Responsible stewardship of our environment has made the Vermont what it is.  That commitment is a tradition of which we should be proud and must continue.  Make no mistake, protecting our environment and ensuring our economic propserity are not mutually exclusive goals.  Rather, they can, and must, go hand in hand.

Permitting Process and Act 250 - Vermont's land-use law was an important step in the protection of our natural environment and working landscape, and it continues to be a key component in the development of our lands, and therefore, in our state's economy.

As a native Vermonter and one who is proiud of our environmental heritage , I firmly believe there is absolutely no reason to undermine the long-established environmental standards of Act 250.  That said, however, I do believe there are some changes that should be made to the process itself.  After all, signficant public policy developments have occurred over the course of the last forty years (since the adoption of Act 250) that require modifications be made.  For example, at the time of the adoption of Act 250, cities and towns throughout Vermont did not have any established zoning ordinances or plans.  Now, many have complete zoning bylaws that were developed by the local communities. 

Additionally, it has become clear throughout the last decade especially, that there is a great deal of unpredictability in the Act 250 process.  Employers attempting to grow their business to provide more and/or better paying jobs to Vermonters have found it increasingly difficult to plan for Act 250 reviews and decisions because of this unpredictability.

Instead, however of the state addressing these difficulties in a broad context, the legislature has recently adopted special carve-outs, or exemptions, for certain industries that they deem "appropriate."  These include large-scale, renewable energy facilities; composting facilities, and affordable housing projects.

Getting a permit from the State should be a reasonable process - for any business or entity.  Establishing carve-outs for those industries the State deem "appropriate" proves that reform is needed.  Further, though, it is public policy at its worst - dictated by special interests.