ANGELO LYNN

In today’s world of dueling information campaigns — where exaggeration, misinformation and outright lies are prolific — learning to distinguish between fact and fiction is crucial. And this isn’t just about political parties. Lobbyists of big interests like the oil or pharmaceutical industries hire legions of employees to distract, dissuade and misinform at the most basic levels — from the flyers and postcards you get in your mailbox to your personal emails.

Vermont House Speaker Jill Krowinski recently called out a deliberate misinformation campaign led by the Koch brothers Super-Pac, Americans for Prosperity, to mislead Vermonters on the Affordable Heat Act (Act 18).

Founded in 2004 by Koch Industries, the Super-Pac has emerged, as Krowinski reports, “as a leading defender of the oil and gas industry and a well-funded opponent of climate and environmental initiatives nationwide.” She explains that the Super-Pac announced a “major five-part mail and digital campaign” to target Vermont voters during this election cycle. Americans for Prosperity postcards, for example, include false claims that the legislation “mandates heat pump installations in homes.”

It does not.

Nor is it known whether the legislation will drive up heating costs. It could, and the legislation process underway will determine the benefits versus the downsides of the bill’s directives and proceed accordingly. 

The Speaker provided an update of the legislation, so Vermonters know the facts and won’t be confused by the Koch Brothers misinformation campaign that has too often been echoed by Gov. Scott and the state GOP. 

“The Affordable Heat Act ensures,” Krowinski says, “that all Vermonters have access to low-cost, reliable heat and relief from the dramatic increases in heating fuel that we see year over year. The bill, which passed in 2023, sets in motion a public rule-drafting process, and requires several important fact-finding studies for consideration and possible action by the legislature in the upcoming biennium.

 “In 2020, Vermonters could purchase home heating oil at a price of $2 dollars per gallon, which is a relatively affordable price for most families. However, in November 2022, Vermonters saw heating prices skyrocket to $5.87 dollars per gallon, which no family can afford. These dramatic price changes were a result of global factors beyond our control,” she said. “The goal of the Affordable Heat Act is to help insulate Vermonters from fossil-fuel price swings, and to make it easier and more affordable for them to transition — if they want to — to more sustainable renewable energy sources.

 “There has been much uninformed speculation about how or whether this proposed policy initiative might impact the price of heating fuel,” she continued, “and while there is little I can do to stop Super-Pac-funded misinformation from flowing into our state, I can provide the facts to Vermonters on where we stand in the process. 

“Currently, draft rules for the Affordable Heat Act are being developed, informed by equity and technical advisory groups and a comprehensive study. All of this will be brought before the legislature for a thorough and transparent review. This process will be open to all, with committee testimony and public hearings to ensure that Vermonters in all 14 counties have a voice and are heard…

“When the legislature reconvenes in January, we will take up the draft rules for implementing a Clean Heat Standard and consider them as we would regular legislation. This means there will be public hearings, ongoing expert testimony and input from fuel dealers and our energy regulators. It is possible that additional work will need to be done by the legislature and administration prior to implementing this policy. It will not become law unless, and until, it is approved by successful votes in both the House and Senate and signed by the Governor…

 “Additionally, we are working to develop opportunities to make Vermont more resilient in the face of our changing climate. The devastating repeated flooding of the past two years highlights the need to double our resiliency efforts and ensure that Vermonters are able to live safely in their communities. Our mission is clear: adapt to climate change, lower our emissions, and promote sustainable and affordable energy options for heating and transportations. This is imperative to support an economy that works for all Vermonters.

 “I am hopeful that Vermonters will see through the fossil-fuel-funded misinformation campaign that looks to drum up fear and uncertainty through the use of inaccurate and alarmist messages.”

That doesn’t mean the legislation won’t impact fuel prices one way or the other; it likely will. But it does mean the legislation is a work in progress with many opportunities for public input. The upshot is simple: Be wary of information that comes from campaigns financed by the companies most likely to be affected; be aware of opportunities to contribute your views and don’t be shy to do so; and understand the big-picture intent first, then work with area legislators to ensure the details don’t sour the pudding.

Angelo Lynn