Write to Governor Scott!

Would you like to see Vermont move forward regarding Climate Change? Take real action to decrease use of fossil fuels, increase electrification, weatherize homes, all in ways that are fair and just?  Here is something you can do!

Write a brief letter or e-mail to our governor! Governor Scott could use some polite encouragement from constituents to act on climate policy and related legislation!  Scroll down if you want more detailed information, but you are encouraged to write a letter to Governor Scott as soon as possible!

You can write an e-mail or a brief letter. Below is a rough suggestion for text, but it is important to use your own wording.  Also, it is important to start with a thank you! And, if possible, include a brief personal experience.

TO: The Honorable Phil Scott, Governor

Dear Governor,

Thank you for supporting additional funding for weatherization this year.  Weatherization is important for many reasons: health, carbon reduction, comfort, home value, jobs, etc.

Climate change is a very important issue to me, because….  (personal experience if possible, or refer to children and grandchildren, or?). 

I would really like to see our state of Vermont take strong and effective actions. We can already see climate-related changes in weather in VT that are affecting agriculture and tourism, and increasing costs to towns.

I strongly encourage you to recommend that VT join other Northeastern states in the Transportation Climate Initiative. The transportation sector accounts for over 40% of our Vermont green house gas emissions, so this is really important, and we can accomplish more by working together in our region. 

Also, please support legislation that addresses climate change, such as the Transportation Modernization Act.

Thank you again. Your leadership on this issue is essential, and I am depending on you.

Sincerely,

Your Name etc.

Etc.

Use this link to send e-mail: https://governor.vermont.gov/email

Use this address to send a letter:

Executive Office of Governor Phil Scott
109 State Street, Pavilion
Montpelier, VT 05609

 

MORE INFORMATION:

Of current importance:

·         Vermont will be receiving around $200 million in one-time federal funds.  It would be wonderful if a significant amount of those funds went towards programs to address climate change issues such as weatherization, especially for low and middle income households, and projects aimed at climate resilience. (Gov. Scott has already indicated an interest in using some of the funds to support weatherization programs.)

·         The Transportation Modernization Act S.337 (Act 151) “An act relating to energy efficiency entities and programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the thermal energy and transportation sectors” is coming to the fore this year.  Rep. Tim Briglin and Rep. Jim Masland are sponsors in the House. The bill would encourage and enable increased use of electric vehicles (including education for car dealers, trade-ins for low gas and EV cars, and electric charging infrastructure including for multi-family homes).

·         The Global Warming Solutions Act was passed last fall, overcoming Governor Scott’s veto .  This act requires the state to create policies directed at decreasing fossil fuels. The Climate Council has been created (is still recruiting members), and is looking at patterning VT work after what has already been accomplished in nearby states (MA, ME), instead of reinventing the wheel. The 2022 Legislative session is likely to be dominated by the work of the Climate Council that will direct the rules and regulations to create policy and the direction of the legislation.

·         The Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) “is a regional collaboration of 12 Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states and the District of Columbia that seeks to improve transportation, develop the clean energy economy and reduce carbon emissions from the transportation sector. The participating states are: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia.”  You can find out more at: https://www.transportationandclimate.org/   Even though was encouraged to get Vermont involved, he declined. But let’s encourage him to change his position!

For more in depth information and connections to other climate activists in VT and the Upper Valley, check out these links:

·          https://vnrc.org/climate-action/

https://vermontconservationvoters.com