Invite from Bill McKibben to July 11 Veto Override Action

June 29th, 2007

Dear neighbors,

After 20 years of inaction, this has been a season of real progress on global warming across America. State after state across the nation is passing innovative legislation; even the U.S. Senate, with real leadership from Bernie Sanders, is close to passing aggressive legislation.
One of the few dark spots on that map is Vermont—and together we can change that on July 11. (Click for details.)

I’m writing to ask if you’ll take part of that Wednesday and come to Montpelier. I know it’s a lot to ask. Here’s why it’s so necessary:
Earlier this year, the state Legislature passed the strongest Vermont legislation yet on global warming and energy justice. H.520 would make it possible for poor and middle-class Vermonters to cut their energy bills by helping them afford good insulation and other conservation measures. It would allow Efficiency Vermont to do for oil heat what it’s already done for electricity: put the state on a painless diet that would offer an example for the rest of the country. We'd stop warming up Vermont--with the heat leaking from our homes, and with the carbon spewing from our furnaces.

Though the bill passed both houses of the Legislature with strong majorities, the governor vetoed it. Jim Douglas says it would create a “burdensome bureaucracy.” Well, what worries you most. The burden of high oil and gas bills for Vermonters who can’t afford them? The burden of a world with rapid global warming? Or the “burden” of people at work around the state installing insulation to solve our social and environmental problems?

On July 11, the Legislature will meet to try and override the governor’s veto. It’s going to be eyelash-close, and it will help enormously if you can take the time to show up that morning, grab the ear of the Senators and Reps from your part of the state, and remind them of just how badly we need action on this issue. There will be lots of folks on hand to help you track down your legislator, and when you’re done we’ll rally outside on the steps while we wait for the vote. We learned something last year when thousands of us walked up the west side of Vermont and then gathered on the Lake Champlain waterfront: politicians listen when their constituents speak. All the candidates for major office in Vermont, including the most conservative, came to our final rally and signed the pledge to cut carbon dramatically.

All the candidates except one. Jim Douglas didn’t bother to show up, and now we have an idea why. He’ll mouth the right words on global warming and on affordable energy for Vermonters, but given the chance to make good his words he’s instead sided with the vested interests. We don’t have the big money power to overcome his veto, but we do have the people power. If you show up! See you at 9 a.m. on July 11 at the State House. And many thanks.

Bill McKibben

P.S.—If you need just a little more motivation, check out this video by three young Vermonters. They’ve said it their way; now we’ve each got to say it in ours!



DETAILS FOR JULY 11 H.520 VETO OVERRIDE ACTION:

Where: The Vermont Statehouse, State St. Montpelier.

When: Arrive between 9 and 9:15 to check in, get briefed and find your legislator. The House convenes at 10am for the vote. We’ll be out on the State House Steps at noon with free Ben and Jerry’s to celebrate (potentially have a press conference...).

Why: No matter which way the vote goes, history will be made. And your presence will send a message that Vermont is serious about leading the nation on energy and global warming issues.

Comments

Global Warming Bill
Aneca Corvo commented on 07/03/2007 6:22 PM

some members of the winooski neighborhood forum have
been disappointed to learn that Ken Atkins,our supposedly democratic representative, has said that he does not support the over-ride on the global warming bill and doesnt think we should tax Vermont Yankee. He is standing with the governor when he could be standing with the community he is supposed to represent. When he was running for office, he never asked for my vote! He felt that his service on the city council was enough name recognition for him to win and he basically did no campaigning. During the campaigns, it was revealed that he was supporting Rich Tarrant, a man with no political experience, for the U.S.
Senate, and not Bernie Sanders, who courted the Democrats and won endorsements from both the Vermont Progressive Party and many independents. Even Jim Jeffords, whose former party had been under constant attack by the left, came out and endorsed the "so-called" socialist. I think the voters of Winooski should coalese and impeach Ken Atkins!!!