A coalition of environmental groups and energy businesses is calling for a major investment in home weatherization efforts.
The groups outlined their priorities on energy and climate change issues at a Statehouse news conference.
At the top of their lobbying list is a seven-year, $275 million plan to insulate and retrofit 62,000 homes.
"We know how to do this. We’ve been very effective," said George Twigg, who is with the non-profit Vermont Energy Investment Corporation which administers the state’s efficiency programs for electricity consumers. "Now is the time to really build on that success and start to look seriously about what we can do to reduce the amount of money Vermonters are paying to heat their homes and business.
A state task force has said the new efficiency programs could be paid for in part by a 10-cent per gallon tax on heating fuels.
The coalition also urged the Legislature to continue support of renewable energies, including wind power of all sizes, and to lay the foundation for electric transportation in Vermont.