News That Affects You!
The House Committee on Energy and Technology advanced the Clean Heat Standard by a 7-2 vote last week and it’s headed to the Appropriations Committee next. The legislation will regulate fossil fuel dealers in the state with an aim to ramp down emissions of the heating sector. The program will require a dealer to continually Read More…
The unelected Climate Council put forward its Climate Action Plan (CAP) in December 2021 with two major components: 1) The Transportation Climate Initiative (TCI), which was basically a cap-and-trade-style carbon tax on motor fuels, and 2) a Clean Heat Standard (CHS), which is basically a cap-and-trade-style carbon tax on fossil based home heating fuels (oil, propane, natural Read More…
Many of the businesses that deliver fossil-based heating fuels (oil, propane, natural gas, and kerosene) in Vermont are small, mom & pop operations. Some, as describe by Matt Cota of the Vermont Fuel Dealers Association, are just one person “with a truck and a cell phone.” These companies exist on the margins of financial viability. The Read More…
An article in VT Digger today trumpets, “Attorney general reminds Vermonters of propane protection laws as snow, cold continue.” In Vermont, propane fuel dealers are required by law to deliver to customers, even if the customer isn’t up to date with paying all their past bills. We don’t let people freeze to death – if you Read More…
Members of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) have shared interests in defeating the electrify-everything movement that continues to advance across the country. Homebuilders, remodelers, homebuyers and homeowners have a common interest in preserving and protecting the right to choose the types of energy used in homes. Attainable housing is dependent Read More…
As the legislature takes up the Climate Action Plan’s recommendation to electrify pretty much everything in Vermont by the year 2050, including home/business heating and transportation, a big question is how are we supposed to create and deliver enough electricity to actually do that. And, of course, how much might it cost. Testimony to this issue Read More…
Many Vermonters will receive a surprise gift of warmth this winter. While thousands of Vermont families receive fuel assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, there are many Vermonters that don’t qualify but still need help. These families can receive donations of heating oil, kerosene, or propane from the Split the Ticket Fund, a Vermont Read More…
If it wasn’t clear before, this national emergency has demonstrated that the men and women who help provide heat and hot water are essential to our way of life. While most of us are at home, fuel truck drivers and heating technicians are hard at work making sure everyone is safe and warm. All of Read More…
Vermont is under a three week shut down. All non-essential business must cease operations. Governor Phil Scott authorized the Stay Home, Stay Safe order on Wednesday night and the directive will be in effect until April 15. Businesses that provide “fuel products and supply” are considered essential. Businesses that are responding to a heat or hot water emergency Read More…
Our economy and our lives will be altered over the next few months as we all face an uncertain future. VFDA is focused on the health and safety of the employees and customers of Vermont’s energy providers. VFDA staff is on the job and available to answer your questions and help where we can. This Read More…
VFDA is focused on the health and safety of the employees and customers of Vermont’s energy providers. The men and women that provide fuel and service for heat and hot water are providing an essential service. We are in contact with Vermont Emergency Management, the Public Service Department, the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Read More…
COVID-19 Concerns In response to the COVID-19 coronavirus, Governor Phil Scott activated the emergency operations center this week. While Vermont’s price-gouging law allows the Governor to declare a market emergency, that has not happened. In a press conference on Thursday, Attorney General TJ Donovan said his office has not heard of complaints about local companies Read More…
By Guy Page March 9, 2020 – The Vermont House Transportation Committee is shelving – for now – a plan to require Vermont employers to participate in “the statewide reduction in single-occupancy pleasure car trips.” Virtually all cars are defined by state law as “pleasure cars.” The aim of the legislation is to decrease the Read More…
Town Meeting Results Growing pressure from rising costs and declining enrollments led to the rejection of school budgets in nine school districts on Tuesday. Nine municipal budgets were also defeated on Town Meeting Day. In Vermont’s largest city, the Progressive Party flipped two seats and seized the majority on Burlington’s City Council. And in South Read More…
* The Global Warming Solutions Act (H.688) recently passed the House on a strong vote of 105-37 and turns Vermont’s goals for carbon emission reductions into requirements. It requires the state to create a plan for meeting these targets and gives individuals a cause-of-action tool for court intervention if Vermont fails to develop or effectively Read More…
Town Meeting Talk Lawmakers will be home all next week for Town Meeting break. This is your chance to speak personally with your elected leaders. It is important that you take the opportunity to remind them what you do and how hard you work to keep Vermonters safe and warm. Make sure you vote on Town Read More…
