Governor Scott’s Press Conference 10/11/22

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Innkeepers are a busy bunch. To save you time, VLA attends Governor Scott’s press conferences and takes notes for you. Below is the summary from 10/11/22.

Governor Phil Scott and leadership from Efficiency Vermont and VGS today held a press conference in Montpelier to promote the Button Up Vermont campaign, an effort to help Vermonters prepare their homes to maximize energy efficiency.

NOTES:

  • Governor Scott:
    • “As we approach winter, it is important to let Vermonters know about the many resources available to make their homes more energy efficient, offset the higher energy prices we’re facing, and make upgrades to their homes,” said Governor Scott. “Weatherization, in particular, is truly a win-win, helping Vermonters keep more of what they earn, while also reducing carbon emissions. That’s why I proposed historic investments last session towards these initiatives, and I’m grateful for the support of so many community partners and the Legislature to secure this funding.”
  • Peter Walke, Efficiency Vermont:
    • “People are worried about being able to afford keeping their families warm this winter, and they need tools and resources to work with Governor Scott; the Legislature recognized this when they allocated federal money to Vermont weatherization programs. We’re grateful to Governor Scott for bringing attention to Button Up Vermont so people can easily find these resources and take action.”
    • Button Up designed to bring awareness to Vermonters on how to save money.
    • Have contractor programs, DIY programs, fuel switching, virtual services- home energy visit.
    • Incentive structure – moderate-income families can have 75 percent of a weatherization project covered, plus low- or no-cost financing to help projects fit into their monthly budgets. – up to $5,000
    • Also offer low- or no-interest financing programs to make it possible to afford significant investments.
    • Call Efficiency Vermont or Vermont Gas.
    • Saves money, lowers greenhouse gases, significant health benefits, and overall comfort for members of the home. Working to have all of those benefits received by everyone.
    • $80 million of extra money this year. $45 million will go through weatherization agencies, and $45 million through Efficiency Vermont. Inflation Reduction Act dollars will follow.
  • Tim Perrin, Vermont Gas Systems
    • Have completed over 43,000 efficiency improvements with customers.
    • Weatherization works – lowers energy bills, improved housing affordability, reduced greenhouse gases, better health and comfort.
    • Has never been more affordable – AGS will assist Vermonters with under 80% of area median income with up to 100% project for qualifying weatherization upgrades for those who most need to make the improvements.
    • Works with local credit union for zero percent financing for up to five years.
    • Also offering help through Weatherization Repayment Assistance Program.
    • Climate Action Plan – Need to weatherize 120K Vermonters home by 2030.
  • Sean Brown, Commissioner of Department of Children and Families
    • Administer Seasonal Fuel program. Assists with heating costs for families earning up to 185% of federal poverty level. Provide 35-40% of heating costs throughout the winter.
    • Administer Crisis Fuel Program with Community Action agencies.
    • Utility discount program for low-income Vermonters.
    • Fuel tank replacement assistance.
  • Questions:
    • Services available for renter?
      • Brown – Assistance available for renters too. Work with the landlords to ensure affordability.
    • Anything else Vermonters could be doing to reduce energy consumption?
      • Scott – Can replace type of fuels. New wood stoves, pellet stoves and systems.
    • Virtual visits?
      • Walke – launched during the pandemic. Expert helps you determine where to start with efficiency upgrades.
    • Workforce challenges?
      • Scott  – yes – across the board. Why I’ve been so focused on CTE and getting youth into the trades. Lucrative career and we need more of them. But not just the trades – across professions and state government.
    • How much allocated to LIHEAP this year?
      • Scott – Sen. Leahy successful in including some money…
        • Brown – $21 million block grant. $5 million on top of that. Eligibility requirement has not changed.
    • Worried about having to ration (fuel) or triage situation?
      • Scott – We’re in pretty good shape in Vermont. Feel as if we’re pretty solid.
      • Commissioner Tierney – Issue isn’t whether there’s enough commodity to take care of thermal need, it’s what it costs. In Vermont, a great deal of power comes from North – HydroQuebec and through natural gas from Canada. Diversification is key. If people set themselves up for diversity in homes, have ability to switch from one to another as needed (based on cost). Personal behavior – if concerned about cost – add extra layer. But way premature to worry about rationing.
    • Possibility – worst case scenario – temporary blackout. Propane heaters wouldn’t work – so should we be swapping out old woodstoves?
      • Scott – Some people would be swapping out pellet stoves. Some are hand fed, but yes, some require electricity. Not going to switch to complete electricity overnight – need to make sure we have the grid, microgrid to do that. Make sure we have battery storage to do that. Something we all need to contemplate – still believe it’s the right approach. Going to be some of the answer in the future.
    • How do you think cannabis market rollout is going?
      • Scott – As you know – I have had concerns from the beginning. Roadside safety, kids, edibles. I think that the Cannabis Control Board is doing their part to make sure that everything is measured…and rolled out effectively. So far so good. I know a lot of folks were relying on tremendous income – we’ll see if that comes.
    • Next election cycle – two new federal representatives – will be junior. Are you afraid that generous well will dry up?
      • Scott – Absolutely. Sen. Leahy has been a big part of what happens in Washington. A lot of longevity and power and has been very helpful to our state. It’d be foolish to think that we could replicate that with a junior senator without longevity in Senate. Grateful for all that he’s done, but there will be a void. Why we need to think about how we appropriate money – may have to tighten our belts a bit and live within our means. Do things like weatherization to contain costs for Vermonters.
    • Have any tank owners been refused service because their tanks aren’t compliant?
      • Scott: When they’re red-tagged, there’s a means for them to get a small allotment of fuel to keep them going. And means within state government to help them replace the tanks. They could leak, cause contamination, and cost $ due to loss of fuel.