Vt. lawmakers to weigh climate policy options

MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) — Both supporters and critics of Vermont’s Clean Heat Standard will speak on the matter today.

Supporters include healthcare workers with the Vermont Climate Health Alliance, and they want the legislature to keep the Clean Heat Standard.

It’s part of the Affordable Heat Act passed in 2023 which requires fossil fuel wholesalers in Vermont to reduce emissions to meet state targets. However, there’s been a push to roll back the policy.

That’s a move Vermont’s Climate Alliance says hurts the environment and Vermonters’ health.

Critics say it increases heating prices and the cost of living in the state.

A recent study found the standard isn’t “a good fit for Vermont” and will raise the cost of heating oil by up to 58 cents in ten years.

Clean Heat Standard supporters will be in the Cedar room at 12 on Wednesday and people calling for its repeal will rally outside the statehouse from 12 to 1.

Now that the Democratic party has lost the super majority, the future of the Affordable Heat Act is unclear.

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