House energy committee debates future of Affordable Heat Act; members split on repeal vs. revision

The House Committee on Energy and Digital Infrastructure met Feb. 11 to review bills that have been filed with the committee and to take initial positions ahead of crossover deadlines. Committee chair Representative Kathleen James said the committee will give each sponsor a short “pitch session” to explain a bill’s problem and proposed solution, then decide whether to pursue walk-throughs, testimony or further drafting.

The committee’s earliest substantive discussion centered on H.16 — legislation tied to the Affordable Heat Act and a proposed clean heat standard — and related measures on greenhouse gas policy and renewable standards. Representative Michael Southworth argued the committee should “get rid of it” and start fresh, saying the bill as drafted would be too costly for many Vermonters and local markets. Other members countered that the bill contains design elements that could be repurposed,…