Public Policy Blog

VBSR Staff and Business Members provided legislative testimony on "Green" Economic Development and Management of Waste Tires this past week.  

S. 331, currently in Senate Economic Development intends to promote programs and incentives to develop the Green Economy as a leading economic driver in Vermont.  Secretary Kevin Dorn  (Agency of Commerce) tooks some heat from Committee members for lack of Administration committment and leadership in developing this economic sector.  VBSR Member Tom Hengelsberg (Truex-Collins) testified to the increasing opportunities in the green building sector for energy savings and job creation and member Will White (Solarwrights) talked about why his firm expanded into Vermont and the need for more incentives for individuals and businessess who want to buy and install renewable energy systems.   I testified to the need for the Committee to integrate this economic development policy with the environmental/energy policies being developed in other committees.  I spoke about the job creation and revenue generation opportunities that were lost when the energy bill was vetoed last session,  (See ecoNomic analysis prepared for S. 94), the need for real committment and leadership from the Administration on this issue, and how it is essential to also drive in-state demand for the services and products green businesses provide. It is likely this bill will undergo a major re-draft and see passage this session either on its own or integrated into another bill.

H. 656, is in House Fish and Wldlife, imposes an upfront fee on new tires and deposits money into a special fund to help pay for waste tire amnesty days and disposal. VBSR testified in support of the bill as it will help protect the scenic beauty of the state.  VBSR has a longstanding policy position of internalizing external cost such as waste management, we would rather pay more now than pay more later.  

Had an opportunity to chat in the Senate TRansportation committee room with Agency Officials and Legislators about public transportation as critical economic development infrastructure in addition to environmental benefits; the need for our employees to have cost effective options to get to work, especially in light of rising gas prices.  Many committee members agree with the need to have coordinated and integrated inter-model public transportation in Vermont.

The House Agriculture Committee has been making progress on the hemp bill--H 265- good chance this will make its way out of the House will strong support.

 

Hello Friends-

I often think about writing and then get hung up because I want to make the entry infomative, enlightening, and exciting !  (and then I feel that a quick note wont be adequate).  So I am working on getting over that and I share a few thoughts (in my favored bullet format) about the past few days and the few days ahead. 

• The budget address today was depressing .Yes, economic times are tough but that does not mean we can't be innovative and forward thinking.  Now is the perfect time to make wise investments towards our future .......let's invest not just dollars but political leadesrhip in in"green businesses" , lets save loads of money in the future by making our homes and businesses as energy efficient as technically possible ( and create hundreds of  news jobs and new businesses in the process).  Let's work on a majpr overhaul of our health care insurance system and save millions of dollars in the process (according to a 2001 report by the Lewin Group we could save $118.1 million dollars  a year by going to a single payer health insurance system).  Hard times call for creative and innovative solutions, not just a response of "no new taxes" without an evaluation of future return on investment.   This only reminds us that we work harder to get our messages out and heard. 
  
• In this week ahead VBSR and VBSR members will be testifying on the green jobs workforce development bill in Senate Economic Development (S. 331) and will lend some general support to H. 656 which is in House Fish and Wildlife that addresses proper management of waste tires in the state.  We also continue to keep up and feed into the action on energy and health care reform in the various health and natural resources committees, and coordinate and support Kids though our collaboraion with  the "kids are priority one" campaign. 
• Other upcoming important events include  a VBSR press conference regarding health care reform priorites on Tuesday Jan 29, 2008 at 11:30, Statehouse.  We are also having our annual VBSR legislative reception on Thursday, February 7th, 5-7 pm, Main Street Grlll and Bar, Montpelier.  Please join us for one or both !!!  (please note: the reception has been moved to Main Street Grill and Bar).

Talk to you in a day or two....

 

 

 

 

As I write the The Regulatory Assistance Project is presenting some of their report to the House Natural Resources and Energy Committee.   You may recall that they were tasked by the Joint Energy Committee to make recommendations on program options and funding sources for a "Comprehensive Efficiency Service for Vermont Families and Businesses"

In short, a comprehensive program can be funded by private capital investments (50%), existing revenues in the Weatherization Program and Efficiency Vermont programs (25%), new utility and environmental markets (Clean Energy Fund) 10%.  That leaves 15% in new public revenues.

They recommend a fuel gross receipts tax plus 1 million a year from the general fund.  The idea is to expand what we are already raising for weatherization programs from all fuel sources (electric, propane, oil, other). Currently  $7 million is raised from this source per year. The idea would be to raise it in stages up to 1.5%.  

The fuel gross receipts tax would be charged to sellers and would need about 5.8 million a year over 10 years to fully implement the program. 

So it seems we are back where we started from at the begining of last session...no reason to think this idea will be an easy sell. 

Note:. gas and electricity charges are now paying for most efficiency programs. Unregulated fuels (e.g. propane) only support low-income weatherization programs, not other efficiency programs.

Remember: We can save $4.80 in direct fuel costs savings for each public dollar invested in buildings efficiency.
The opportunity for investing in efficiency services is enormous !  VBSR will continue to support these efforts....

By the way, it was great seeing some of you today at the statehouse for the Vermont Environmental Consortium breakfast.  Would like to see more members in Montpelier...let me know if you will be coming to town !