Bill > H0052

This bill modifies Vermont's approach to greenhouse gas emissions reduction by changing existing legal language from "requirements" to "goals" across multiple statutes. The bill softens the state's previous mandatory emissions reduction targets by replacing prescriptive language with more flexible terminology, which means state agencies and the Vermont Climate Council will now "consider" or "recommend" strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions rather than being strictly required to implement them. The bill maintains Vermont's commitment to reducing emissions and adapting to climate change, but removes some of the legal enforceability around these objectives. Specifically, the bill changes how the state's energy policy, climate action planning, and rule-making processes are described, introducing more discretionary language for the Secretary of Natural Resources and the Vermont Climate Council. The bill also repeals a previous statute that allowed for legal action to enforce emissions reduction requirements and will take effect immediately upon passage. The core emissions reduction targets for 2025, 2030, and 2050 remain in place, but the mechanism for achieving these goals becomes less stringent.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.52