MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – What will cuts in federal climate funding, mean for Vermont’s legally binding greenhouse gas goals?
This summer, Vermont’s climate council came up with new recommendations to help the state meet its climate mandates under the Global Warming Solutions Act.
It recommends weatherizing homes, supporting compact housing development, cutting carbon on farms and more.
But top Scott Administration officials warn, without federal funds to help, these likely won’t be enough to meet Vermont’s pollution reduction mandates under the Global Warming Solutions Act.
And they warn without a significant taxpayer investment, the state will likely face a lawsuit.
“I’m not sure what they see as the path ahead, and up to and including whether we should open the Global Warming Solutions Act or just accepting the fact we are likely to be sued as a state, which I know was the Governor’s concern all along,” Vt. Natural Resources Secretary Julie Moore said.
As of now, the legislature has not moved forward with programs like the Clean Heat Standard — or a cap and invest program to cut carbon and transition off of fossil fuels.
Top democrats tell WCAX getting Vermonters off of fossil fuels will improve affordability.
They say they will be focusing on new ways this session to measure the state’s pollution progress.
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