Job Creation and Economic Savings for Vermont Fiscal Analysis Supports Funding of Senate Bill 94

• Thursday, April 12, 2007, 2:00 p.m.
• Room 41- Statehouse

• Contact:
• Andrea Cohen, Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility: 760-7198
• Don Mayer, Small Dog Electronics: 496-7171 ext 611
• Doug Hoffer, Policy Analyst: 864-5711
• Tom Hengelsberg, Truex Cullins & Partners Architects: 658-2777 x242
• Mike Rogers, GreenHomes America: 862-3250

Vermont Businesses today called for increased leadership to expand building efficiency investment in the State. 

Joined together at the statehouse they spoke about specific strategies to bring down heating costs through conservation and efficiency and to direct our spending to the benefit of Vermonters.  They described the benefits of working together to pool our skills and financial resources to make Vermont an efficiency leader. 

Don Mayer, CEO of Small Dog Electronics and Chair of the Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility said “Energy conservation and efficiency is the low-hanging fruit in the battle against global warming and energy depletion.  We have an obligation to take a long-term view so that our grandchildren will be able to enjoy all that these beautiful Green Mountains provide. Funding S.94 would create good-paying Vermont jobs, enhance our economy and serve the public good.  Not funding this bill would be a classic case of penny-wise and pound-foolish”.

A fiscal analysis of S.94 found that if funded the all-fuels efficency program would save Vermont businesses over $200 million and households almost $300 million. According to Doug Hoffer who performed that analysis, it would also create at least 180 new jobs and produce almost $8 million in new tax revenues for the state. “This program is a unique combination of good energy policy, good economic development policy, and good environmental policy. It is pro business, promotes growth in skilled jobs, helps keep money in Vermont, and reduces our dependence on imported fuels. What's not to like?”, said Hoffer.

According to Tom Hengelsberg, a Vermont registered architect who is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) accredited,  "It is essential to fund S.94.  This legislation will create new job opportunities in the building professional services sector for architects and engineers proficient in green, energy-efficient design.  It will spur demand for builders, building insulation contractors, and weatherization specialists, suppliers and manufacturers of high-quality building products, and mechanical contractors.  Finally, it will keep dollars spent on efficiency in-state, where the local economic multiplier effect will benefit many Vermonters."

Home performance contractors also came out to support the bill.  Mike Rogers, a Senior Vice President of GreenHomes America, the largest full-service home performance contracting company in the country, stated that “ S.94 makes trememdous sense and should be funded. It will  reduce our dependence on foreign energy, cut pollution, and keep Vermonters’ money within our communities and create jobs.  Based on my company’s experience, for every 100 homes we improve each year, we create between four and five good paying jobs—and that money stays here to support other Vermont businesses rather than heading overseas or lining the pockets of big oil”.

The House Natural Resources Committee continues to take testimony on S. 94 this week.

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