Instead of launching a shiny new climate program this year, lawmakers are looking at a more concrete means to meet legally binding goals to reduce carbon emissions: data collection. A proposed greenhouse gas reporting program would collect data on emissions from fuel suppliers, largely for heating and transportation, which together make up about 70% of state emissions. “I am not convinced that spending $800,000 of taxpayer money on a new data collection system is essential,” Cota said Thursday. Vermont already collects some fuel and emissions data, but not in a way that lets regulators clearly see who is producing how much pollution. Tracking emissions data is only becoming more difficult for states like Vermont under the current administration, according to Jane Lazorchak, director of the Climate Action Office.