Douglas vetoes Yankee decommissioning bill

May 8, 2008

MONTPELIER — Gov. Jim Douglas vetoed a bill that could have required Vermont Yankee to boost its commitment to the nuclear power plant’s decommissioning fund, saying he was protecting Vermont’s electric costs.

Those who supported the bill, however, said the measure would have protected Vermonters against long-term costs associated with the plant’s eventual closure.

Legislators who supported the bill wanted the plant’s owner to be held to a higher shutdown standard than is included in the 2002 Public Service Board agreement with Entergy. That agreement allows for waste to be contained at the plant for up to 60 years, during which the decommissioning fund would be expected to grow with interest. Symington called that time frame “ludicrous.”

“That was clearly a bad deal,” said Paul Burns, executive director of Vermont Public Interest Research Group. “What’s wrong with improving the situation if it’s going to be sold?”

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House fails to override campaign finance veto by one vote

April 26, 2008

MONTPELIER — For the second time in a year, the Vermont House failed by a single vote to override Gov. James Douglas' veto of a new campaign finance reform bill.Friday's vote of 99-51 came one vote shy of the two-thirds majority needed to override the veto of the bill, which would have set specific contribution limits for political candidates.

House Speaker Gaye Symington, D-Jericho, who made the rare move Friday of casting her vote to override the veto from the speaker's podium, said she was disappointed in the outcome and cast her blame toward Douglas, whom she is considering a run against this year.

After Douglas vetoed last year's campaign finance bill — a veto that House lawmakers also failed to override by a single vote during a special summer session — Symington said lawmakers sought a compromise with the governor.

"We'll be back here next year," Burns said. "And until then, the problem of money in politics will only get worse."

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Yankee review heavily debated

April 16, 2008

MONTPELIER — Federal regulators said Tuesday they will consider expanding the scope of their inspection of the Vermont Yankee facility in Vernon, but lawmakers and advocates said the promise does not ensure an adequate review of the 36-year-old nuclear plant.

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Lawmakers will try to override vetoes

April 14, 2008

MONTPELIER — The Legislature will soon decide if two bills should become law even though they were rejected by Gov. James Douglas.

Since legislators would like to have those veto override votes completed before the end of the session, slated for early May, the state Senate may begin that process as early as this week.

One of the bills, establishing campaign-finance limits, is likely to gain most of the attention.
It is much less likely that the other, creating an instant-runoff voting system for Congressional elections in Vermont, would win the two-thirds majority in both the Senate and the House needed to override a veto.

The Vermont Public Interest Research Group, which has been a major force behind the campaign finance bill, has taken aim at Douglas' message on that veto.

In his veto message Douglas said the bill, by limiting how much money political parties can give to their candidates, protects incumbents.

"The proposed party contribution limits extend unfair political protection to incumbents by establishing an obstacle for challengers," Douglas said.

Not really, according to VPIRG. During the 2002, 2004 and 2006 election cycles — when Vermont's very strict campaign limits of $200 were in place — incumbent state House members were more likely to lose their seats than they have been in the years before or afterward, according to the group's research.

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It should be easy to stop junk mail

By Paul Burns
March 16, 2008

Each year, the direct mail industry sends Vermonters over 40 million pounds of junk mail or 64 pounds per person, with little regard to whether people actually want to receive their solicitations for credit cards, cable TV and the like.

Fortunately, Rep. Chris Pearson, P-Burlington, and 25 tri-partisan co-sponsors in the Vermont House have introduced H.409 to create an opt-in Do Not Mail registry, modeled after the very popular Do Not Call registry. Since 2003, the Do Not Call registry has provided more than 150 million people with a free and comprehensive way to end intrusive telemarketing calls. It is arguably the most popular consumer-rights bill ever passed.

We believe individuals should have a similar choice about receiving unsolicited mail. In 2006, America's mailboxes were stuffed with over 104 billion pieces...

