Vermont Business MagazineVermont Conservation Voters (VCV), released Wednesday,2022 Environmental Common AgendaThe following is a guide to this year’s top legislative priorities in Vermont for the environment and its communities. The Common Agenda for 2022 highlights the fact that we are facing both historic challenges and profound opportunities. The full 2022 Environmental Common Agenda can be found hereThis link.
Each year, the Environmental Common Agenda highlights legislative priority from a range o organizations working at the forefront Vermonts environment, human health, and draws from a vision which includes promoting social and racial equality and strengthening our democracy.
The Environmental Common Agenda for this year recognizes that communities are being affected by the ongoing pandemic. This is causing inequalities and problems in many systems we depend on, such as education and public health. These strains further contribute to the housing crisis and food insecurity, shortages of workers, racial justice, and many other issues.
Despite facing major challenges, Vermont has an unparalleled opportunity to invest federal funding in building healthier, more equitable and more resilient communities across the state, said Lauren Hierl, executive director at Vermont Conservation Voters.
The 2022 Environmental Common Agenda’s policy priorities are designed to address many systemic issues. The recommendations are based on the recently released Climate Action Plan of the states. Many of the steps in the plan will help Vermonters and local business owners save money on their energy bills, create more equitable communities, reduce pollution and invest in natural solutions. They can also help improve the health and resilience of our communities to extreme weather and train a workforce for 21st-century challenges.
In particular, the environmental community is urging lawmakers to:
- Moving forward with the Climate Action Plan, equity prioritised:
- Implement strategies that dramatically reduce climate pollution.Climate solutions investments at least $150 million for FY23; Enacting theTransportation Innovation Act; and advancing Clean Heat Standard, weatherization for all.
- Adopt anEnvironmental Justicelaw that would ensure that no part of the population suffers disproportionate environmental harm, or is denied access to environmental benefits.
- Implement strategiesImprove climate resilience in our communitiesThis includes incentives for additional housing in smart growth areas while protecting our forests, farms and wetlands as well as other vital natural resource.
- Protect public health by reducing the exposure to PFAS, other toxic chemicals in cosmetics, hold polluters responsible, and reduce plastic pollution by modernizing states Bottle Bill.
- Promote a healthy democracy.
Read the complete article2022 Environmental Common AgendaFor more information on each of these priority areas, please visit:
Shelden Goodwin, political outreach director for Vermont Conservation VotersWe are thrilled to work with lawmakers, our partners, and to help Vermont move forward on issues affecting air, water, wildlife and land, as well as health. We have the chance to pass meaningful legislation and make historical investments that will help Vermont rebuild in an equitable manner that preserves our environment for future generation.
The Environmental Common Agenda, a project of Vermont Conservation Voters with participation by the following partner organisations: Audubon Vermont (CRC); Connecticut River Conservancy(CRC); Conservation Law Foundation(CLF); Lake Champlain Committee [LCC]); Preservation Trust of Vermont (Rights & Democracy); The Vermont Chapter of The Sierra Club (VCV); Vermont Conservation Voters; Vermont Interfaith Power & Lights (VTIPL); Vermont Natural Resources Council (VPIRG); and 350VT.
Find out more about Vermont Conservation Voters and more information about the Environmental Common Agenda at:vermontconservationvoters.org.
Source: 2.2.2022. Montpelier, VT Vermont Conservation Voters