The 2005 Session of the Vermont State Legislature adjourned on
Saturday, June 4th. With many new legislators and equally as
many environmental challenges facing Vermont, the environmental
community successfully pushed a few environmental priorities
this session and halted attempts to weaken environmental protections.
BILLS
SIGNED INTO LAW |
| Passage
of Mercury legislation was a highlight of the session. |
Vermont
has taken a much-needed step in the right direction with
a new mercury law. The new law is a big step toward reigning
in commercial use of mercury as well as significantly reducing
the release of mercury into Vermont's waterways from dental
offices. Senator Ginny Lyons and Representative
Steve Adams,
both Chairs of important environmental committees showed
a great deal leadership and worked hard on getting this legislation
passed after many years of debate. |
| Renewable Energy bill
signed into law. |
Renewable energy has been a priority
for the environmental and conservation community for years
now. A bill that drew tri-partisan support represents a
significant step forward in renewable energy policy and
efficiency. The legislation sets a new direction for Vermont
utilities, and gives them some new tools to provide affordable,
reliable, and environmentally beneficial power for their
customers. Chair Robert Dostis and the entire
House Natural Resources and Energy Committee worked diligently on the
legislation. Joseph Krawczyk and Joyce
Errecart reported
the sections on energy efficiency and regional transmission
planning, and successfully supported the bill against the
one amendment that would have damaged it significantly. |
| Regulation of
Mining Waste. |
The issue of whether or not solid waste
byproduct from mining operations should be taxed became a
hot issue this session. Mining waste had not previously been
subject to a solid waste tax. The final compromise increases
the permitting fees to be paid by large producers of mining
waste, requires OMYA to conduct a variety of studies regarding
the presence of certain chemicals, and sunsets a short term
tax exemption in 2008. The final bill passed with strong
bipartisan support. Sentors Ayer, Dunne,
Campbell, and Cummings deserve a big thanks for their hard work on this issue. House
leadership including Speaker Symington,
Rep. Nease, and Rep. Partridge played an important role in moving this legislation
along. |
| Prohibiting the Sale
and Storage of Fuel Products containing the Additive MTBE. |
Vermont will join New Hampshire and Maine
in banning the sale and storage of gasoline with MTBE. MTBE
is added to gasoline to help reduce air pollution. It was
considered one of the best agents for reducing automobile
emissions that create smog. The EPA has moved to ban MTBE
because it has been found to contaminate ground and drinking
water supplies. The laws will go into effect January 1, 2007. |
oTHER LEGISLATIVE
ACTIVITY |
| Restructuring the Agency of Natural Resources
(ANR). |
This legislation is geared at making ANR more efficient
in carrying out its duties. Outstanding work by Senator
Bartlett and Senator Lyons ended in the set up of
a non-governmental committee to conduct a restructuring review.
See the progress of the committee at www.anr.state.vt.us/site/html/rethink/Introduction.cfm. |
| Vermont Yankee. |
The legislature passed controversial legislation that permits
the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant to store spent fuel
in ‘dry casks’. In addition, the dry cask bill
sets up a program where Entergy Nuclear will pay 2.5 million
per year into a renewable energy development fund. Payment
into the fund is contingent on approval of an uprate in power
production. |
| Growth Centers. |
A working group on growth centers has been established
to tackle the tough task of crafting policies that will protect
downtowns and maintain Vermont’s rural character. Senator
Snelling deserves recognition for her work on this issue. |
| Agricultural
water quality. |
Although the Medium Farm Operations
general permit program will still go forward, there are
lots of reporting requirements: a requirement for a strong
MOU between Agency of Agriculture and ANR, and a requirement
for ANR to do a rulemaking for NPDES CAFO permits. Siting
and setbacks were also added to Large Farm Operations.
Representatives Randall, Deen and
Adams played a big role
in this outcome. |
| Farmer
Protection Act. |
With a solid 26-1 vote, the Vermont
senate passed the Farmer Protection Act. This bill would
put clear liability for genetically engineered seeds onto
the manufacturers of those seeds, taking the burden of
risk away from Vermont farmers. The bill is currently on
the notice calendar in the House and will be voted on in
the early days of the 2006 session. |