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Entergy Corp. feeling legislative heat

March 15, 2008

MONTPELIER -- Hundreds of bills filtered through the Statehouse this week as the legislative session reached its midpoint, but no topic was the focus of more of them than Vermont Yankee.

Four bills zeroed in on issues surrounding the Vernon nuclear power plant, including two coming out of committees Friday. At least one more might be coming from legislators who question the plant's physical and financial safety.

The scrutiny comes as the Legislature gears up for a vote next year on whether the plant should be allowed to continue operating beyond 2012, when the plant will be 40 years old and its license expires.

"As somebody said yesterday, at the Vermont Statehouse we have the Vermont Yankee channel 24 hours a day," said Brian Cosgrove, spokesman for Vermont Yankee. Though he was joking, he finds the legislation no laughing matter.

"It's reasonable for a thinking Vermonter to conclude that at least some of the goals would make it difficult to relicense Vermont Yankee," Cosgrove said.

That would be fine with some supporters of the bills. "I think they all point to the problem Vermont's facing with an aging nuclear power plant," said James Moore, energy policy coordinator for Vermont Public Interest Group.

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Vt. lawmakers mull idea of same-day voter registration

March 14, 2008

MONTPELIER – With an eye toward boosting voter turnout in Vermont, some lawmakers are considering allowing residents to register to vote right up through Election Day.

At least nine other states, including neighbors New Hampshire and Maine, allow residents to register to vote on the same day as an election and advocates say that has led to increased voter turnout.

In Vermont, residents must register to vote six days prior to an election, usually the Wednesday prior to a Tuesday election. And while Vermont has a higher turnout than the national average, it still ranks 17th among the states, according to the secretary of state's office.

Allowing for same-day registration could boost statewide voter turnout by nearly 5 percent, according to Paul Burns, the executive director of the Vermont Public Interest Research Group, who distributed copies of a study on the issue released this winter by Demos, a New York City-based nonprofit group.

He added that turnout among young voters, typically the lowest among all the age demographics, could be increased by 10 percent, and turnout for low-income voters could be boosted by 6 percent.

"Vermont is very proud of its high voter turnout," he said. "But we can do better."

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Douglas seeks independent review of Yankee

March 13, 2008

MONTPELIER -- Gov. Jim Douglas decided Wednesday to jump-start the process to have an independent assessment of the safety and reliability of the Entergy Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant rather than wait for lawmakers to pass a bill detailing the scope for such an evaluation.

Senators, meanwhile, voted 24-3 Wednesday to give preliminary approval to a bill that sets out the scope of the review they would like to see. The bill calls for the Department of Public Service to select an independent team of experts to conduct a detailed audit of the plant -- an evaluation that could cost the plant as much as $25 million.

James Moore of the Vermont Public Interest Research Group counters that before the Legislature or the Vermont Public Service Board considers whether Vermont Yankee should stay open past 2012, "the plant deserves a top-to-bottom look." He argued that the Senate bill didn't go far enough.

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VT Senate wants detailed inspection of nuclear plant

Wednesday March 12, 2008
Montpelier, Vt.

(Host) The Vermont Senate has called for a detailed inspection of the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant. Lawmakers say they need the independent inspection before they vote on whether to extend the plant's license for another 20 years.

VPR's John Dillon reports.

...(Dillon) But the Vermont Public Interest Research Group says the legislation falls short. James Moore is the group's energy expert.

(Moore) We commend the Senate for doing the work that they did on this bill. However, it doesn't go far enough. It looks at approximately 15% of the Vermont Yankee facility. And Vermonters deserve to have the entire facility looked at.

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Lawmakers call for review of Vermont Yankee safety

March 1, 2008

MONTPELIER -- A Senate committee wants to require an independent review of the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant, with oversight by a panel appointed by the Legislature.

