by Rob Roper
A recent article by Vermont Watchdog, Vermont’s green energy plan to have no impact on global warming, raises three very important points. The first, as the title implies, is the fact that the Policy Director for the Vermont Public Service Department, Asa Hopkins, flat out admits that the state’s going to 90% renewables by 2050 will have no impact whatsoever on global warming.
Hopkins told Vermont Watchdog global warming targets aren’t in the plan because Vermont’s efforts won’t affect climate change.
Though this is obvious to anyone with a brain following the issue, Hopkins’ admission of the fact is news.
More interestingly, Hopkins also declared that Vermont’s energy policy is not interested in influencing other states or nations to follow in our green footsteps.
Asked if the draft had targets for states or nations following Vermont’s lead, Hopkins replied, “No. We are focused on trying to take a path forward that works for Vermont. We’re not taking action … in hopes of inspiring action elsewhere.”
This is stunning! How often have we heard that Vermont needs to be a leader on climate change? Well, you’re not a leader if you aren’t even attempting to inspire followers. And, if Vermont will not/cannot be effective in influencing others, there is no chance at all this policy will have any impact on climate change.
Taken together, these two admissions – that Vermont’s energy policy will have no effect on climate change, nor any effect on the climate-change policies of other states or nations – mean that Vermont’s energy policy is, will be, and is expected to be totally ineffectual. Really, folks, what’s the point?
The final key point Watchdog gets out of Hopkins is his clear statement that the objective of state energy policy is and will be to develop energy sources within Vermont.
“We’re after energy security and after bringing energy sources local and under our own control. We want to meet the state’s greenhouse gas reduction goals…. We want to keep more of our energy dollars local and be buying energy from each other rather than sending billions of dollars out of state every year to buy energy that’s imported.”
This is important for a couple of reasons. First, there has been some confusion about this amongst climate change activists, many poo-pooing the idea that we will have to industrialize large swaths of Vermont farmland and wilderness to meet our energy goals because we can and will import renewable energy from places like Hydro Quebec. Hopkins confirms this is not the goal. And the implications of this for Vermont’s pristine landscape are dire.
So, in conclusion, Vermont’s energy policies will have no direct impact on climate change, not indirect impact on climate change, and maximum impact on the industrialization of our natural ecosystems. Thanks for clearing that up, Mr. Hopkins.
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As Marco Rubio says, “as long as we keep electing and reelecting these people, nothing will change.” It’s high time Vermonters wake up to the fact that the state is run by a bunch of looney tunes who have their own screwed up agenda, facts not welcome here.