On Wednesday, April 30th, Governor Phil Scott attended a Green Up Day commemoration at U-32. In the wake of increasing greenhouse gas emissions, Green Up Day is, to many Vermonters, a refreshing step in the right direction. Yet, in the face of vetoes on major climate protection laws, Vermont news source, as well as climate activists, have questioned Scott’s intentions.
“The Clean Heat Standard was a promise,” Scott stated during his Wednesday press conference. However, Scott vetoed the bill when lawmakers passed it. The Clean Heat Standard is a policy intended to lower Vermont’s carbon emissions following the 2020 Global Warming Solutions Act. The policy targets energy-intensive businesses that import fossil fuels into Vermont, incentivizing them to reduce their emissions or face fees. Though Scott vetoed the bill, he eventually lost in a 107-42 vote, and the bill has been made into law.
“I think we all have the same goals, it’s just how we get there and [at] what pace,” Scott stated. According to him, smaller-scale changes have as much power as legislative changes, and, to Scott, Green Up Day has always been about sustainability. “From my perspective donating your time is just as valuable as donating money,” Scott said. Governor Scott values local volunteer work above large-scale climate protection laws.
Scott believes that, in a state with a population lacking in youth, volunteer efforts such as Green Up Day may become unfeasible. “We need more youth when we look at the statistics…we need to grow our workforce, we need more immigration,” Scott stated. He emphasised the importance of housing to encourage a larger, and younger population. “We need more houses and we need more in the workforce to build,” Scott stated.
Vermont has been facing a housing crisis for years. According to a Vermont Public broadcast, in 2021 over one-third of buyers were able to afford median-priced housing. This one-third dropped to only 6% in 2024, and average housing costs have been in the upper $400,000 range. Annual floods have exacerbated the housing crisis in Vermont, and climate scientists have predicted that floods will become more frequent due to climate change.
“I know everyone’s anxious [about climate change], but if we can’t accomplish [our goals] with the resources we have right now what good is it?” Scott inquired. His focus has been on sustainability and saving resources, and Green Up Day stands as an example of his ideal community efforts. In contrast, Scott’s opposition to bills such as The Clean Heat Standard stem from a concern for the economics of the state.
“We disagree, but it’s the law and we’re participating, and we’re doing whatever we can to move forward.”
