Vermont H 52: An act relating to establishing a study committee to examine the governance of the Burlington International Airport

Bill Text

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H.52 1
Introduced by Representatives Harrison of Chittenden, Lipsky of Stowe, and 2
Morris of Springfield 3
Referred to Committee on 4
Date: 5
Subject: Conservation and development; air pollution; climate change; Global 6
Warming Solutions Act 7
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to change the 8
greenhouse gas emission reduction requirements to goals. 9
An act relating to changing the greenhouse gas emission reduction 10
requirements to goals 11
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 12
Sec. 1. 10 V.S.A. § 578 is amended to read: 13
§ 578. GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION REQUIREMENTS GOALS 14
(a) Greenhouse gas reduction requirements goals. It is the goal of Vermont 15
shall to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases from within the geographical 16
boundaries of the State and those emissions outside the boundaries of the State 17
that are caused by the use of energy in Vermont, as measured and inventoried 18
pursuant to section 582 of this title, by: 19
* * * 20

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(c) Implementation of State programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 1
In order to facilitate the State’s compliance with the goals established in this 2
section, all State agencies shall consider, whenever practicable, any increase or 3
decrease in greenhouse gas emissions in their decision-making procedures with 4
respect to the purchase and use of equipment and goods; the siting, 5
construction, and maintenance of buildings; the assignment of personnel; and 6
the planning, design, and operation of programs, services, and infrastructure. 7
* * * 8
Sec. 2. 30 V.S.A. § 202a is amended to read: 9
§ 202a. STATE ENERGY POLICY 10
It is the general policy of the State of Vermont: 11
* * * 12
(3) To meet Vermont’s energy service needs in a manner that will 13
achieve the greenhouse gas emissions reductions requirements goals pursuant 14
to 10 V.S.A § 578 and is consistent with the Vermont Climate Action Plan 15
adopted and updated pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 592. 16
Sec. 3. 30 V.S.A. § 202b is amended to read: 17
§ 202b. STATE COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY PLAN 18
(a) The Department of Public Service, in conjunction with other State 19
agencies designated by the Governor, shall prepare a State Comprehensive 20
Energy Plan covering at least a 20-year period. The Plan shall seek to 21

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implement the State energy policy set forth in section 202a of this title, 1
including meeting the State’s greenhouse gas emissions reductions 2
requirements goals pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 578, and shall be consistent with 3
the relevant goals of 24 V.S.A. § 4302 and with the Vermont Climate Action 4
Plan adopted and updated pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 592. The State 5
Comprehensive Energy Plan shall include: 6
* * * 7
Sec. 4. 10 V.S.A. § 591 is amended to read: 8
§ 591. VERMONT CLIMATE COUNCIL 9
* * * 10
(b) The Council shall: 11
(1) Identify, analyze, and evaluate strategies and programs to reduce 12
greenhouse gas emissions; achieve the State’s reduction requirements goals 13
pursuant to section 578 of this title; and build resilience to prepare the State’s 14
communities, infrastructure, and economy to adapt to the current and 15
anticipated effects of climate change, including: 16
* * * 17
(2) On or before December 1, 2021, adopt the Vermont Climate Action 18
Plan (Plan) and update the Plan on or before July 1 every four years thereafter. 19
The Plan shall set forth recommend the specific initiatives, programs, and 20
strategies that the State shall pursue consider implementing to reduce 21

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greenhouse gas emissions; achieve the State’s reduction requirements goals 1
pursuant to section 578 of this title; and build resilience to prepare the State’s 2
communities, infrastructure, and economy to adapt to the current and 3
anticipated effects of climate change. 4
(3) Identify the means to accurately measure: 5
(A) the State’s greenhouse gas emissions and progress towards 6
meeting the reduction requirements goals pursuant to section 578 of this title, 7
including publishing emissions data in a timely manner; 8
* * * 9
(4) Provide guidance to the Secretary of Natural Resources concerning 10
the form, content, and subject matter of rules to be adopted recommended for 11
adoption pursuant to section 593 of this chapter. 12
* * * 13
(i) On or before January 15, 2021 and every January 15 thereafter, the 14
Council shall submit a written report to the General Assembly concerning the 15
Council’s activities and the State’s progress towards meeting the greenhouse 16
gas reduction requirements goals pursuant to section 578 of this title. On or 17
before November 1, 2021 and every second November 1 thereafter, the 18
Director of Vermont Emergency Management shall file a report with the 19
Council concerning V