The Third Act Biomass team has been involved in issues related to the passage of the Affordable Heat Act (S.5). The bill was signed into law in the first quarter of 2023. 

Our commitment to members at that time was that we would work to drive amendments to the overall bill, going forward. 

The team will continue to monitor actions associated with the AHA, as well as issues related to Biomass that affect residents of Vermont.

Recently, we issued a positional statement about the proposed McNeil steam pipeline

Third Act Vermont is opposed to the McNeil steam pipeline proposal because it would likely result in the continued operation of McNeil for another 20 years.  Specifically, our members are concerned that the emissions from McNeil’s wood-burning operations for years to come will further contribute to the climate crisis. Vermont’s Climate Action Plan calls for net-zero emissions by the year 2050.  To get there, we support the development of a Just Transition plan to wind, solar, geothermal, and other clean energy sources as an alternative to McNeil. In addition, we want a gradual phasing out of the McNeil plant that addresses the needs of McNeil’s employees. A concerted effort on the part of the Burlington City Government, Burlington Electric Department, Vermont Gas, and the public will be needed to accomplish this net-zero transition.

https://burnedthemovie.com/streaming-and-screening/ 

Biofuel and Biomass Project Description

General Description

Lead: Robert Small. Send email to Robert: click here.

Advocate for policies that greatly curtail or eliminate the use of biofuels and biomass that result in CO2 emissions.

Positive Effect on the Climate Crisis
Policies that reduce or eliminate CO2 from the use of biomass and biofuels will reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere.

Goals

Inform Vermonters about biomass and biofuels, and how their use may result in CO2 emissions, which contributes to the climate crisis.

• Tasks
  Develop an information packet that provides the pertinent information about biofuels and biomass, and how their use results in CO2 emissions.
• Third Act Vermont has significant concerns about the role of biofuels and biomass in the Affordable Heat Act (S-5), and thus we will advocate for changes to the bill that requires clean heat credits be verified as low carbon for biofuels and biomass.
• Gain a thorough understanding of the issues associated with biomass and biofuels in the AHA, which will inform and drive specific actions for an improved S.5 bill (through amendments), in coordination with allied organizations and our Legislative team.

Initial action targets being developed. As we understand more about the myriad issues, these will inform and drive specific actions we take in support of an improved S.5 bill (through amendments)in coordination with allied organizations and our Legislative team.

* involved/leading: Robert Small, Phil Merrick, Knud-Erik Rosenkrantz, Michael Bosworth, Shaun Deane, Edward Cremo
* Schedule (timing): work paused, milestones to be defined and presented to membership, as necessary