 Thank you very much for coming here. I met when we were both on a panel together. I thought it would be great for the community to hear from her and me. And I see even running in a state house, visiting all sorts of people. It's great. And thank you for the trust conference, which is very well done. So, maybe we should do this also. I'm Kurt McCormick and I'm from Burlington. And I'm the chair of the committee. Barbara Murphy, I serve Fairfax here in the state house and I'm the vice chair of our transportation committee. Brian Savage, Swan. Mary Sullivan from the South Bend Hills section of Burlington. Becca White, I serve Hartford. I'm Mike McCarthy and I serve St. Alden. Dave Potter, I represent Clarendon, Westbrook, Longbrook, Rockter, Wallingford, and a little bit of Tin Mehta. I was a high school teacher for 31 years. Full time. Travis Hale. And what, biology too, right? Biology, chemistry, and driver-ed. I'm Molly Burke and I represent Brownborough and I've had the pleasure of knowing Hope. I'm going to intern with me and I'm very impressed here. That's why you might be. So I see you've got the prayer testimony. Yes, we do. Whenever you're ready. Thank you committee members for the opportunity to meet with you today. My name is Hope Otrero and I'm a senior at Montpelier High School and a member of Youth Lobby. Some of you might recognize me not just because I'm frequently in the building because of my advocacy and activism, but because I've interned with Molly Burke for the past two years. She's a person who I'm truly grateful I've had the experience to work with. Thank you for your time today. I'm Lily Platt. I'm a senior at Harwood High School and I'm an officer of the Vermont Youth Lobby. Youth Lobby is a statewide student-led organization for climate action and justice. As you know, we are facing an unprecedented global emergency. Just thinking about the magnitude of the climate crisis can be so terrifying that it paralyzes people but we have to do something. The science is clear and it's becoming clearer every day that we must act. To us, climate change isn't a political issue. It's an existential threat, the effects of which we've only begun to feel. Regardless of what we like to think about Vermont being a green state, the facts say otherwise. Vermont is not doing its part to address the climate crisis. Since 1990, Vermont's carbon emissions have risen by 16% while climate pollution in all of our neighboring states has gone down. As overseers of Vermont's transportation policy, you have a unique opportunity and responsibility to act for serious climate action this session. We appreciate your past commitments to reduce emissions and fight climate change. In 2017, many members of this committee voted in favor of HR-15, a resolution which opposed the announced U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement and supported Vermont's enrollment in the United States Climate Alliance. HR-15 opposed a world in which the United States, instead of using its power and wealth to serve as a role model in climate action, reneged on its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 26% to 28% below 2005 levels and by 2025, and its commitment to contribute $3 billion to climate change assistance to developing nations by 2020. Combating climate change, something that scientists have called the biggest global health threat of the 21st century, is not limited to one resolution, and the word resolution has two meanings. It isn't just an agreement passed by a legislative body, it's a firm decision to act, to do something. Supporting emissions reduction takes an active effort, but with our current policies and regulations, Vermont isn't on track to meet its own emission reduction goals. We've committed to 90% renewable energy by 2050, but as of 2015, only 16% of Vermont's total energy consumption was powered by renewables. As you may know, we're also in the State House today to ask you to support the Young Vermoners United Climate Declaration. We passed it in November when we convened in the House Chamber, along with 170 students from every district in the state. We held this special session to bring attention to the fact that the state isn't doing enough to address climate change. There were students from big schools like CVU and UVM, and from rural schools like Barton Academy and Glover Elementary. There were students who traveled from Brattleboro High School and Burton Burton. Some of us walked from Montpelier High School. The youngest delegates came from Marion Cross School in Norwich, while the oldest attended Vermont Law School. We were joined by the Lieutenant Governor, five Senators and 22 Representatives. Representative Becquo White provided an inspirational keynote address from the State House steps. Thank you. Some of the declaration that we passed is broad, including our request that the Vermont State House declare a climate emergency, turn Vermont's non-binding greenhouse gas goals into requirements, and put us on track to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2032. Some of the declaration is specific to transportation, including our recommendations for the following. Accelerate the deployment of freely available low-carbon public transportation such as buses, trains, pedestrian connectivity, and biking infrastructure. Join our regional neighbors in programs like the Transportation Climate Initiative and create a 10-year timeline for ending the sale of passenger vehicles powered by fossil fuels and for implementing extensive public transportation infrastructure. The largest segment of Vermont's greenhouse gas emissions comes from the transportation sector, and out of figure that consistently hovers around 45%, that represents nearly half of all emissions. As legislators on