The legislature did not challenge the Governor's veto in the closing days of the 2022 session.
This issue was front and center all session taking up much time in a number of committees, but it will not become law following Gov. Phil Scott’s veto, which was not challenged by the legislature in the closing days of the 2022 session. The Vermont Climate Council urged the legislature to pass the Transportation Climate Initiative and the Clean Heat Standard, but neither occurred.
Background – In order to comply with the Global Warming Solutions Act, Vermont needs to lose about 1.26 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. According to this greenhouse gas emissions calculator, that’s equivalent of 124 million gallons of heating oil. Vermont could also meet the 2025 mandate if the state eliminated about half of the gasoline sold last year. Of course, this is just the first hurdle to their goal. In 2030, the law requires Vermont to shed 3.46 million metric tons of CO2, which is the equivalent of every drop of gasoline and diesel fuel sold in Vermont in 2021. So, what happens if the goal isn’t met? Vermont can be sued to force immediate government action, which could include a ban on the equipment that burns fossil fuels. Into this void comes the Clean Heat Standard (CHS), which is the most comprehensive carbon reduction strategy to emerge from the Vermont Climate Council. The CHS is a performance standard that requires Vermont fuel dealers to pay others to reduce their sales of oil heat, propane, natural gas, and kerosene if they don’t or can’t do it themselves.
What about motor fuels, you ask? The plan to reduce the sales of gasoline and diesel fuel include incentives for Vermonters to purchase electric cars and the installation of more electric vehicle charging stations. In 2035, the plan calls to ban the sale of new cars with combustion engines. Some lawmakers and lobbyists are worried all of this will be too little, too late to meet the mandates in the Global Warming Solutions Act.
