COVID-19 Relief Update – S.10 Bill
A Vermont Senate Bill S.10 is a COVID-19 relief bill that has been expanding. One of its first points were to provide universal school breakfast and lunch for all public-school students and would create incentives for schools to purchase locally produced foods. New business extends to certain unemployment insurance (UI) provisions related to COVID-19. It would raise weekly UI benefits by 20% and add a new dependency benefit. On March 21st, 2021 there was a pending question “Shall the bill be amended as recommended by the Committee on Economic development, Housing and General Affairs, as substituted?” It was decided yes on a roll call, 18 yeas’, and 12 nays.
Burlington City Council Vote on Charter
To follow up to last month’s GAC entry, the voting results are in relating to the regulation of thermal energy and decarbonization, question 3 & 7 of the Burlington ballot.
The proposed charter change to regulate thermal energy systems (question 3) is approved. Out of 13,841 votes 64.53% voted yes. This allows the city to ask the state legislators if it can draft legislation to tax new developments if they choose to use fossil fuels in their heating. The vote will go back to Burlington residents if the legislature approves it. Then the city council will draft another resolution for voters to weigh in on regarding a potential carbon fee.
The advisory question Re climate justice in building decarbonization is approved. Out of 13,930 votes 75.61% voted yes.
The City Counsels meeting minutes and upcoming events can be found at the following link:
https://go.boarddocs.com/vt/burlingtonvt/Board.nsf/Public
VGS and Renewable Natural Gas
Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) is considered a biomethane gas which has been upgraded to a quality like fossil natural gas. RNG is waste derived fuel that could be from landfill waste, animal manure, wastewater, food waste and other organic feed stocks. It is a pipeline quality gas that is fully interchangeable with conventional natural gas.
In Middlebury VT, Appalachian Gap Distillery announced in early March that they will be using RNG to offset half of its natural gas usage to produce its quality craft spirits. The company is striving to become certified by Climate Neutral, that is a non-profit Net Zero certification for consumer brands. The goal of Climate Neutral is to decrease global carbon emissions and will reflect Appalachian Gap Distilleries core values of sustainability.
A link to this story as reported by VTDigger can be found in the following link:
https://vtdigger.org/press_release/vgss-renewable-natural-gas-energy-efficiency-programs-helps-local-distillery-commit-to-climate-neutral-certification/
Travel & Vaccine Guidance Update
Everyone in Vermont will be eligible for the COVID-19 Vaccine by April 19, 2021. Effective February 23rd, people who are fully vaccinated and at least 14 days past their final dose can travel to and from Vermont without quarantine restrictions. These same people that encounter a confirmed COVID-19 case will not be required to quarantine. Here is a link to the state’s travel quarantine policy.
Mallory Fischer
GAC Committee Member