Why I voted ‘yes’ on the Affordable Heat Act

BY ANGELA ARSENAULT

If you’re confused — or even worried — about the Affordable Heat Act, I understand. I felt the same way until a few weeks ago. But after doing my homework and asking lots of questions, I was able to confidently vote in favor of this important piece of legislation.

We’ve been hearing about this bill, also known as S.5, since before the session started. A similar bill rather famously failed by one vote in the last biennium, so I knew this was one to watch coming into January.

As the letter S before its name indicates, this bill originated in the Senate and did not come over to the House until sometime in March. I paid attention to it in the Senate, but knew it was best to wait until it was in a final version to really try to get my arms and brain around it. While spending time in the House Committee on Environment and Energy, the bill underwent a few changes that brought it to a place of clarity and resulted in my ability to confidently vote in favor.

The main point that brought me to my ‘yes’ vote is that this bill is all about gathering more information. Despite what you may have heard as part of a concerted effort on the part of some fuel dealers and lobbyists, this bill, as passed, will not impact your fuel costs over the next two years. Other factors, those that have always led to price volatility in home heating fuels, will continue to impact fuel prices. One of the goals of S.5 is to move away from the volatility inherent in the home heating fuel market, but we need more information before we take that step.

S.5 directs the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to find out exactly how a clean heat standard could be designed for Vermont, including its effects on heating costs and workforce. The PUC will work with a technical advisory group and an equity advisory group over the next two years to create a report that is due back to the legislature in 2025. Only then, armed with real data and real information (not “back of the napkin” figures designed to engender fear), will the Legislature vote on implementing a clean heat standard.

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To be clear, the 2025 legislature could vote to accept the proposed clean heat standard rules offered by the PUC; it could change the rules lature to anything. the PUC the ability to pause this program at any point after implementation, for up to three years. If we start heading down the path and realize unintended consequences or negative impacts on Vermonters, the program can be paused. This gives me great confidence that we are approaching a very big and necessary change with the thoughtfulness and care that it warrants. before implementing; or it could repeal the whole statute and choose not to proceed with a clean heat standard. The passage of S.5 last week does not bind a future Legis-

A few things stood out to me as being extremely important in this bill — especially the equity advisory group. The fact of the matter is Vermonters who can afford to do so are already moving away from the unpredictable, increasing cost of home heating. It is low- and moderate- income Vermonters who will be left behind without this program in place. The specific inclusion of renters and those who live in manufactured homes is significant.

I was inspired by Rep. Laura Sibilia (I–Dover), who reported this bill on the House floor last week. She is a passionate advocate for those on low, fixed and moderate incomes in our state, and she spoke fiercely in favor of the Affordable Heat Act. She is also vice chair of the committee that studied this bill, so her knowledge runs deep.

Another important factor in my ‘yes’ vote was the clause that gives

The thermal sector (heating our homes and other buildings) is the second leading source of greenhouse gas emissions in Vermont (transportation is number one). There is no question that we need to make some changes in this vital area. We need to make it more affordable for all Vermonters to have the option of switching to more efficient, more price-stable ways to heat our homes. And if switching to a new heat source, like a heat pump, is not your preference, you can look see ARSENAULT page 7

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Arsenault

continued from page 6 into weatherizing your home or utilizing cleaner wood heat. This bill does not mandate that Vermonters make a change. It simply aims to create a system within which doing so is easier and more affordable than it is right now.

There has been a great deal of misinformation swirling around related to this bill. Please reach out to me (aarsenault@leg.state.vt.us) if you’d like to share your concerns or ask questions. I invite you to call my Statehouse number, (802) 828-2228 and leave a message if you’d like me to call you back.

Angela Arsenault represents Williston’s Chittenden-2 District in the Vermont House of Representatives.