Today is Election Day! As we cast our votes, we also turn our attention to the rapidly approaching 2025 legislative session in January. The drop of the gavel always seems to come quicker than some would expect or enjoy. In the months leading up to the opening of the state house, legislative and administrative study committees have been racing to complete their reports and, more importantly, their recommendations in time for the incoming legislature. ABC has been tracking several of those studies that may have significant impacts on contractors.

Vermont’s Department of Environmental Conservation has released a report detailing its recommendations for reducing and eliminating PFAS, or “Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances,” from consumer products. These man-made chemicals are resistant to heat, water, oil, and grease, and are found in products such as carpets, clothing, cookware, food packaging, firefighting foams, paints, cleaning products, microelectronics, batteries, and medical equipment. Commonly called “forever chemicals,” PFAS are suspected carcinogens linked to various illnesses, including cancer and other serious diseases. Vermont took notice of PFAS contamination after groundwater near a dry-cleaning chemical company was discovered to be contaminated several years ago. The report focuses primarily on intentional additions to consumer products. While there are many exemptions to the rulemaking process, it remains unclear how items like personal protective equipment or construction materials might be impacted. Once reviewed by the legislature, a bill may follow that incorporates some or all of the report’s recommendations. ABC will monitor this process closely to ensure contractors’ concerns are addressed before any potential legislation is passed.

The Department of Public Service is leading a study group on whether Vermont should adopt recognized residential building codes and designate the Department of Fire and Safety (DFS) as the “Authority Having Jurisdiction” (AHJ) for single-family homes, which it does not currently regulate. This is a continuation of last year's study group that recommended significant changes to Vermont law to improve compliance with the Residential Building Energy Standards (RBES). The study group, which includes energy nonprofits, home builders, commercial builders, architects, and state agencies, has been meeting throughout the summer. The results appear to align with the previous report, highlighting the ongoing division in opinions on how to achieve RBES compliance and whether to designate DFS as the AHJ. The report is likely to reiterate prior suggestions, detailing various paths forward and noting dissenting views on each. It will then be up to the legislature to decide which policies to pursue. Limited state resources may restrict the scope of changes, though adopting a recognized building code without statewide enforcement could be a next step.

The Public Utility Commission has presented a plan to adopt the Affordable Heat Act (also known as the Clean Heat Standard) in Vermont. This plan would require registered heating fuel dealers to reduce the fossil fuels they sell by incentivizing alternatives like electric heat pumps or other efficiencies. If a dealer is unable to meet these requirements, they would pay a fee (“credit”) to an entity that could reduce or incentivize reduced usage, with this cost likely passed on to customers. Current estimates suggest the policy could add a substantial tax of 70 cents or more per gallon of fuel. The proposed plan, which would cost tens of millions of dollars paid by Vermonters, is now in the public comment period before it is presented to the legislature in January. Even the Public Utility Commission has acknowledged that the associated costs should prompt legislators to consider less expensive alternatives.

These are just a few of the topics ABC NH/VT will be tracking in the Vermont legislature, and we’ll keep you informed every step of the way. If you have questions or are interested in participating in ABC NH/VT’s government advocacy committee, please contact matt@abcnhvt.org.