The Senate Finance Committee passed a bill this week that would require a "vertical audit" of the plant before the state decides whether the plant should continue operation beyond its current license, which expires in 2012.

James Moore, energy policy coordinator for the Vermont Public Interest Research Group, said his group would like to see a more in-depth review. "We think if this facility is going to continue past the closing date in 2012 it should have a top to bottom, inside out look," he said. "That's a small price to pay."

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House passes new version of last year's energy bill

February 14, 2008

MONTPELIER – The Vermont House on Wednesday passed by a massive margin a new version of the energy bill shot down last year by Gov. James Douglas' veto.

But the Murphy's Law of legislating remained in place: If lawmakers make compromises to gain support on one side, they risk loosing the bill on the other.

So while the House version of the bill offered the Douglas administration some compromises compared to last year's measure, it may run into trouble when it heads back to the Senate, where those compromises might not be popular. And some renewable energy advocates were lukewarm in their support of the House version, at best.

(...)Advocates of wind power development said the bill, in fact, doesn't go far enough to encourage such alternative energy. The problem, they said, is the establishment of a minimum tax on wind projects based on their top potential capacity, whether they are running or not. If the turbines were running, the tax would be based on actual production.

That could especially be a problem for small and mid-sized projects of one or two turbines, such as might be put up by a town or village, said James Moore of the Vermont Public Interest Research Group.

"For that community, it could effectively triple their tax" if the turbines were not operating, Moore said.

The bill does not move far enough fast enough on implementing the new efficiency programs either, and gives too much say to the administration in how they are structured, Moore said.
More importantly, however, is the realization in the Statehouse that Vermonters want such a program, Moore said.

"Republicans, Democrats and Progressives all recognize that Vermonters want renewable energy and want help reducing their heating bills" he said.

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Bill would boost mammogram coverage

February 13, 2008

MONTPELIER — Cassandra LaRae-Perez was surprised when she found out she would have to pay out of pocket for a mammogram. She was even more shocked when she learned that — at 39 — she had breast cancer.

Now, having gone through surgery and still in radiation therapy, LaRae-Perez wanted to do something good with what she learned. By coincidence, as a lobbyist for one of the state's largest lobbying and law firms, she knew her way around the Statehouse.

"When something like this happens you want something good to come out of it," she said
Now a bill LaRae-Perez worked on with the Vermont Public Interest Research Group and was introduced by Sen. John Campbell, D-Windsor, is scheduled to be on the floor of the Senate today.

"This bill makes sure no woman in Vermont has to pay more than $25 out of pocket for a screening mammogram," said Stefanie Sidortsova of VPIRG.

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Panel hears pros and cons of junk mail

February 8, 2008

MONTPELIER -- Residents of the 22 towns in the Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District probably receive 23 million pieces of junk mail a year, said Donna Barlow Casey, the district's executive director.

Whether it's recycled or ends up in a landfill, Casey said managing junk mail costs the district $168,000 annually.

"Junk mail is a waste," Casey told members of the House Commerce Committee on Thursday. "A waste of resources, a waste of time, a waste of money." She told lawmakers she welcomed a bill that would set up a registry for Vermonters who don't wish to receive unsolicited commercial mail.

"To me, the key question on the table is whether or not Vermonters have the right to control their own mailboxes," said Paul Burns, executive director of the Vermont Public Interest Research Group.

Burns noted that it's possible to contact businesses and ask them to stop sending advertisements. People can also register with a mail preference service run by the Direct Mail Association.
Burns asked the committee, "Why aren't we doing more to make it easy for people?"

He also questioned an economic model of direct mail, noting that responses to unsolicited advertising run around 3 percent.

"There has got to be a better way than having a 97 percent waste rate," Burns said. Mailers don't pay the full cost of this wasteful system, he added. It's the people who receive junk mail who incur the cost of disposing or recycling it.

