Phil Scott vs. David Zuckerman on Climate Change

 How do Phil Scott and David Zuckerman

Compare on Climate Change Issues?

Phil Scott

From VT Digger, A short biography:

“Phil was raised in Barre until his dad died, when Phil was 11, from

injuries sustained in the D-Day invasion. Phil went to Spaulding High

School taking college prep courses in the mornings and vocational

tech classes in the afternoon. He went on to the University of

Vermont, studying to be a Tech Ed teacher. But, after a year of

student teaching, concluded business was in his blood. He started

his first, a boat rental and lawn mowing service, at the age of 18. A

few years later, he opened a motorcycle shop. He then went to work

for Dubois Construction and worked his way up from day laborer to

foreman, eventually buying the company. Phil's experience as a

young entrepreneur and as a co-owner taught him how many

challenges employers face. To bring the voice of working families to

Montpelier, he ran for the Senate in 2000 and served for 10 years.”

Is climate change a major concern? What should the state do to stem

carbon emissions?

“No response”

From VT Conservation Voters: Vermont Conservation Voters

Endorses David Zuckerman for Governor

August 25, 2020

Montpelier, VT

.......”In contrast to Lt. Governor Zuckerman’s positions, Governor

Phil Scott vetoed legislation to hold large polluters accountable for

medical expenses for people impacted by toxic chemical exposure.

Scott has also expressed concerns about the Global Warming

Solutions Act, calling for changes that would remove the core

provisions of the policy that actually hold State government

accountable for meeting our climate pollution reduction targets. In

four years as Governor, Scott has only put forward very modest

climate change proposals, despite the barrage of studies in recent

years showing the urgency of action and the economic opportunity

for Vermont in transitioning to clean energy”.........

From Seven Days, September 23, 2020

......."Scott's critics fault him for opposing wind power generation,

proposing cuts to clean energy and efficiency programs, and vetoing

two bills that would allow Vermonters to sue polluting companies for

medical monitoring costs. They also worry he'll refuse to sign off on

the Transportation and Climate Initiative, a regional compact that

would effectively raise the wholesale price of gasoline and diesel fuel

and invest the proceeds in clean energy.”

"Despite the fact that he says he believes climate change is real and

Vermont has to do its part, he just hasn't shown a lot of leadership or

willingness to do much beyond the status quo," said Rep. Sarah

Copeland Hanzas (D-Bradford), who cochairs the legislature's

Climate Solutions Caucus. "It's perplexing and

disappointing.”...........

.......”Scott also defended his recent veto of the Global Warming

Solutions Act, drawing an unexpected comparison to a statement he

issued arguing that the late U.S. Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader

Ginsburg should not be replaced until the next president takes office.

"I think what people have to understand is that I believe in process,"

he said. "It's not about the bill itself or climate change. It's about

process."

“In Scott's view, the Global Warming Solutions Act is unconstitutional

because it empowers an unelected board to determine how the state

should meet its carbon emissions goals”......

David Zuckerman

From VT Digger, a short biography:

“My name is David Zuckerman, I am the Lieutenant Governor of

Vermont as well as the co-founder of Full Moon Farm, a VOF-certified

organic farm in Hinesburg, Vermont. I was first inspired to run in 1994

by then-Congressman Sanders. I have served for fourteen years

(1997-2010) in the Vermont House of Representatives representing

the City of Burlington. I then served in the Vermont Senate between

2012 and 2016 when I was elected Lieutenant Governor. I am now

running to be the next governor of Vermont. I first became involved in

politics way back in college because of the climate crisis where I

helped organize the 20th anniversary of Earth Day at UVM in 1990.”

Is climate change a major concern? What should the state do to stem

carbon emissions?

