Vermont Environmental Group Projects 10% Miss on 2025 Emissions Deadline
Traffic on Williston Road at the intersection with Dorset Street in South Burlington looking West on May 14, 2024. File photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger
The Conservation Law Foundation has made a significant projection regarding Vermont’s progress towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions. According to the group, Vermont is expected to fall short of its first legally mandated deadline to cut emissions by a staggering 10%. This revelation has sparked a heated debate between state officials and data experts over the accuracy of the data used to monitor Vermont’s compliance with emissions targets.
The Global Warming Solutions Act and Vermont’s Emissions Deadlines
In 2020, Vermont enacted the Global Warming Solutions Act, which established strict deadlines for reducing emissions that contribute to climate change. The law mandates that policies be implemented to bring emissions down to 26% below 2005 levels by 2025, 40% below 1990 levels by 2030, and 80% below 1990 levels — or net zero — by 2050. Failure to meet these deadlines could result in lawsuits against the state.
Conservation Law Foundation’s Case Against Vermont
In September, the Conservation Law Foundation filed a lawsuit against Vermont, alleging that the state’s data on emissions was inaccurate and misleading. The group, along with consultant Asa Hopkins from Synapse Energy Economics, presented their case to the Vermont Climate Council, highlighting discrepancies between the state’s previous method of counting emissions and the new modeling method.
The Impact of Missing Emissions Targets
The implications of missing emissions targets are significant. Elena Mihaly, vice president of Conservation Law Foundation Vermont, emphasized that falling short by 10% is equivalent to Vermonters driving over 785 million miles in gasoline-powered vehicles in a year. This staggering projection underscores the urgent need for effective policies to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Vermont.
As the debate continues between the Conservation Law Foundation and state officials, the fate of Vermont’s emissions targets hangs in the balance. The discrepancy in data and projections raises crucial questions about the state’s commitment to combating climate change and meeting its environmental obligations. The coming months will be crucial in determining the next steps for Vermont as it strives to achieve its emissions reduction goals and protect the environment for future generations.
