Vermont's Bottle Bill is our state's most successful recycling program. Thanks to the Bottle Bill, we recycle 85% of covered beverage containers, while states without Bottle Bills recycle, on average, only 24%. By updating the Bottle Bill we can keep millions more containers out of landfills and off of roadsides.
News & Updates
Bills to Watch in 2012
January 10, 2012
Green Cleaning
S.92 AN ACT RELATING TO THE PROTECTION OF STUDENTS’ HEALTH BY REQUIRING THE USE OF SAFE CLEANING PRODUCTS IN SCHOOLS
Sponsored by the Senate Committee on Education
Status: Waiting for full House vote
Environmentally-preferable cleaning products work just as well, cost about the same and– most importantly–are safer than conventional products currently being used to clean our classrooms. But without the passage of S. 92, cleaners used in our schools may still contain a number of harmful chemicals linked to asthma, cancer, developmental disorders and reproductive problems.
A Bigger, Better Bottle Bill
Chemical Reform
Solid Waste
Besides amending the requirements for the state solid waste management plan, this bill would require the agency of natural resources to conduct and present an in-depth review of the current collection program’s capacity, cost and efficiency to the general assembly. Also, it would require solid waste certified facilities and transporters collecting municipal solid waste to offer to collect mandated recyclables, leaf and yard residual separately from other solid waste at no additional charge.
Clean Energy
Vermont's Clean Energy Future
This bill improves the State’s net metering program and makes it even easier for Vermonters to power their homes and businesses with renewable energy.
Ban Hydrofracking
To prevent these problems before they start, VPIRG is coordinating the separate House and Senate bills to ensure that a complete ban on hydrofracking in Vermont passes this session.
Health Care
Transparency, Oversight and Accountability in Health Care
Other provisions would require health insurance companies to come clean about how many of our health care dollars are going to pay for executive and corporate board compensation packages, marketing and advertising, and political contributions to candidates and lobbying groups. This kind of transparency will help us bring about more savings in our health care system and ensure that a greater amount of those health care dollars go towards making us healthier.
Democracy
Campaign Finance Reform
Limiting the influence of big money and special interests Vermont's elections demands a two-pronged approach: enact commonsense limits on campaign contributions and establish better disclosure rules so that citizens know who's giving how much to whom. This bill is aimed at ensuring fairer and more transparent elections, which will encourage our politicians to do their most important job and represent our interests on today's critical issues like health care, energy independence and toxin-free schools.
Consumer Protection
GMO Labeling
This bill would require all genetically engineered food offered for sale in Vermont to be labeled as such.
Legislative Preview: What's on the Docket for 2012?
January 3, 2012
Clean Energy | Health Care | Environmental Health | Democracy
Powering Vermont's Clean Energy Future
We continue to work toward building a clean, renewable, reliable energy future for our state. VPIRG is working to pass a bill ensuring that a greater portion of your electricity comes from renewable sources. And, with 50% of Vermont's electricity already coming from clean energy sources like solar, wind, and hydropower, our goal, of an additional 30% more by 2025, is well within our reach.
Reaching our renewable electricity goals and laying a strong foundation for a local renewable energy industry go hand in hand. That's why VPIRG is working to make sure that at least half of that additional renewable energy comes from small and community scale renewable energy build right here in Vermont. Investing in our own Vermont renewables sector isn't just about keeping your money working in-state (though it will). It's about leaving a legacy we can be proud of--simply put, taking control of our energy future is the responsible thing to do.
Ban Hydrofracking
The mining industry has begun to form preliminary plans to explore our state for hydraulic fracturing (or hydrofracking) opportunities, which could lead to the massive public health, environment and groundwater contamination problems affecting our neighbors in New York and Pennsylvania. To stop the problems before they ever start, VPIRG is working to pass a complete ban on any future hydrofracking for natural gas in Vermont.
VPIRG will continue its fight for affordable and high-quality health care for all Vermonters this legislative session. Since the path we take on health care this year will determine the success of the reform movement, VPIRG will be working to make sure a few key votes turn out in Vermonters' favor.
