Lawmakers hear from international expert on climate change

MONTPELIER, Vt. --Leading lawmakers through a computerized presentation Thursday, an international expert on global climate change said state government can take a number of steps to reduce Vermont's greenhouse gas emissions this winter and spring.

Amory Lovins of the Rocky Mountain Institute said the state could build on its existing reputation as an environmental leader in a number of ways, including:

-- Reducing or eliminating sales taxes on the most fuel efficient vehicles.

-- Promoting vehicle fleets that consume less fuel through other incentives.

-- Altering land-use regulations so they take into account a project's energy use before it wins a permit.

He pointed out that burning a gallon of gasoline in an internal combustion engine produces 19 pounds of emissions and sends 40 cents to countries "that hate the United States."

Rock-ribbed Vermonters should look to their past as they contemplate their future, he said. "What would Ethan Allen drive?"

Legislators, while not seeking to answer that question directly, are trying to guide how modern-day Ethan Allens lead their 21st century lives. They're trying to figure out how to reduce the state's so-called carbon footprint -- the amount of atmosphere- and planet-damaging emissions it produces -- while capitalizing on the development of new clean-energy industries.

"It's actually about profits, jobs and competitive advantage because it's cheaper to save energy than to buy energy," Lovins said.

But the Statehouse is all about politics and it's unclear how bold any climate change legislation will be. Legislative leaders have talked about taking substantive steps toward addressing the issue. Gov. Jim Douglas has proposed some steps, such as reducing the purchase and use tax on new vehicles from 6 percent to 5 percent for hybrids and others getting 30 miles per gallon or better.

The governor said he was not enthusiastic about reducing that further -- or increasing the tax for the least fuel-efficient, as Lovins suggested -- because he does not want to tell consumers what kind of vehicles they should drive. Those kinds of policies might make it more expensive to live in Vermont, he said.

"If it costs $1,000 to register a vehicle that in an adjoining state you can register for $50, people have a choice where they live," Douglas said. "That's why it's so important legislators look at these in terms of affordability."

Lovins said his proposed initiatives do not necessarily need to cost more. They can ultimately cost a lot less because efficiency measures save more than the alternative costs, he said.

He used as an example the Efficiency Vermont utility, which helps install equipment and programs to reduce energy use. That's the kind of effort that can and should be emulated around the country. It's already having an effect in Vermont, he said.

"I'm happy to report that in Vermont, residential use of electricity has been drifting downward because of Efficiency Vermont and many individuals have been doing such a great job," Lovins said.

His presentation, complete with a computer presentation on big screens set up in the House chamber, was part of three weeks of education about global climate change that legislative leaders have organized.

The leaders' goal is to develop a base of knowledge from which they can craft some policies that both reduces the amount of greenhouse emissions produced in Vermont and also create new jobs in the emerging industry.

Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie, an airline pilot who helped orchestrate Lovins' travel when he ran into delays, said the effort could pay dividends. "It's about the economy and it's about security. For those who need a little religion, I think you're going to get it," he said in introducing Lovins.