All Posts in Category: News Updates

Early last week, the House Appropriations Committee voted unanimously to include a ‘climate package’ in their version of the budget, including $120,000 for an impartial economic analysis of carbon pricing. Then late Friday evening, the full House voted in favor of the budget on a 122-10 vote! The budget now…

Legislators are home for Town Meeting this week – marking ‘halftime’ for the 2018 legislative session. It’s been an exciting year for carbon pricing, but there’s still a long ways to go. Here’s a snapshot of where carbon pricing stands half-way through the session, as well as a recap of…

On a balmy morning in February, the House Committee on Natural Resources, Fish, and Wildlife advanced H.763 – legislation that calls for a non-partisan, independent economic analysis of different carbon pricing options in Vermont, including the ESSEX Plan. The bill was passed out of committee on a 5-4 vote. This…

Today, two dozen House legislators announced carbon pricing bill H.791 as part of a coordinated, multi-state effort. This is a companion bill to S.284, the Senate version introduced by Senators Chris Pearson and Alison Clarkson earlier this month. Lead sponsor Representative Sarah Copeland-Hanzas modeled H.791 after the ESSEX Plan by pricing carbon…

The ESSEX Plan to put a price on carbon pollution took a huge step forward on Wednesday morning. At the Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) legislative breakfast, Sen. Chris Pearson and Rep. Sarah Copeland-Hanzas committed to developing a bill based on the ESSEX Plan. The two legislators are saying they…

Last week, Ashley Orgain of Seventh Generation, an EIV business supporter, unveiled a new plan to price carbon pollution at the 2017 Vermont Energy and Climate Summit. Of all the policy pitches made at the summit, Orgain’s was voted the most popular by attendees – by far. Orgain calls it…

The third Vermont Climate Action Commission public hearing took place Thursday night in St. Albans City Hall Auditorium. Vermonters from Franklin, Chittenden and Grand Isle counties came to voice their concerns and make policy recommendations before a panel of 10 of the 21 appointed commissioners. Their task is significant: take…

Thursday night was a night that few who were in attendance will forget anytime soon. The atmosphere was electric as Vermonters from all over Bennington County shuffled into the amphitheater at the Burr and Burton Academy library, patiently waiting their turn to speak up before a packed crowd at the…

Earlier this month, legislators introduced four bills into the Vermont House that would reform our state’s tax system to better align with our values by putting a price on carbon pollution and returning the revenues to Vermonters, either by tax cuts or direct dividends. On Thursday, the House Natural Resources…