Its Impact on the Economy and Citizens
In the picturesque state of Vermont, a powerful group of activist organizations, environmental lobbyists, and political actors are shaping policies in ways that may not always serve the best interests of its citizens. These organizations—often tied to national and global agendas—work hand in hand with Vermont’s Democrat supermajority, creating a closed-loop system where public funds are used to reinforce progressive policies that drive up costs and restrict dissent. For the average Vermonter, this cycle has profound consequences, as it raises the cost of living and squeezes local businesses.
This article identifies some of the most influential players in Vermont’s activist ecosystem, examining how their intertwined efforts create a monolithic force that overwhelms the quiet voices of Vermonters.
Efficiency Vermont and VEIC: Subsidizing a National Entity While Raising Local Costs
Efficiency Vermont is well-known as the state’s primary energy efficiency utility, but what many Vermonters don’t realize is that Efficiency Vermont is administered by the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC), a national nonprofit organization with global reach. VEIC’s mission extends far beyond Vermont, promoting energy efficiency projects across the U.S. and internationally, often in alignment with global sustainability goals like the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement on climate change.
VEIC is primarily funded by Vermonters through the energy efficiency charge on their utility bills, a mandatory fee that every ratepayer contributes to regardless of their direct participation in energy efficiency programs. These funds are used not only for Efficiency Vermont’s local energy-saving initiatives but also to support VEIC’s national and international efforts to promote energy efficiency.
Ironically, Vermonters are essentially subsidizing a national entity that turns around and lobbies the state to increase electricity regulations and raise energy costs. VEIC and Efficiency Vermont use the very funds collected from ratepayers to push for stricter energy policies, ensuring that electricity prices rise and that more funds flow into their coffers. This vicious cycle burdens Vermonters with higher costs while keeping VEIC’s operations well-funded and expanding beyond Vermont.
The Sierra Club: A National Agenda at Vermont’s Expense
The Sierra Club is another major force in Vermont’s policy-making landscape. Although its mission is environmental preservation, the Sierra Club often pushes a national agenda that doesn’t fully consider the local economic impact on Vermonters. With a strong lobbying presence in Montpelier, the Sierra Club advocates for renewable energy mandates, carbon taxes, and restrictive land use policies, many of which reflect global climate goals rather than the specific needs of Vermont’s citizens.
The Sierra Club’s goals align with the United Nations’ climate initiatives, such as reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to 100% renewable energy. However, these policies come with steep economic costs. Vermonters, especially those in rural areas, face higher energy bills, increased taxes, and restrictive regulations that make it harder for small businesses and family farms to thrive.
Local critics, such as former state senator John Rodgers, have voiced concerns: “These policies, while well-intended, put an undue burden on our rural communities and working families, who are already struggling to make ends meet.”
Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC) and Energy Action Network (EAN): The Environmental Echo Chamber
The Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC) and Energy Action Network (EAN) play complementary roles in reinforcing Vermont’s progressive environmental agenda. Both organizations focus on advancing climate change legislation, including the Global Warming Solutions Act, which mandates carbon emission reductions statewide. These goals are part of a broader international environmental movement aimed at addressing climate change on a global scale, and their policies often align with the Paris Agreement and UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
VNRC and EAN are closely linked to national and global environmental groups and are key players in lobbying for more stringent energy and environmental regulations in Vermont. The cost of these regulations, however, falls on local taxpayers and business owners, who must contend with higher utility bills and increased operational costs as a result of these policies.
Former governor Jim Douglas noted, “What we’re seeing is a disconnect between the realities of living in Vermont and the policies being dictated from Montpelier, driven by national activists. It’s not sustainable for the average Vermonter.”
350Vermont and 350.org: Global Climate Activism Comes to Vermont
350Vermont (350VT), the state chapter of the global climate movement 350.org, is another influential force in shaping Vermont’s climate policies. Founded as part of an international effort to combat climate change, 350.org’s mission is to end the use of fossil fuels and build a global movement for climate justice. In Vermont, 350VT advocates for aggressive actions like fossil fuel divestment, opposing new fossil fuel infrastructure, and pushing for renewable energy mandates that mirror global climate objectives.
While these goals align with international movements, they often disregard the economic realities facing rural Vermonters. By promoting policies like the rapid transition away from fossil fuels and supporting the Global Warming Solutions Act, 350VT contributes to increasing energy costs and regulatory burdens that many small businesses and working-class families cannot afford.
As local activist Matt Mulligan pointed out, “350VT’s activism is well-meaning, but it doesn’t take into account the hard economic realities we’re facing. We need practical, affordable solutions, not more pressure on our already strained economy.”
Vermont Conservation Voters (VCV): Political Influence That Reinforces the Cycle
The Vermont Conservation Voters (VCV) is another player in this ecosystem, serving as a political arm of the environmental movement. VCV works to elect legislators who support progressive climate policies and holds them accountable once they are in office. VCV’s voter guides and endorsements have significant weight in Vermont’s elections, ensuring that pro-environment candidates gain the upper hand in state politics.
VCV’s influence over Vermont’s legislature helps to keep the state’s environmental policies aligned with national and global climate goals, perpetuating the feedback loop where public funds support organizations that, in turn, push for policies that further raise costs for Vermonters. The carbon tax proposals and renewable energy mandates they support may serve the interests of global environmental movements, but they do little to address the economic realities facing working families and local businesses.
Vermont Community Foundation (VCF): Global Philanthropy, Local Consequences
The Vermont Community Foundation (VCF) plays a slightly different role, acting as a conduit for global philanthropic funds that support projects in Vermont focused on social justice, sustainability, and climate action. These initiatives often align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, promoting projects that advance environmental and social equity objectives.
While these projects may seem beneficial on the surface, they often come with significant economic costs for Vermonters. For example, initiatives funded by VCF may require new regulations, tax increases, or subsidies to implement, all of which place additional burdens on local businesses and property owners.
The Monolithic Force Against Vermont’s Citizens
All these groups—Efficiency Vermont/VEIC, the Sierra Club, VNRC, EAN, 350Vermont/350.org, VCV, and VCF—represent a massive, overlapping voice that advocates for progressive policies on energy, environment, and social justice. These organizations are tightly intertwined, working together to push a single progressive agenda that drowns out dissenting voices.
The quiet citizens of Vermont, especially those living in rural areas and working-class families, are increasingly outmatched by this monolithic force. These organizations, often tied to national and global entities, use public funds to push for policies that raise costs, limit economic opportunities, and stifle alternative perspectives.
Conclusion: Breaking the Monolith
To break this cycle, Vermont needs to foster a more balanced conversation that includes voices from across the political spectrum, particularly those advocating for free-market solutions and reduced government intervention. This can only happen when transparency is introduced into how public funds are allocated and how lobbying efforts are conducted.
It’s time for Vermont’s citizens to regain control of the policies that affect their daily lives. By encouraging a broader range of voices in policy-making, Vermont can begin to develop solutions that prioritize the needs of its people, rather than advancing global agendas at their expense.
Dave Soulia | FYIVT
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