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Douglas still not happy with campaign finance bill

February 8, 2008

MONTPELIER — The House Government Operations Committee gave Gov. Jim Douglas half of what he wanted in a revised campaign finance reform bill — but it may not be enough to avert a veto.

“We continue to have serious concerns about the bill,” Jason Gibbs, spokesman for Douglas, said today.

The House panel weighed whether to give Douglas everything he wanted, but lawmakers decided they were comfortable with the bill as they had written it. They voted 9-0 to send the bill to the full House for a vote Wednesday.

The bill, as written, would take effect immediately. That’s a problem, said Rob Roper, chairman of the Vermont Republican Party. “You are changing the rules in the middle of the campaign season.”

Paul Burns, executive director of the Vermont Public Interest Research Group, sees minimal legal risk because the Legislature paid attention to the guidelines set out in the U.S. Supreme Court decision. He said, “It’s a common sense bill that allows fair participation in elections while preventing a few political action committees, corporations or individuals from dominating the process.”

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VT Edition Interview: Paul Burns & Rob Roper on campaign finance reform

Friday January 25, 2008
Bob Kinzel
Colchester, VT

New campaign finance reform legislation is passing quickly through the Legislature. Is it too late for lawmakers to pass this bill and let it apply to this year election? VPR's Bob Kinzel talks with Paul Burns, the Executive Director of Vermont Public Interest Research Group and Rob Roper, Chairman of the Vermont Republican Party about the bill's chances.

Listen to the interview here
http://www.vpr.net/news_detail/79088/

Campaign finance reform bill moving quickly through Legislature

Friday January 25, 2008
Montpelier, Vt.

(Host) Supporters of a new campaign finance reform bill say their measure is needed to eliminate "the appearance" of corruption in Vermont politics.

The Vermont Public Interest Research Group is a strong supporter of the new campaign finance reform bill. VPIRG's executive director is Paul Burns:

(Burns)"There is an appearance of corruption that the court has also recognized as being a legitimate reason for putting some rational limits what individuals corporations PACS and others can give to candidates the limits contained in this bill are not the lowest in the nation and we are not trying to limit what candidates can spend in a race."

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Vt. Senate rushes to OK campaign finance bill

January 21, 2008

MONTPELIER — The bill establishing new contribution limits for Vermont political campaigns was hurried through the Senate last week with just enough time for a nearly party-line vote. It gained final Senate approval Friday and has now moved on to the House.

Paul Burns, the head of the Vermont Public Interest Research Group, gave members of the Senate advice in how to write the campaign finance law. It is legally defensible, he said.

"The bill has been changed in a number of ways that make it comport with all of the guidance given to us by the Supreme Court," Burns said. "The Legislature has listened and responded to all of the guidance the Supreme Court gave. It is as defensible as it can be and still have some meaning."

"They sought our advice and counsel on this," Burns said. The legislators also heard from the Vermont Republican Party and Bopp as well. "That is part of our process here," Burns said, pointing out that Vermont's citizen Legislature has a limited staff.

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Power suppliers hope to have contracts by end of year

Wednesday January 9, 2008

MONTPELIER, Vt.

(Host) As the Vermont Legislature sets an ambitious agenda on energy issues, many of the ultimate decisions on where our power comes from in the future will be made by Vermont's utilities. The state's two major power companies are negotiating new contracts with Hydro Quebec and Vermont Yankee. They hope to have both contracts signed by the end of the year.

(Dillon) A leading environmental group says it's irresponsible for Douglas not to plan ahead for Yankee's shutdown in 2012. James Moore is an energy specialist with the Vermont Public Interest Research Group.

(Moore) ``We've known for a long time that Vermont Yankee's license to operate ends in 2012. It's an old facility. It's 40 years old at that point.So the fact that the governor hasn't been planning for any kind of alternatives is disappointing, to say the least. And we're going to be looking to the legislature, and the governor, to step up, and start planning for the future that we know is around the corner.''

