Vermont is named and known for its green. But shamefully, our “green stamp of approval” is less obvious. At the end of legislative session, Vermont granted Hydro-Québec, a massive foreign enterprise, a “renewable energy” status. This provision was attached to an otherwise good renewable energy bill, which began in the House Natural Resources and Energy Committee around late January.
After hearing of this proposal in mid-April, I immediately began to contact some of Quebec's Cree and non-Cree that live in the aftermath of destruction that Hydro-Quebec has wrought in northern Quebec over the years.
Freddy Jolly and Roger Orr - two James Bay Cree who have opposed past Hydro-Québec projects - sent me testimony that I read to the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee.
Wrote Jolly: “The devastation to me, my family, and the Cree Nation is substantial. I am a witness and my eyes and heart do not lie.” Other than Sens. Richard McCormack, John Campbell, and Mark MacDonald (who attempted to remove this rider), it was obvious that legislators had their minds made up. Letters and testimony of opposition were given cursory attention.