Focusing on Solutions
As the current elected Representative for our district, I have exciting news to share with you! Although the Legislature is not in session, I am continuing to focus on solving the real issues facing our state and our towns. Two weeks ago, I spent every day at the Addison County Fair, enjoying maple milkshakes, tractor pulls, demolition derbies, the new animal barns, and talking with so many people, old friends and new. The #1 concern on everyone’s mind: AFFORDABILITY. As one fair goer shared, “Vermont has just gotten too expensive. I’m not sure how much longer we’ll be able to stay here”. This past week, I spent nearly every day focused on working to solve our most pressing issues.
A FOCUS ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING: On Monday, I joined Kara Bradford and Kathy Dorman of Addison Housing Works (AHW) to tour the great work being done in Vergennes and around Addison County to provide truly permanent affordable housing. This amazing organization is boots-on-the-ground buying, building, renting, preserving, and managing all forms of approximately 800 housing units across our county. Joe Baker and I toured the two 25-unit buildings they own on Armory Lane in Vergennes, each with a different emphasis. One houses a full spectrum community with units ranging from 1-3 bedrooms, with a children's playground, picnic shelter, and resident vegetable gardens out back. The other is more oriented toward the elderly and disabled with a large community room, cozy common living room with a fireplace, and a part-time on-site nurse. Both are within walking distance of downtown, schools, police station, pharmacy, and the grocery store.
AHW also manages nine mobile home parks, some net-zero energy efficient duplex developments. They aid with down payments for home buyers and are actively preparing to expand into new properties in Vergennes and Middlebury. Besides providing affordable housing, there is a care net of help with other issues their residents may be facing via the SASH and Family Support programs. Kara, Kathy, Joe and I discussed the funding sources, income requirements and waiting lists for their units and were pleased to hear that while some lists are long, the sheer number and variety of units and income level requirements make it very likely, AHW can likely help someone who is struggling to find affordable housing in our area. Their process ensures that this is truly a hand-up, not just a hand-out. I encourage anyone experiencing housing issues to contact them. I am so proud of the work AHW is doing in our area and am happy to be able to help. This work is in direct alignment with the housing affordability work emphasized by Governor Scott.
A FOCUS ON LANDOWNER RIGHTS: Monday evening I hosted the second meeting of the Addison County chapter of Rural Vermont Rising (RVR) at our home in Ferrisburgh. We reviewed and approved the RVR charter and started our official membership list. The group that gathered enjoyed a beautiful summer evening and confirmed our mission statement: “A citizen coalition to protect our land, our work, and our families. As true stewards of Vermont’s landscape, we live and work on the land itself, respecting and relying on the natural environment, with responsible ecological conservation and landowner property rights reinforcing each other.” Those wanting to be involved in our local Addison County chapter, please watch Front Porch Forum for announcements of our next meeting on August 31st. It will be wonderful to meet with more of Vermont’s local land stewards.
A FOCUS ON KEEPING VERMONTERS INFORMED: On Wednesday, I joined Alison Despathy and Elizabeth Brown for a radio interview on WDEV’s “Hot Off The Press”. You can listen HERE to our conversation about the Primary results, Acts 181 and 59, the Renewable Energy Standard, the highs and lows of the legislative session, and the Republican’s “Vermont Promise”. Very enlightening!
A FOCUS ON AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY: On Thursday, I drove to Montpelier to meet with Department of Public Service (DPS) Commissioner Kerrick Johnson, Deputy Brittney Wilson, and Director TJ Poor. Senator Terry Williams and Representative Chris Howland, both of Rutland County, and I met with the DPS team to discuss the rising costs of energy in Vermont and the need to achieve affordable reliable power under the mandate to reduce carbon emissions. TJ shared with us that no matter how you measure it, Vermont already has the cleanest electrical energy as well as the highest in-state renewable generation percentage in the country. We’re #1! He also shared some results from the most comprehensive scientific study of Vermonter’s concerns regarding energy. It showed affordability and reliability as the people’s clear top priorities.
After our deep dive into the details at DPS, we left encouraged that the department is actively engaged on a plan to more efficiently and effectively reduce Vermonter’s “energy burden” (percentage of income spent on energy) while making incremental progress on emissions. We also left with clear action items for DPS and the Legislature to work toward achievable goals. This starts with determining how our current programs can be improved to better deliver benefits to Vermonters. Key elements include:
Continue to prioritize low income weatherization of Vermont’s housing stock to support the most vulnerable Vermonters.
Make common sense changes to our Renewable Energy Standard to reduce costs while maintaining the emissions profile of the portfolio.
Leverage key existing infrastructure assets in Vernon (old Vermont Yankee) for the benefit of Vermonters.
Enlarge the Highgate converter to create opportunities for the delivery of existing and new Canadian resources, including existing hydro and new offshore wind. Governor Scott touched on this at the recent New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers Conference he hosted here in VT last week.
A FOCUS ON PERMITTING SIMPLIFICATION AND REGULATORY RELIEF: On Friday, I met with the Deputy Commissioner of the Dept of Environmental Conservation (DEC) which is part of the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) to review status. He and I worked closely together on the House Environment committee this past biennium on a variety of topics. I am thrilled to report that he confirmed the rule-making process to comply with new laws we passed requiring simplification of the permitting processes for stormwater, wastewater, and wetlands are all moving ahead on schedule. He also shared that ANR’s rules to implement the Governor’s Executive Order on Housing in designated housing areas have been officially adopted. Both are huge wins for affordable housing and land use rights for Vermonters. This Tuesday we will be working together in Montpelier to further stormwater management discussions with hopes of replacing or eliminating the dreaded “3-acre rule”.
There are some who talk about ideas and make broad promises. I prefer to utilize my experience and relationships, actively working in the trenches to solve our real problems, bring affordability to Vermonters, and keep you informed.
Stay tuned and stay engaged.
I remain honored to be your Representative,
Rob North
Addison, Ferrisburgh, New Haven, Panton, Vergennes, and Waltham
Winners of the wooden American flag raffle at the Addison County Fair Republican booth.
