Training and Technical Assistance Requests. EPA Region 1 will provide training and technical assistance support for EJ implementation on a range of environment and public health topics identified by VTDEC. EPA Region 1 will deliver Initial content planned to VTDEC in FY24 and additional topics to be prioritized annually. VTDEC/EPA Region 1 Technical Contacts: VTDEC Technical Contact(s): Xxxxx Xxxxxxx EPA Region 1 Technical Contact(s): Xxxxxx Xxx Xxxxxxxx Addressing Climate Change VTDEC will continue to experience a range of impacts from climate change including increases in air and water temperature, changes to precipitation patterns, sea level rise (SLR), more intense weather events and flooding, and seasonal shifts. The impacts of climate change are already affecting the lives and livelihoods of our residents and visitors, degrading ambient and indoor air quality, threatening public health, and damaging infrastructure, ecosystems, and social systems. As a result, there is broad consensus of the need to holistically address mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions to limit the magnitude and rate of climate change while also adapting to those impacts that are unavoidable. This approach should be integrated across all programs and media to the greatest extent possible. Vermont’s Act 153(2020) – the Global Warming Solutions Act, or GWSA – establishes an ambitious timeframe and scope of work to advance climate action in Vermont. The first objective was the development of the Initial Vermont Climate Action Plan (“Plan”) which was developed by the Vermont Climate Council, with significant support from state staff, and adopted on December 1, 2021. The Plan identifies specific initiatives, programs, and strategies necessary to achieve the State’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction requirements, enhance carbons storage and sequestration, achieve net zero emissions by 2050, and build resilience and adaptation in our natural systems and built environment. A key recommendation of the Plan was the creation of the Vermont Office of Climate Action which was included in the FY23 state budget. The policies, programs and tools needed to implement climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience strategies will require a long-term intergovernmental structure to coordinate and manage this statewide effort. The Vermont Office of Climate Action (the “Office”) was established in the FY23 budget and is a division within the Secretary’s Office. The Office will coordinate and provide significant expertise and capacity on s...