the House Transportation Committee, your actions are critical, and it is critical that you prioritize climate change. In moving away from fossil fuel transportation, Vermont can develop an equitable program to generate revenue that can help all Vermonters invest in and make use of cleaner transportation alternatives. There is growing popular support for climate action. According to a very recent poll, more than three-quarters of Vermonters support Vermont's joining of the Transportation and Climate Initiative, and more than three-quarters of Vermonters support requiring the state to hit its climate targets. By moving away from fossil fuel transportation, Vermonters can reduce carbon pollution and potentially save money at the same time. Studies have shown that in our most rural counties in the northeast and mid-Atlantic, the average driver can save $870 per year and cut carbon emissions by more than three metric tons per year by choosing an electric vehicle over a conventional sedan, shifting transportation away from single-occupancy vehicles towards low-carbon alternatives like buses, trains, biking and walking not only helps us meet our emissions reduction goals, but can literally change lives. Expanded public transportation infrastructure would greatly lessen the burdens that transportation often poses to low-income and rural Vermonters, especially those living in fuel poverty. A lack of available commuting options prevents low-income people from leaving their towns and accessing the jobs, resources and enrichment they often need to improve their lives. Yes, last year's budget did include funding for electric vehicle incentives, and I'm thankful for those on this committee who advocated for electric vehicle incentivization during negotiations. Yet, last year's funding has been called a, quote-unquote, modest but positive step forward. We are indeed moving in the right direction, but our progress, as said, has been modest, and unfortunately incremental action doesn't align with the ambitious goals we've set for ourselves. Incremental action isn't enough to meet our state's commitments to affordability and efficiency, and incremental action isn't enough when it comes to fighting the climate crisis. During the 2020 legislative session, Vermont must continue to work towards electric vehicle incentivization and do so with ambition and commitment if we are to meet our goal of 50,000 plug-in electric vehicles registered in Vermont by 2025. Yes, these are ambitious goals, but ambition and drive are nothing less than necessary if we are ever to meet our commitment to the global and statewide arrangements we've agreed to. Taken together, these recommendations can put us back on track to meet the climate commitments that Democratic and Republican governors and lawmakers alike have made to our generation. Our commitment to 90% renewable energy by 2050. Again, we must do our part, and more importantly, as legislators in Vermont, you must lead the way and prove to other states that we can make this transition away from fossil fuels and toward a more prosperous, more equitable and brighter future. Last night, instead of studying for the French test that I have later today or doing my homework for AP Economics, I was up late finishing this testimony. It was something I was happy to do, carefully writing it in the hopes that it will be good enough, that it will match the caliber of the testimonies and speeches you might be used to hearing from professionals who are paid to do this every day, who don't spend their hours at school instead. In the hopes that my words, my testimony, is good enough to make enough of a difference so that it is something you will carry with you throughout the session this year as you make decisions, set priorities, and negotiate with opposition. Lily and I, and many others our age throughout the years, have skipped school and slipped out on sleep so that in addition to all that we do, whether it's soccer or working or high school, we can do our part in advocating for efficiency, affordability, leadership and initiative, and social justice. A commitment to serving others is a principle that guides your lives as legislators, and it's a principle that deeply guides mine as well. For many young people today, climate anxiety has steeped itself in the back of our minds. Those who prioritize climate change understand that it's a crisis. Understand that climate change is already affecting us and is a growing obstacle to ensuring every person in every community has the ability to live with stable weather patterns, to swim in and drink from clean, safe water, to breathe unpolluted air, to live free from forced migration, to have access to food and to live unencumbered by civil conflict and disease. We understand that the world is already warmed by about one degree Celsius and without a global coordinated effort. One that we as Vermonters and as Americans must be a part of, the world will reach 1.5 degrees in as little as 12 years. We understand that several million lives are at stake according to the IPCC. We understand that the actions that are required to ensure a just transition to fossil fuel free world have significant overlap with the actions that would be needed to reduce global poverty. We understand that if we don't act, literal science states that whole parts of the globe will become too hot for human habitation and those left behind will die of heat. Diseases will increase and mutate. Food shortages will become chronic as we fail to move agriculture from one climate to another. Whole countries like Bangladesh and parts of countries such as Miami, Florida will be under water. Shortages of fresh water will affect humans and agriculture. The oceans will die and air will get dirtier. Social, economic and political chaos will ensue as refugees flee areas that can no longer sustain them. Although you and I enjoy spending time with family, reading a book, going out for a bite to eat or a run outside and can afford to live and work relatively comfortably in Vermont, there are people in the world, as we've seen in Australia or in California who are being affected by climate change already, who do not have the privilege of living and working relatively unperturbed by the effects of climate change. We have two asks of you today. The first is to do all you can to reduce carbon pollution. As overseers of Vermont's transportation policy, you have an opportunity to act. As you know, the bulk of Vermont's greenhouse gas pollution comes from transportation. I'm sure you saw the most recent greenhouse gas inventory report. 