Stop VT Biomass

McKibben: "There could not be a more stupid or suicidal way to produce energy [than biomass]."

Internationally known author and climate activist Bill McKibben joined us Oct. 19 for a screening of the film "Burned: Are Trees the New Coal?" and made his feelings known about the expansion of Burlington's McNeil biomass power plant.

Get involved! Click here to join the effort.

Sign the Petition: Say NO to Dirty Energy! Stop the McNeil Biomass Plant Expansion

Sign the Petition

Join the rising chorus demanding the Burlington City Council and UVM Medical Center say “NO” to District Energy. We deserve real climate solutions, NOT more pollution and greenwashing. You can sign even if you're not from Burlington, or even not from Vermont!

NOT Zero Fest

Burlington Electric Department’s flawed “District Heat” proposal put on blast

BURLINGTON, VT, SEPT. 24, 2023 - Ratepayers and residents disrupted Burlington Electric Department’s (BED) Net Zero Fest yesterday with a puppet representing the proposed “District Heat” steam pipe. Participants held banners reading “No McNeil Expansion” and “McNeil Power Plant: Dirtier Than Coal,” while handing out flyers to Net Zero Fest attendees. The festival was poorly attended and disruptors matched or outnumbered guests.  More>>  |  Photos>>

Who is Stop VT Biomass?

Stop VT Biomass is a coalition of local residents who are concerned that biomass, biofuels and “renewable" natural gas (RNG) are being promoted as solutions to the climate crisis when they are in fact carbon-intensive, polluting fuels that would increase greenhouse gas emissions, adversely impact public health, and harm ecosystems both locally and globally. We are deeply disappointed that the so-called "Affordable" Heat Act, which relies heavily on biomass, liquid biofuels, and RNG, was recently made into law, but we will continue to fight for the most just transition possible with other bills, and as the AHA goes to the PUC rule-making phase. We are also focused on Burlington city ordinances to eliminate polluting biofuels from the heat sources permissible in new buildings, and building momentum to stop the proposed McNeil steam pipe. 

Sign the Letter: Get dirty, polluting biofuels out of the Affordable Heat Act!

https://forms.gle/fXZ2NA3HzxC1G15y7

Join Vermont environmental and social justice organizations and hundreds of individuals in calling for Vermont's legislature to remove biomass, liquid biofuels, and "renewable" natural gas from the measures eligible for credits under S. 5, the Affordable Heat Act.  Click the link above to read the detailed letter and the current list of signatories.