MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont has lofty climate goals that may soon be out of reach under a new president. The Global Warming Solutions Act sets emissions benchmarks to meet, but without federal support, the landmark legislation may need to be reshaped.
Vermont is already facing a lawsuit for not meeting its 2025 pollution reduction requirements under the Global Warming Solutions Act and lawmakers fear if they roll back aspects of the law, they won’t be approved again.
Environmental advocates under the Golden Dome are reassessing their goals as Democrats lose their supermajority and President Donald Trump takes office.
“I think it is going to be most important, over the next four years to focus on what we can do here in Vermont in a collaborative way. Where those areas that we can find broad agreement,” said Rep. Kathleen James, D-Bennington, who chairs the House Committee on Energy and Digital Infrastructure.
Despite cost concerns about Vermont’s focus on combating climate change, James is worried some will want to cut back on the state’s emission reduction goals.
“My question will be, well then what? How do we make sure that we are holding ourselves accountable? How can we make sure we are getting the work done? My concern is if we simply lift the 2030 deadline, then work will stop,” she said.
To make sure the work continues, Vermont’s Climate Council plans to propose some changes to the Global Warming Solutions Act. They also plan to release an update to the state’s Climate Action Plan this summer.
But state officials say they’re not sure what the state can achieve if President Trump lets climate funding run dry.
“Federal funding has been integral to a lot of the efforts we have made to date. I think it will be challenging for Vermonters to afford the transition that we need to make,” Vt. Natural Resources Secretary Julie Moore said.
Moore says climate change initiatives will cost around $500 million this year.
Gov. Phil Scott says meeting our climate obligations is important but it needs to be done in an affordable way.
“We believe that we can accomplish our goals but within a time period that doesn’t outpace our ability to pay, putting people at risk,” said Scott, R-Vermont.
Lawmakers say that Climate Action Plan should be complete and updated by July 1.
There is no set timeline for when the Global Warming Solutions Act will be revised.