The “Burner Ban” would give the City of Burlington permission to tax or ban all heating equipment that utilizes natural gas, propane, or heating oil. This would mean all new home heating systems, washer, dryers, and stoves would need to be electric.

90% of residents heat their home with natural gas, propane, or heating oil. The city of Burlington owns the electric company and the wood burning power plant and and may financially benefit from increase in electric sales, while a majority of Burlington would see their energy costs increase.

The only alternative is the far-less efficient electric options. Currently, the McNeil Wood Burning Plant is operating at 24% efficiency and is the largest producer of CO2 emissions in Vermont, meaning 3 of 4 trees sent to the plant are wasted.

Opportunity Vermont urges the Burlington City Council and the voters of Burlington to recognize the harm caused by bans and/or new taxes on heat, hot water and cooking. Signing this petition will urge the City Council to abandon this effort and call on the Legislature to reject the charter change if passed.