Seeking to expedite Vermont’s recovery after this week’s catastrophic flooding — and a second round of severe weather Thursday night — Gov. Phil Scott has cut some of the state’s regulatory red tape so that workers can quickly repair vital infrastructure and secure the state’s supply chain.
On Thursday evening, Scott signed an addendum to an earlier executive order that would direct state agencies and departments “to provide specific and temporary regulatory relief to expedite the state’s response” to the floods.
Specifically, Thursday’s executive order opens availability for gravel, rock fill, asphalt and concrete to repair roads. It also eases rules for commercial motor vehicles transporting supplies, goods, materials, equipment and food to the state — and, more broadly, aims to facilitate transportation of materials and equipment. Scott’s office is also offering professional service licensing flexibility.
Scott was able to issue his executive order under rules granted to the Governor’s Office during a statewide emergency, which he declared earlier this week.
“This historic rainfall and flooding have caused catastrophic damage to infrastructure across the state, and destroyed homes and businesses,” Scott said in a press release Thursday. “Securing and rebuilding roads and critical infrastructure needs to happen quickly to keep Vermonters safe. To move as quickly as this response requires, we need to pause certain requirements and waive specific restrictions that can delay this important work.”
According to the press release, Scott is considering other regulatory relief and action in light of this week’s natural disaster.