Photo: Rep. Kathleen James speaks on the House floor in 2024
Last week we unveiled the 2025 Environmental Common Agenda, which outlines priorities for environmental policy in Vermont among 19 partner organizations. We started off with a webinar hosted by VECAN, followed it up with a press conference at the state house alongside our partners, and ended with a reception in the evening to celebrate and hear from legislative leaders.
And on this week’s podcast, I share clips from the Common Agenda reception, including words from Senator Anne Watson (D-Washington), Representative Amy Sheldon (D-Middlebury), and Representative Kathleen James (D-Manchester). The three are all chairs of committees of jurisdiction for the environment, energy, and natural resources.
Representative James is also my guest this week. As the new chair of the House Committee on Energy and Digital Infrastructure, Rep. James discusses with me the challenges and opportunities in Vermont’s political landscape, particularly focusing on environmental protection, clean energy initiatives, and the importance of bridging political divides. She emphasizes the need for collaboration, knowledge building, and addressing economic disparities as Vermont transitions to renewable energy.
Lastly, we remember Governor Tom Salmon for his work protecting the Bottle Bill and instituting the land gains tax that made it more difficult for large developers to swoop into Vermont in the 1970s. His actions, alongside Act 250 and the Current Use program, are policies from that decade that remain today and are credited with providing us the Vermont we know and love.
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