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1 H.74
2 Introduced by Representatives Higley of Lowell, Branagan of Georgia,
3 Clifford of Rutland City, Demar of Enosburgh, Galfetti of Barre
4 Town, Hango of Berkshire, McFaun of Barre Town, Morgan,
5 M. of Milton, Oliver of Sheldon, Parsons of Newbury, Peterson
6 of Clarendon, Williams of Granby, and Wilson of Lyndon
7 Referred to Committee on
8 Date:
9 Subject: Conservation and development; air pollution; climate change;
10 Vermont Climate Council
11 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to change the
12 State’s greenhouse gas reduction requirements to goals and repeal the Vermont
13 Climate Council.
14 An act relating to repealing the Global Warming Solutions Act
15 It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
16 Sec. 1. REPEAL
17 10 V.S.A. chapter 24 (Vermont Climate Council And Climate Action Plan)
18 is repealed.
19 Sec. 2. 10 V.S.A. § 578 is amended to read:
20 § 578. GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION REQUIREMENTS GOALS
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1 (a) Greenhouse gas reduction requirements goals. It is the goal of Vermont
2 to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases from within the geographical
3 boundaries of the State and those emissions outside the boundaries of the State
4 that are caused by the use of energy in Vermont, as measured and inventoried
5 pursuant to section 582 of this title, by:
6 ***
7 (c) Implementation of State programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
8 In order to facilitate the State’s compliance with the goals established in this
9 section, all State agencies shall consider, whenever practicable, any increase or
10 decrease in greenhouse gas emissions in their decision-making procedures with
11 respect to the purchase and use of equipment and goods; the siting,
12 construction, and maintenance of buildings; the assignment of personnel; and
13 the planning, design, and operation of programs, services, and infrastructure.
14 ***
15 Sec. 3. 30 V.S.A. § 202a is amended to read:
16 § 202a. STATE ENERGY POLICY
17 It is the general policy of the State of Vermont:
18 ***
19 (3) To meet Vermont’s energy service needs in a manner that will
20 achieve the greenhouse gas emissions reductions requirements goals pursuant VT LEG #365438 v.2
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1 to 10 V.S.A § 578 and is consistent with the Vermont Climate Action Plan
2 adopted and updated pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 592.
3 Sec. 4. 30 V.S.A. § 202b is amended to read:
4 § 202b. STATE COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY PLAN
5 (a) The Department of Public Service, in conjunction with other State
6 agencies designated by the Governor, shall prepare a State Comprehensive
7 Energy Plan covering at least a 20-year period. The Plan shall seek to
8 implement the State energy policy set forth in section 202a of this title,
9 including meeting the State’s greenhouse gas emissions reductions
10 requirements goals pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 578, and shall be consistent with
11 the relevant goals of 24 V.S.A. § 4302 and with the Vermont Climate Action
12 Plan adopted and updated pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 592. The State
13 Comprehensive Energy Plan shall include:
14 ***
15 Sec. 5. RULE REPEAL
16 Department of Environmental Conservation, Chapter 40: Vermont Low
17 Emission Vehicle and Zero Emission Vehicle Rules (CVR 12-30-40) are
18 repealed.
19 Sec. 6. EFFECTIVE DATE
20 This act shall take effect on July 1, 2023.
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Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 10-24, 10-18, 10-578, 30-202a, 30-202b