Laberge named to new state commission

Montpelier, Vt. – Thursday, Governor Phil Scott issued Executive Order 12-17, forming the Vermont Climate Action Commission. Among the Commission’s many responsibilities will be the task of unifying Vermont’s ambitious climate and economic goals.

“We are already seeing tremendous growth in renewable energy jobs,” said Gov. Scott in a press conference announcing the formation and members of the Commission. “Since 2013, employment in this sector has grown 30 percent.  That is something to build on.  But all sectors of Vermont’s economy will need to change to take advantage of this tremendous economic opportunity,” Gov. Scott added.

The Commission will hold its first meeting in the middle of August and will be chaired by Peter Walke, Deputy Secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources, and co-chaired by Paul Costello of the Vermont Council on Rural Development.  The other committed members of the Commission and the sectors they represent are:

• Michael Schirling, Secretary of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development
• Michele Boomhower, designee of the Secretary of the Agency of Transportation

• June Tierney, Commissioner of the Department of Public Service
• Marie Audet, representing the agriculture sector
• Linda McGinnis, representing the clean energy sector
• Joe Fusco, representing the commercial hauling or trucking sectors
• Bob Stevens, representing the construction or development sectors
• Kristin Carlson, representing energy utilities
• Mary Sprayregen, representing the energy efficiency sector
• Johanna Miller, representing a statewide environmental organization
• Peter Bourne, representing the fuels sector
• Mayor Liz Gamache, representing local government
• Adam Knudsen, representing the manufacturing sector
• Bill Laberge, representing small businesses
• Bethany Fleishman, representing the transportation demand management sector
• Tom Donahue, representing the Vermont Community Action Partnership

Before the Commission’s first meeting, the Governor a member from the research and development sector, a member representing the forestry or forest products sector, and a student currently enrolled at a Vermont academic institution.  Interested students should contact Peter Walke at peter.walke@vermont.gov for more information.