Environmentalists call for low-emission electricity from socially just sources

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 350Vermont is seeking to pressure utilities to sell energy using renewable sources.

 The grassroots climate justice organization 350Vermont is seeking to pressure utilities to sell energy using renewable sources while producing fewer or no greenhouse gases. The organization will do this by ratcheting up pressure on the Legislature to tighten up the state’s Renewable Energy Standard.

350Vermont and its volunteers from across the state hosted a press conference Tuesday, Nov. 28 at the statehouse in Montpelier with a video message from Bill McKibben and remarks from other climate justice advocates. 

The Renewable Energy Standard (RES) determines how much electricity utilities are required to source from renewable energy and what the definition of “renewable energy” is.

Lawmakers along with stakeholders from utilities and environmental groups have spent the fall taking another look at the RES in a Legislative Working Group. 

On Dec. 6, the working group will come out publicly with its recommendations.

As the committee debates final recommendations, 350VT and allies will reiterate the urgency of the climate crisis as the state recovers from a summer of flooding and wildfire smoke. Speakers will highlight the need for a changes to the RES — one that genuinely reduces greenhouse gas emission through more new solar and wind energy.

They will also advocate for a RES that does not count as “renewable” any energy source that still significantly adds to climate pollution. Speakers will call for Vermont to live up to its green reputation, and urge lawmakers to create the legal foundation for electricity in our state to come from 60% new wind and solar by 2035.

350Vermont cites what it says are shortcoming of the Renewable Energy Standard:

The RES definition of renewable energy includes large-scale hydropower from Hydro-Quebec, which causes significant ecological damage, produces methane emissions, and destroys traditional Indigenous lands.

The RES allows utilities to meet their renewable-energy obligations by purchasing renewable energy credits while providing nonrenewable energy.

The RES does not take into account out-of-state greenhouse gas emissions from the production of energy — like large hydro — imported by Vermont.

The RES disincentivizes in-state production of cleaner, affordable energy (like solar and wind).

“If we continue on our current path, we will not be able to meet our climate goals,” said 350Vermont spokesperson Rebecca Dalgin, in a press release.

In addition to hearing from the legislative working group and environmentalist McKibben, speakers  included farmer Jaiel Pulskamp; Earl Hatley, enrolled citizen of Missisquoi band of Abenaki Nation, environmental scientist and cofounder of LEAD Agency; and small business owner Jessica Van Oort.