Rep. Stevens on voting for S.5, the Affordable Heat Act

May 12, 2023

Editor’s Note: The Vermont Senate and House have now voted to override Gov. Phil Scott’s veto of S.5, the Affordable Heat Act. 

To the Community: 

I voted "yes" to override the veto on S.5, the Affordable Heat Act, a bill intended to help Vermonters transition away from fossil fuel heating.

Fuel dealers, lobbyists and others who profit from the sale of fossil fuel have put forth a concerted effort to oppose the bill, resulting in a great deal of misinformation that has some Vermonters worried about how this bill will impact them.

Let me set the record straight: This bill, as passed, will not increase the cost of Vermonters’ fuel. Nor does the bill require Vermonters to replace their fuel systems or install heat pumps.

In fact, this bill does not change anything for Vermont residents or businesses. This bill begins the process of designing a clean heat standard to be presented to the Legislature for review in 2025, because we need more information in order to enact policy that makes the transition away from fossil fuels affordable and accessible to all, while building our collective climate resilience.

S.5 tasks the state’s Public Utilities Commission with determining the economic impact of the proposed program, including how much Vermonters are expected to save in fuel costs, potential changes in the price of fuel, and the overall cost of the program. Field experts and a wide range of stakeholders, including fuel dealers and the general public, will help inform the findings and refine the proposed program.

In 2025, the Public Utilities Commission must “check back” by presenting its findings and program draft to the legislature which can then change, pass, or repeal the statutory provisions of S.5. If we aren’t satisfied with the results – because the mechanisms are unwieldy, because it would disproportionately harm low- and/or middle-income Vermonters, or any other reason – we can repeal the statutory provisions of S.5. 

Our Legislative Counsel has confirmed that the “check back” provision restricts expenditures until a future Legislature acts.

The passage of S.5 does not bind a future Legislature to anything.

Vermonters who can afford to are already moving away from the unpredictable and increasing cost of heating with fossil fuels. We must ensure that ALL Vermonters can access cleaner, more affordable heat if and when they want to. Because we all deserve a warm, safe home no matter what our income.

Rep. Tom Stevens, D-Waterbury

Stevens represents the Washington-Chittenden House district covering Waterbury, Bolton, Huntington and Buel’s Gore. He chairs the House General and Housing Committee. Reach him at tstevens@leg.state.vt.us.