45% of Vermont's greenhouse gas emissions come from trucks and cars. So the bulk of greenhouse gas reductions have to come from transportation. We understand that there are a number of bills under consideration and in the process. You should enact all of them. No one bill is going to solve this crisis. You should pursue as many strategies as possible. Our second request is that you hang this declaration in your committee room for the remainder of the legislative biennium to remind yourselves daily of what young Vermonters want. We want a cleaner, healthier, more vibrant Vermont. And every day that we continue to spew climate pollution into the air robs us of that future. At its most basic level, Youth Lobby is asking for policy makers to ensure that as a state, we're doing our part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to a level that is consistent with a livable planet. We simply want the state of Vermont to abide by the obligations we have made to meet the goals of the Paris Climate Accords and to listen to the IPCC and the urgent and most current science. It is imperative that we act soon to prioritize combating climate change and making the switch to clean energy, infrastructure and livelihood. Thank you for the opportunity to be here today and we're happy to answer any questions if necessary. Thank you. Thank you very much. Excellent testimony. Questions? I do want to just go on to the fact that when you spoke of you're hoping your testimony was of quality that I think you probably exceeded what many people can get paid to do that. The question that stays far from everything. I almost have a question but a comment kind of along the lines that you just talked about a bit. I was contrasting your testimony from what we saw yesterday in the larger body and what legislators take on the effectiveness in contrasting the two. Your testimony is so articulate and it indicates that you spent a lot of time studying or investigating what you're talking about. You seem very believable, at least to me. I was a science teacher and so maybe it's easy for me to follow what you're talking about. But you know, you did such a nice job and it's really, I'm an older age. It's very comforting to see people like you and places like that are so intelligent and I would look forward to the day when you come and replace some of us. Because you're the kind of people we need in these sort of positions and your day will come. It's not too far in the future. So I have a very specific question for you and I wish very much that you didn't have to be here giving this excellent testimony and that we were more capable as the folks who are helping to govern Vermont of combating this crisis and taking it as seriously as you do. But the question I have for you is that you mentioned the Transportation Climate Initiative is one of the policies that you want us to take serious look at and to pursue. And we're going to hear over the next couple of months and I've already heard from a number of people that Vermonters just simply can't afford to spend another dime on anything related to investing in climate change from a number of people including citizens. So I'm wondering what you would say to some of the folks who are going to be talking to us and are concerned about us doing something as a regional partner to make those investments in the lower carbon transportation future. Well, I spoke at the press conference last year and that was the same day that a lot of the green vests I don't know if you remember them came to protest carbon taxes and I think the media did a sort of pit us against that group but when I actually researched some of what they had said in their speeches, I agree that when we do make a transition to a greener Vermont that we need what we call a just transition and that those who can't afford to pay can... I don't know exactly what we would do but perhaps it's subsidies, perhaps it's something else, perhaps it's electric vehicle incentivization but that people who can't afford to pay I spoke about fuel poverty as well in my speech but that we can transition to a Vermont that is not just... we can transition to a Vermont that's not just greener and produces lower emissions but that is hopefully more affordable for low income and rural Vermonters to live in and when we do implement policy it's important that we have low income individuals at the table I myself am low income and so it was hard to see what I was saying be pitted against those who largely share some of the same interests as me I think that perhaps because I'm younger I understand... I've spent more of my life being acquainted with the climate crisis and so I think that there's an understanding that is more prevalent in my mind that the cost of inaction is greater than the cost of action Mary? This isn't really a question but I also wanted to just kind of reiterate what Mike just said that while it's wonderful to have you in the State House I'm