25-5
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Purpose: S.R.7 resolves, “That the Senate of the State of Vermont recognizes that climate change is real, that human activities make a substantive contribution to climate change, and that it is imperative Vermont take steps now to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels in order to promote energy independence and meet the State’s statutory goals for reduced greenhouse gas emissions…”
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Analysis: Though this resolution is non binding, it is part of a plan for “laying the groundwork” for a carbon tax in 2016, as well as other policies related to expanding and subsidizing renewable energy developers. Those voting YES on S.R.7 have resolved to “take steps now….” Those voting NO recognized the obvious political nature of in this resolution. Sen. Joe Benning stated in opposition, “the Senate should not ‘grandstand meaningless resolutions’ that ‘serve as fodder for political advocacy organizations to attract dollars from their followers (VT Digger),’” a reference to the fact that some language in the resolution was lifted directly from VPIRG promotional materials.
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Senate Journal, Wednesday, April 15, 2015. “… the Senate resolution was read the third time and adopted on a roll call, Yeas 25, Nays 5.” (Read the Journal, p. 447-448)
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Related Materials:
Post/Video: John McClaughry Testifies on Climate Change Resolution.
Post/Video: Legislature “Laying the Groundwork” for Carbon Tax in 2015
How They Voted
(Click on Your Senator’s Name to Send an Email)
Timothy Ashe (D/P-Chittenden) – YES
Claire Ayer (D-Addison) -YES
Becca Balint (D-Windham) – YES
Philip Baruth (D-Chittenden) – YES
Joseph Benning (R-Caledonia) – NO
Christopher Bray (D-Addison) – YES
John Campbell (D-Windsor) – YES
Brian Campion (D-Bennington) – YES
Brian Collamore (R-Rutland) – NO
Ann Cummings (D-Washington) – YES
Dustin Degree (R-Franklin) – YES
William Doyle (R-Washington) – YES
Margaret Flory (R-Rutland) – NO
M. Jane Kitchel (D-Caledonia) – YES
Virginia Lyons (D-Chittenden) – YES
Mark MacDonald (D-Orange) – YES
Richard Mazza (D-Chittenden-Grand Isle) – YES
Norman McAllister (R-Franklin) – NO
Richard McCormack (D-Windsor) – YES
Kevin Mullin (R-Rutland) – YES
Alice Nitka (D-Windsor District) – YES
Anthony Pollina (P/D/W-Washington) – YES
John Rodgers (D-Essex-Orleans) – NO
Richard Sears (D-Bennington) – YES
Diane Snelling (R-Chittenden) – YES
Robert Starr (D-Essex-Orleans) – YES
Michael Sirotkin (D-Chittenden) – YES
Richard Westman (R-Lamoille) – YES
Jeanette White (D-Windham) – YES
David Zuckerman (P-Chittenden) – YES
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Apparently none of those who voted Yes on this resolution knew of or understood the recent testimony of Dr. Judith Curry, PhD in Geophysical Sciences and currently the chair the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the Georgia Institute of Technology, before a Congressional committee on climate change. In her written testimony she stated:
“Claims that the earth has been warming, that there is a greenhouse effect, and that man’s activities have contributed to warming, are trivially true, but they are essentially meaningless by themselves in terms of alarm. These truths also do not mandate a specific policy response.”
https://curryja.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/house-science-testimony-apr-15-final.pdf
Bend over and grab your ankles. . . .the Vermont Legislature is coming!,
If they pass this Carbon tax its only going to push more people to move out of this state!! . What are we supposed to do for heat in the winter?? Solar is not an option for us due to the cost.. Hello!! There is no natural gas for those of us who live in rural areas.. wth!! come on Vermont give us a dam break! If this passes, we are outta here!!