GAC March 2020 Update

Gov. Scott proposes grid optimization and clean transportation investments to lower energy costs, support local climate economy
Gov. Scott addressed his annual budget and proposed an investment of $7 million to activate grid optimization and transportation electrification. The governor’s budget includes $3 million dollars for electric vehicle incentive and to further develop Vermont’s charging infrastructure to cut Vermont’s transportation pollution and costs. Campbell Andersen, Renewable Energy Vermont’s Executive director stated, “for every $1 invested in EV incentives Vermonters save more than $3 on gas, car maintenance, and health bills”.

Bernie Sanders to lead Climate “Wake-up” call
On March 9th Bernie Sanders led an overnight session for the Climate Action Task Force. He was joined by New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, Maine Sen. Angus King and two dozen other task force members. The overnight session took place on the Senate Floor Monday night though Tuesday morning. Sanders said, “the over night session shows their commitment to alert Congress to the dangers of global warming”. He and his partners want action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on fossil fuels.

US Government Affairs Updates
(as reported by ASHRAE.org, 3/27/2020, partial topics listing)

U.S. Congressional Activities

  • House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee Holds a Hearing on Energy Efficiency and Storage
  • Four Senators Join the Bipartisan Senate Climate
    Solutions Caucus
  • House Science, Space and Technology Subcommittees Hold a Hearing on the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
  • House Democrats Release Outline of a 5-Year $760 Billion Infrastructure Package
  • S. House Passes the Department of Homeland Security Climate Change Research Act
  • House Energy and Commerce Hearing on the Impacts
    of Wildfires
  • House Natural Resources Hearing on Disclosure Requirements for Protecting Human Health, the Climate, and the Environment

 

For detailed information on the above topics, visit the ASHRAE Government Affairs Update website page at:
https://www.magnetmail.net/Actions/email_web_version.cfm?publish=newsletter&user_id=ASHRAE&message_id=18150200#State

Mallory Fischer
GAC Committee Chair

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