Many supporters of the Affordable Heat Act, also known as the Clean Heat Standard, remain in denial about the fee. Don’t let them fool you or themselves.The law is clear. Every gallon of heating oil, kerosene, and propane is counted. Every fuel dealer is required to register and report. If they don’t by Thursday, October 31, they could be looking at a $10,000 fine.
If the final rule is passed into law, every gallon used for cooking, heating, and hot water will be assessed a Clean Heat Fee. What will that fee be? It's likely over a dollar a gallon, according to an independent study paid for by Vermont taxpayers. The law also requires the creation of a “Clean Heat Credit Exchange” in which a fuel dealer can purchase credits in lieu of the Clean Heat Fee, but that’s still money Vermonters don’t have.
And this “Credit Exchange” looks like a pipe dream. The Vermont Public Utility Commission’s CHS Status Report says it would require “substantial additional costs” and “a costly credit platform” with “potential for fraud and market manipulation.” The PUC also writes that this credit exchange “does not make sense for Vermont.”
But it is not up to them. It is up to the Legislature. Let them know. Enough is enough.