September 22, 2020 (MONTPELIER, VT) – Vermont’s Senate voted to override Governor Scott’s veto of the Global Warming Solutions Act today, after a similar vote in the House last week. Now a law, the Solutions Act will require Vermont to reduce its climate-damaging emissions while simultaneously creating jobs, improving community resilience, and reducing energy burdens for rural and marginalized communities.
A coalition of groups in support of the law released the following statements. The groups commend the Senate and House Leadership and the Climate Solutions Caucus for their strong support and leadership in passing this landmark climate law.
“Climate change is an urgent public health crisis and procrastination and denial are not solutions,” said Jen Duggan, Vice President and Director of Conservation Law Foundation Vermont. “Our legislators clearly understand the reality and provided the leadership necessary to fight this crisis with everything we’ve got. It’s time to get to work so that no one is left behind.”
“Last week, the Governor said, ‘We simply do not have time for this sort of delay,’ and today, the Senate agreed by successfully overriding his veto of the Solutions Act,” said Lauren Oates, Climate & Energy Policy Manager at The Nature Conservancy in Vermont. “We are grateful for the leadership in both chambers of the Legislature, and for their recognition of our imperative to act on climate. Now let’s get to work, together.”
“Action on climate and building more resilient communities is not optional, and further delay is not acceptable,” said Ben Edgerly Walsh, Climate & Energy Program Director with VPIRG. “With their override of Gov Scott’s shortsighted veto, the legislature demonstrated they understand that. We appreciate their leadership and look forward to rolling up our sleeves together to do far more in the months and years to come.”
“Today’s vote sets in motion the long overdue planning process that will ensure Vermont acts to mitigate the increasingly costly consequences of a warming world,” said Johanna Miller, Energy and Climate Program Director at the Vermont Natural Resources Council. “The Legislature clearly recognized the economic development and equity-creating opportunity in this critical work. Now, let’s harness the ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit of Vermonters in getting it done.”
“The Sierra Club is grateful that Representatives and Senators heard the call of tens of thousands of Vermonters who struck last fall to act on climate change,” said Robb Kidd, Vermont Sierra Club Conservation Program Manager. “Legislative leaders have demonstrated how Vermont can come together to enact broad-based solutions despite the politics of fear and denial demonstrated by the Governor’s veto.”
Experts are available for further comment.
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