the legislative working group come out with their final recommendations on RES Reform , we will host a press conference at the state house directly after the working groups penultimate meeting to put additional pressure on them to support a reformed RES that requires at least 30% of our electricity come from new in state solar/wind and at least 30% come from new regional solar/wind by 2035.
Can you join us in the Cedar Creek Room at the State House on November 28th at 12:15?
Additional Details:
- Carpooling encouraged! Sign up here.
115 State St
Montpelier, VT 05602
United States
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