Senate committee advances clean heat standard

BY EMMA COTTON VTDigger

State lawmakers in the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee unanimously voted last week to advance legislation that’s been dubbed the “Affordable Heat Act,” which would establish a clean heat standard in Vermont.

Using a credit system, the clean heat standard would incentivize Vermonters to transition to heating and cooling systems that reduce carbon emissions. Weatherization projects, heat pumps, pellet stoves and some biofuels would be eligible for credits.

Meanwhile, entities that sell fossil fuel heat into the state would need to obtain credits over time, and those credits would be funneled into the clean heat marketplace.

The bill, S.5, is headed to the Senate Appropriations Committee. If it continues to win support, it would move to the Senate floor, the House and finally the governor’s desk.

Gov. Phil Scott vetoed a similar bill last session, and lawmakers failed to override that veto by one vote. This session,