(Dillon) Moore and other environmentalists say the state can replace Vermont Yankee through investments in renewable energy, and energy efficiency. He says any short term gap can be filled by buying power in the market.

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Friction eases on energy legislation, but will it last?

January 7, 2008

MONTPELIER -- Rep. Robert Dostis sat down with Gov. Jim Douglas last month and talked about energy efficiency. Down the street, energy consultants hired by legislative leaders huddled with Douglas administration staff.

The significance? No such meetings of the mind were happening last legislative session as debate over creating an energy-efficiency program erupted into political warfare, reaching a crescendo in June with a gubernatorial veto. The Democratic-controlled Legislature and Republican governor could not agree on the scope of a program to make Vermont homes and businesses more energy efficient or how to pay for it.

Since the Legislature last met in July, the price of heating fuel has climbed. Meanwhile, in October, the Governor's Climate Change Commission listed expanding the state's electric efficiency program to all fuels as one of its top recommendations.

Some say those factors leave Douglas no choice but to accept the energy legislation. "His position has shifted," said Paul Burns, executive director of the Vermont Public Interest Research Group. "He's willing to embrace the fundamental concept of an energy-efficiency utility."

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Sanders votes against global warming bill

November 2, 2007

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Bernie Sanders voted Thursday to oppose a sweeping global warming bill because he does not believe it is strong enough to prevent catastrophic climate change by the middle of this century.

"This bill is in fact a step forward, but we have a very long way to go to produce a bill that will truly reduce global warming and reflect what the scientific community tells us needs to be done," the independent senator said after the vote by a key Senate panel.

Sanders' vote to oppose the bill drew praise from the Vermont Public Interest Research Group.

"Senators Lieberman and Warner deserve credit for pushing action on global warming, but Vermont's Senator Bernie Sanders deserves the highest praise for not supporting the bill, which does more to support corporate welfare than it does to reduce global warming pollution," the group said in a written statement Thursday.

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Senate to Mother Earth: Sorry, Mom

Seven Days Blogs: Freyne Land
Thursday, November 01, 2007

Word from Independent U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders' office that the subcommittee Ol' Bernardo sits on on the Environment and Public Works Committee that handles global warming approved on a 4-3 vote today "a global warming bill that Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) opposed because it would not reduce emissions of greenhouse gases as much as scientists say is necessary to stop catastrophic changes in Earth’s climate.

As Paul Burns over at the Vermont Public Interest Research Group pointed out to yours truly, "Bernie actually proposed nine different amendments to strengthen the bill, one of which was accepted. Most of the others were defeated 5-2 or on a voice vote. It's really true that no one in the Senate (perhaps the US gov't) is doing more than Bernie Sanders to fight global warming."

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Sanders votes against global warming bill

Thursday November 1, 2007
Colchester, VT

(Host) Senator Bernie Sanders has voted against a global warming bill - and environmental leaders are praising him.

Both the senator and the environmentalists say the bill doesn't go nearly far enough.

Sanders says the version that was approved by a subcommittee of the Senate's environmental panel would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by no more than 63% over the next 40 years.
He held out for legislation that would have reduced the heat-trapping emissions by 80% by 2050.

The Vermont Public Interest Research Group supports Sanders' position. James Moore is VPIRG's clean energy advocate. He says industry would get too much from the bill and consumers wouldn't get enough.

(Moore) "It's a half measure that gives too much money to existing fossil fuel industries like the oil companies and the coal companies, who are making record profits as is and certainly shouldn't be benefiting...

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Governor's panel lays out energy-efficiency road map

October 27, 2007

MONTPELIER -- The Governor's Commission on Climate Change called for increased energy efficiency, greater use of renewable energy, more public transit and a collaboration with the state's colleges to foster research and try to attract environmental jobs, among other items, as it issues its final report Friday.