A Check-up on Claims
Ensuring that Vermonters like you have access to the information you need to make good decisions about your health insurance is why we're working to pass a bill requiring insurance companies to report claims data. That way, you'll have the facts about paid and unpaid claims--as well as appeals that result from denied claims—for all carriers in the state. After all, you shouldn't have to worry that health insurance companies will get away with denying claims just to pad their bottom line.
Follow the Money
Vermonters deserve to know where their money is going. That's why VPIRG is pushing to pass S. 200, a bill that would require health insurance companies to come clean about:
- Salaries, bonuses and benefits for all corporate officers and board members
- Their company's travel, marketing and advertising expenses
- The amount and recipient of each political contribution made by the company, including the amount and recipient if company money is paid to groups that make political contributions and/or are engaged in lobbying
Getting Your Voice Heard
Vermont's health care system should be about people, not profits. That's why VPIRG is working to ensure that you have as many chances to have your ideas and concerns heard by legislators and agency officials. We'll continue to monitor and weigh in on the progress of the Green Mountain Care Board (the five-person board overseeing the reform process) to make sure that your choice of doctor, access and quality of care stays the same, or improves. We'll continue to give you opportunities to speak with key decision makers face-to-face.
For a calendar of health care events, updates from the GMC Board or to join our fight for affordable and quality health care for all Vermonters, visit: http://www.vpirg.org/healthcare.
Clean and Green: An A+ for VT Schools
VPIRG is closer than ever to passing a bill that would ensure the use of safer cleaning products in schools. Environmentally preferable cleaning products work just as well, cost about the same and—most importantly—are safer than conventional cleaning products currently used in our schools, which contain a number of harmful chemicals linked to asthma, cancer, developmental disorders and reproductive problems. We brought the bill to the brink of passage last year and expect it to be up for final passage in the House as soon as tomorrow and it could be headed to the governor for his signature by next week!
Protecting and Expanding the Bottle Bill
Vermont's Bottle Bill is the state's most successful recycling program. VPIRG is working to build on the success of this program by updating it this legislative session.
Strengthening the Bottle Bill will take two main forms: updating its provisions so that you'll be able to redeem water bottles and other non-carbonated beverage containers (including hard cider and wine bottles), and closing the "unclaimed nickel" loophole. That way, the deposits from unredeemed containers will go back to the State instead of beverage industry executives.
Comprehensive Chemical Reform
Every year, there are 1,000 new chemicals added to the more than 80,000 chemicals approved for commercial use in the United States. Potential health and environmental impact data only exists for a very few. Though VPIRG has had great successes addressing individual toxins, Vermonters deserve a truly comprehensive, statewide system that identifies and limits harmful toxins in everyday products. Protecting our children is hard enough—you shouldn't have to worry their favorite toys are potentially exposing them to untested chemicals.
Citizens Fight Back
In its recent ruling that corporations are "persons" and that their money is "free speech," the U.S. Supreme Court opened the floodgates for powerful corporations to influence federal elections and drown out the public voice to an unprecedented degree. To begin the process of reversing this wrongheaded decision, VPIRG is working to pass a resolution asking Congress to pass a Constitutional amendment that would undo the harmful effects of the Citizens decision.
But VPIRG isn't just waiting for Congress act. Here in Vermont, we're advocating for a law requiring corporations to get approval from shareholders before spending one dime to influence the outcome of elections in Vermont.
Campaign Finance Reform
Limiting the influence of big money and special interests Vermont's elections demands a two-pronged approach: enact commonsense limits on campaign contributions, and establish better disclosure rules so that citizens know who's giving to whom, and how much. Fairer and more transparent elections will encourage our politicians to do their most important job and represent our interests on today's critical issues like health care, energy independence and toxin-free schools.
More Value for Your Vote
Vermonters know that casting a ballot isn't just about the person you're voting for; it's also about the values you want your politicians to promote. To ensure that your voice is truly heard--and your support truly felt—VPIRG is working to pass a better "Fusion Voting" system that would allow you to vote for your chosen candidate on any of the party ballot lines endorsing your pick. Fusion voting maintains the integrity of your vote—it still goes to your favorite candidate, as usual—but it means you're sending an additional message about which party's values come closest to your own and making it easier for your candidate to represent you after taking office.
