December 16, 2024
Tick-Tock
On January 1, 2025, the first of three mandates in the Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA) takes effect. This is the 2020 law that requires Vermont to have 26% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than we did 20 years ago. That’s just the first step. Vermont has to have 40% fewer greenhouse gas emissions in 2030 than it did 40 years prior. Failure to do so allows anyone to sue the state. The Conservation Law Foundation has already filed a lawsuit, and the Vermont Attorney General’s Office is required to defend it. This week, the Vermont Climate Council is meeting directly with the plaintiff in this lawsuit
Meanwhile, there is another deadline coming that will impact what vehicles are available to purchase. In order to reduce emissions in the transportation sector, Vermont passed the Advanced Clean Car and Advanced Clean Truck Standard back in 2022. This requires 35% of the new cars delivered to Vermont to be battery-electric or plug-in electric hybrids. Trucks are on a similar trajectory. Half of all new Class 2b-8 trucks sold in Vermont must have zero emissions by the end of the decade. This will be nearly impossible. Only 12% of new vehicles sold in Vermont in 2024 are plug-ins, according to the Vermont Vehicle Index. Manufacturers who want to ship vehicles with combustion engines to Vermont will have to pay fines or fees. Or they could lower allocation, which means fewer choices for consumers and fewer sales for Vermont’s vehicle sellers. Or……. a majority of the United States Supreme Court could declare the regulation illegal. Late Friday, the Court announced that it would hear a challenge to EPA’s decision to grant a Clean Air Act waiver to the State of California for its electric vehicle mandate and impose electric vehicle mandates or limit consumer access to internal combustion engine technology. A decision is expected before the end of the Court’s term next June.
In thirty days, the Public Utility Commission will deliver a proposed Clean Heat Standard to the legislature for consideration. The PUC published a draft document that sets first-year obligations for “Obligated Parties” under a potential Clean Heat Standard. The PUC’s draft report indicated that there are "substantial problems with the fuel dealer registration data” and that when it comes to low and moderate-income Vermonters, the policy could “potentially cause more harm than good.” The PUC concludes the report by stating: "We strongly recommend against these obligations being adopted.” We will find out if lawmakers take notice next month.
Dig Deeper: Watch Meadow Hill’s Matt Cota on Vote for Vermont talk about Vermont Energy and Climate Policy.
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Car Corner
Several programs that offer Vermonters incentives to buy or lease new or used electric vehicles are now closed. The New Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV), Replace Your Ride, and MileageSmart programs are out of money and no longer accepting applications. Meandwhil, thousands of EV owners in Vermont have been notified that their registration fees will soon increase. The new fees are for electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), which will go into effect on January 1, 2025. EV owners will pay an extra $89 annually, and PHEVs will pay $44.50. Given the number of electric cars on the road, this is expected to raise $1.7 million in 2026. Money from the fees on EVs will be set aside to fund more electric vehicle chargers. None would go to fix Vermont’s roads. At least not until the state creates a Mileage-Based User Fee (MBUF), which won’t happen until at least 2026. Check out the Meadow Hill Vermont Vehicle Index and see what’s driving Vermont.
Time to Split
The Split the Ticket Fund has delivered over 100,000 gallons of free heating fuel in Vermont since it was founded in 2007. Check out ticketsplit.org and find out how you can donate dollars or gallons this winter. Thanks to Senator Peter Welch for showcasing how Vermont energy companies are helping their Neighbors in need. Watch the MeadowHill Media report here.