actually sorry that you have to be here and work so hard in this issue because it does mean that we've let you down and we're putting your future in jeopardy and let's hope that we can really ramp it up and just so that you can look forward to a future that when I was your age I looked forward to so... Well, very impressive testimony What I'm wondering is and I think articulating the... What's happening is the narrative is getting like this is a carbon tax and we can't do it so therefore we can't do anything and that is such a lack of vision because we can and you talked about a little bit how some kind of a subsidy or whatever that's something we need to talk about Have you met with the Governor? We have not but it's something that we've been talking about I think that you need to present that you've just done to us to the Governor and as a counter to what happened yesterday you know, with whatever many colleagues will come in with you and if you need help facilitating that I'd be happy to do that because this is really, really important for the Governor to hear that you're not just talking about carbon tax and that how seriously you take this and how much you're working and everything you said today about you would rather, you know you're not in school because you're doing this you're doing the work that this body should be doing and thank you so much I think the Governor would be happy to do that I don't think there's any problem getting any more together We would like to and we'll be coming back to the State House every Friday participating in Fridays for our future which is a worldwide event and we're also planning a larger youth lobby event in late February or March where we'll be lobbying specific policies and hoping to have more meetings with more committees and hopefully the Governor as well You know that we're on break the first week of March just for you Thank you for mentioning that We don't want any plans It would be important to say hi And I would say to follow up on that the town meeting today is probably a great opportunity for the youth lobby to meet with local leaders I'm also a municipal official and a number of us are involved in our local governments So I would really encourage that your larger youth lobby to go to town meetings to be at City Hall in places that have a strenuous ballot on a town meeting day if you can and to talk with local leaders because a lot of the advocacy that needs to happen is not just here at the State House but it's also down at the town You have been so articulate and have framed the message so well that I really hope that youth lobby members will talk to local officials about some of these issues so that we're hearing from them as we move forward with some of these policy priorities Do you really have a French exam today? Yeah, I mean it's not like that big It's just... It's like one of the... It's like part of something that accounts for like 60% of my grade but it's fine This was more important She got into Columbia University I did Will you really work until 10 o'clock according to one of your emails today when we were trying to arrange for this? She works around the clock I'm pretty sure, yeah Pardon? Oh, the sweet spot is a cafe in Weitzfield and I also work at the Pitcher Inn which is a restaurant hotel in Warrenville Well, I would just like to reiterate what Dave said I did yesterday Did you hear what happened yesterday? We did, okay Governor just started his speech and I fear that that was actually a step backward our advocacy to address climate change and you guys did the exact opposite Besides the fact that you were... his testimony was so good so well done, so compelling you have delivered it right? Willie and I took some work to just get this but when you talked about what you guys had done you didn't just meet with us this is a hearing we had a hearing with you guys so that's what this is and I just want to thank you again and we will hang the poster Thank you Um Yeah, I understand we were coming from about the demonstrations that were held yesterday and I would like to acknowledge that they were justified demonstrations in my opinion that the house is on fire that we're living in a crisis and everyone should be heard and that the direct action was led by youth who are putting in the hours just as we are expressed it in a different way and in a way that might be considered abrasive to some legislators that it is an expression of genuine and justified concern and in that regard we're both coming from the same place and that we are both concerned about the climate crisis to a huge extent Yeah Could I have just following up on light next climate to be very productive if somebody from your organization or multiple people from your organization we're in every town at every town meeting because there will be a counter you might present to what you say and if you have somebody there that can as articulately express your concern as as you have done in those town meetings it will be very, very useful because there's a lot of education needs to be done across the state at the grassroots level before and that that effort will cause change in this body if you can get grassroots support for what you're talking about and there's a lot of work to be done so if you can organize that here as many as possible can go to those towns you have a right to speak as much as anyone else and you do it so well Let the record show that the cell phone ringing was not one of the secrets I was going to say I was going to say I'm sure it was one of us who were the elders who were the hand patrols The cell phone is silent, it's just that part of it here Alright well, thank you very much and you will stay in touch with us We'll see you on Friday Thank you so much Thank you for having us