“As an organic farmer and an environmental activist, I believe that

how we treat the earth is a reflection of how we value ourselves and

our children’s future. A prime directive of organic farming is to build

the soil and to leave it healthier than when we first became a steward

of the land. By applying that sentiment to every aspect of our lives we

can build a better future for all. I bring that enrichment philosophy to

all of my work, farming, family and public service. When I began my

run for governor, I articulated exactly how we would move Vermont

towards a renewable energy transition. We could capture a portion of

the regressive Trump Tax cuts from the wealthiest Vermonters and

invest that money in areas that would help our Vermont economy

while also reducing our carbon footprint. Specifically, I would invest in

renewable energy projects across the state that will put Vermonters to

work in good paying jobs. I would invest in broadband to ensure that

Vermonters in rural areas can work remotely. I would significantly

increase funding for weatherizing our aging housing stock to reduce

energy use across the state. I would continue to incentivize

regenerative agriculture rather than reactive fixes to systemic

problems. Importantly, these programs and projects will be designed

so BIPOC, working-class and fixed-income elder Vermonters will be

able to access these programs, rather than tax breaks that only the

wealthiest (mostly white) Vermonters are most able to take advantage

of. This investment is and will be multi-purpose: support struggling

Vermonters by creating jobs in renewable energy, weatherization, and

other green infrastructure activities. It will address both the current

economic downturn and climate crises simultaneously. As Governor, I

will also explore flipping our current administration’s policies that

support utilities over our small solar installers. Creating a grid capable

of handling renewable energy sources should not rest with our small

solar businesses. We will also ensure that Vermont workers and

unions are involved as we keep our promises to reduce both

emissions and to reduce our reliance on fossil fuel sources. I support

the Green New Deal as national legislation. I also want to work

towards a Green Mountain New Deal for Vermont and a regional New

England Green New Deal. These programs would take into account

the specific strengths of Vermont’s and New England’s land and

economy. Addressing the climate crisis has been a driving force

throughout my entire life and career beginning with organizing the

Earth Day celebrations at UVM in 1990. This issue has only become

more important to me as I have become an organic farmer and

worked the land.”

Zuckerman for Governor Website:

On the environment...

.........”We believe that it is important to do everything we can to

listen to our youth and step up to stop climate change. Despite

laudable goals, our carbon emission rates are the highest per capita

in New England! We must address this issue for our children and

grandchildren and because older and rural Vermonters deserve the

economic opportunities that local solutions will bring. We can do this

in a way that builds jobs in our rural areas and strengthens our

economy and our resilience to future storms.

We will work toward a future where Vermonters’ primary energy

sources are renewable and sustainable — built and maintained by

hardworking Vermonters and small businesses right here in the state.

We will ensure that Vermont workers and unions are involved as we

keep our promises to reduce emissions and reliance on fossil fuel

sources.

We will ensure the solutions that we put forward reduce working

Vermonters’ energy bills by investing in opportunities like

weatherization, which improves health, conserves energy, creates

jobs, and helps struggling Vermonters and seniors pay their bills and

put food on the table.

We will support an invigorated agricultural economy that will create

jobs in communities around our state. By working with farmers to

build healthy soil for their farms, we will reduce further water quality

degradation and create the best chance of mitigating flood impacts

by holding phosphorous and other nutrients in the soil and

sequestering carbon.”

From VT Conservation Voters:

Vermont Conservation Voters Endorses David Zuckerman for

Governor

August 25, 2020

Montpelier, VT – “Today, Vermont Conservation Voters (VCV)

announced its endorsement of David Zuckerman for Governor of

Vermont. While serving as Lieutenant Governor, and during his nearly

20-year tenure in the Vermont House and Senate, David Zuckerman

has been a consistent and effective leader on issues aligned with

Vermont Conservation Voters’ mission of protecting our environment,

promoting healthy and equitable communities, and creating a thriving

democracy.

“As we face simultaneous public health, economic, racial justice, and

climate crises, we need a leader with a forward-looking vision on how

to create a better Vermont for everyone who lives here. We can’t

afford to simply stay the course when it’s been failing to meet the

needs of so many Vermonters – even before the pandemic struck,”

said Lauren Hierl, executive director for Vermont Conservation Voters.

“David Zuckerman is the leader we need right now, with the vision for

rebuilding and recovering our economy in a way that makes us

stronger and more resilient to current and future challenges.”

Lieutenant Governor David Zuckerman added, “I am deeply honored

to receive the endorsement from Vermont Conservation Voters. Over

my many years of service, I have worked closely with VCV to protect

Vermont’s land and waters, to expand programs that will help us meet

our carbon emission goals, and to protect Vermonters from toxins in

the environment. Their role in keeping our people and state safe and

healthy cannot be overstated and I look forward to continuing their

work with them as Vermont’s next Governor.”.......

Zuckerman Campaign Ad

From Seven Days, September 23, 2020

......”The way he (Zuckerman) sees it, Scott's record has never

matched his rhetoric. "He's talked about the climate many times, but

the scale of many of his proposals [is] paltry compared to the urgency

of the moment," Zuckerman said”........

From WAMC, The Roundtable

Vermont Gubernatorial Candidates Debate Climate And Social

Justice Issues, June 25, 2020

(Note: “Republican Governor Phil Scott did not participate in the

forum. He said he will not campaign while he is dealing with the

COVID-19 pandemic.”)

.....”Zuckerman: “We really have to invest in a major way to really

transition our economy including supporting things like carbon

sequestration in agriculture and sequestering carbon from the

atmosphere.”......