A Post by alison despathy

Act 181 is a degradation of the original intent of Act 250. Act 250 was designed to ensure proper development that does not abuse or pollute our communities. Public participation is core to Act 250 which guarantees due process for all impacted by development projects—especially when there are irresponsible developers or town boards taken over by developers.

Act 250 has been eroded from its original intent. There is tremendous Act 250 misinformation. If we want intense development, such as data centers, telecom, solar, housing projects, quarries to happen properly then we need Act 250 restored. Prime example is the quarry in Morrisville, Act 250 was made for these projects and allows the issues to surface and be addressed.  All can participate and there are not lawyer and money requirements.  Developers have money and lawyers, People and towns typically do not, Act 250 created a level playing field.

Act 250 is project based. Act 181 is place based and invades property, towns, rural spaces. Act 181 is built upon weak maps,  never intended for regulatory purposes and never ground truthed.

Act 181 must be repealed but the LURB maintained to restore Act 250 to work for Vermont and the environment. Act 250 is always blamed, when it is typically ANR permits holding up projects.

Act 181 is still under development but we know it hurts Vermonters. Unfortunate, yet common - complex legislation lacking understanding gets rammed through creating stress and more work. This is the pattern for years. Act 181, Clean Heat Standard, Act 59, Global Warming Solutions Act and another beast - the Renewable Energy Standard - all passed over the Governor’s veto.

The RES serves special interest. All attack Vermonters and must be corrected. Thank you for engaging in a very human, important yet messy process. If we do not step up, we will continue to get steamrolled.