It’s the dead of winter, when the most spectacular fireworks might be the sunsets. But some spectacular environmentally-related happenings (if not quite on the level of fireworks) also occur during the Vermont State Legislative session, which started on January 4th, 2023 and is scheduled to run until around mid-May. Did you know that you can keep up on the official proceedings three different ways (audio, in person and Zoom)? Check out this official Vermont Legislature web page for all the details of schedules, hearing locations, audio links and Zoom links: https://legislature.vermont.gov/
But with all that is going on, how can you keep track what’s important in the environmental ring of this legislative three-ring circus? Here are some tips (and my apologies for the odd formatting--I don't quite have the hang of this editing program.):
Ø Follow the House Committee on Energy and Environment, chaired by Amy Sheldon of East Middlebury: https://legislature.vermont.gov/committee/detail/2024/200. For example, on January 13th Keith Thompson, Private Lands Program Manager of the Vermont Division of Forests gave a very detailed presentation on the Reserve Forestlands Management Standards (which will authorize payments for qualifying, managed private forests of less than 25 acres), and his full Powerpoint is here:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2024/WorkGroups/House%20Environment/Committee%20Introductions/W~Keith%20Thompson~Reserve%20Forest%20Management%20Standards~1-13-2023.pdf
Ø Follow the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy, chaired by Chris Bray of New Haven: https://legislature.vermont.gov/committee/detail/2024/30. For example, on January 17th, there was a presentation on the Vermont Climate Action Plan, with the PowerPoint available here:
Ø Join the Vermont Conservation Voters weekly email update list:
VCV also has a Democracy Dispatch series, which had a recent episode with Senator Anne Watson, Washington County, about Vermont’s Affordable Heat Act. In addition, VCV has an Environmental Scorecard which highlights legislator’s voting records on issues such as healthy forests, clean air and climate change.
Ø Follow Vermont Natural Resources Council on social media. @vt_naturalresources. VNRC has a near-weekly podcast, Climate Dispatch, which aims to satisfy your curiosity about what is happening at the State House and how to make your voice heard:
https://vnrc.org/category/news-stories/climate-dispatch/
Have fun following the “fireworks” at the State House!
FYI - I realize the links aren't visible - but they are there and work! If anyone wants to follow a link, just hover over the blank area and once your pointer turns into a finger pointing hand, click and you'll be take to the site. We'll work on correcting this glitch!