Columnist Criticizes Vermont Governor’s Veto of Data Center Regulation Bill
Columnist Bob Stannard criticizes Gov. Phil Scott for vetoing a Vermont data center regulation bill that had broad bipartisan support in the Legislature. Stannard argues that Scott’s subsequent advocacy for similar federal oversight is inconsistent and that stronger regulations are needed to protect Vermont’s environment.
Vermont columnist Bob Stannard argues that Gov. Phil Scott acted inconsistently by vetoing a data center regulation bill while sending his secretary of natural resources to Washington to support stronger federal oversight. The bill passed the Senate 26-3 and received near-unanimous support in the House before Scott rejected it, saying existing protections were sufficient and warning that the measure could discourage development.
Stannard uses Vermont’s Act 250 and past concerns about poorly planned real estate development to argue that regulation can protect the state’s rural character and natural resources. The article is opinion commentary rather than a report on a specific data center project, and it criticizes Scott’s broader record of vetoes and policy positions.