James Moore, clean energy advocate for the Vermont Public Interest Research Group who served on the advisory group, said he was pleased to see the commission keep intact the advisory group's recommendations. "The question that remains is whether or not our governor will recognize the report or sweep it under the rug," Moore said.

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Climate panel submits report

October 27, 2007

MONTPELIER — The commission charged with finding how the state should reduce its contribution to global climate change — and profit from concerns worldwide about the issue — released its final report Friday calling for more energy efficiency, renewable energy development and the creation of an alliance between the state, nonprofit groups and Vermont's colleges and universities.

The commission called in its report for the expansion of the efficiency efforts begun by the state's electrical efficiency program to other fuels, and for more renewable energy to be developed in the state.

That means commercial scale wind power, the cheapest way to develop such projects within Vermont's borders, said James Moore of the Vermont Public Interest Research Group.

"You have got to have wind in Vermont as part of our electricity future," said Moore, who added that the report "comes on the same day as oil prices hit a new record high and Vermonters are turning on their furnaces for the winter."

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Vt. climate change group urges use of renewable energy

Governor's commission completes two-year climate change report






Saturday, October 27

MONTPELIER -- A governor's commission charged with making recommendations on how to curb greenhouse gas emissions recommended that the state expand energy efficiency programs, support renewable energy and team up with its colleges and universities to develop a "green economy" in Vermont.

Renewable energy advocate James Moore of the Vermont Public Interest Research Group called the report a "road map to support our economy and reduce global warming pollution at the same time." But he said his group would act as a watchdog to see if the governor takes the recommendations and actually acts on them.

He said the first recommendation is for an all-fuels utility that will help Vermonters reduce heating and electricity bill, which the governor vetoed in the last legislative session.

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Commission on Climate Change releases detailed plan

Friday October 26, 2007
Montpelier, Vt.

(Host) After almost two years of work, the Governor's Commission on Climate Change has laid out a detailed plan for how Vermont can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% in five years.

The commission met today for the final time and handed its report to Governor Jim Douglas. The panel's recommendations range from expanding energy conservation programs to creating a center for climate change within state government.

James Moore is an energy specialist with the Vermont Public Interest Research Group. He says the technical data in the report shows that the most cost-effective way to cut greenhouse gas pollution is by reducing energy demand.

(Moore) "Where the rubber is going to meet the road is clearly if the governor is going to take the commission's recommendations to heart, he needs to change his tune, support more energy efficiency...

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It's time to sign up for health care

August 23, 2007

It seems that too many of us have the high price of health care on our minds.

In Vermont more than 60,000 of our friends, co-workers and neighbors are currently uninsured. Here in Rutland County, more than 5,600 people do not have health insurance. Thousands more of our neighbors throughout Vermont have insurance, but can only afford high $2,000, $5,000 and even $10,000 deductible "catastrophic" plans, many of which offer no hospitalization or primary care coverage. Of those who qualify for VHAP or other Vermont Medicaid programs, roughly 51 percent have not taken advantage of this coverage.

To help Vermonters enroll in Catamount Health and Vermont's Medicaid programs, AARP Vermont, the Vermont National Education Association, the Vermont Public Interest Research Group and the Vermont Citizens Campaign for Health joined together to form a new group called the Vermont Campaign for Health Care Security Education Fund. The fund's primary purpose is to work toward the goal of assisting all eligible Vermonters to enroll in one of the state health care programs, be it Catamount Health, Medicaid, or VHAP.

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Wind Project Approved

August 8, 2007

UPC Wind plans to start building 16 towers next summer in Sheffield. They will each be around 420 feet tall and provide enough energy to serve over 15-thousand homes.

"We are really pleased that the Public Service Board has recognized the economic and environmental benefits of wind power to Vermonters," said Matt Kearns with UPC Wind.

The road to approval has been rocky and emotional. Opponents remain worried about noise, and the visual impacts.

"We've seen wind projects permitted in New Hampshire, Maine. Vermont is now catching up and getting on that band wagon. I think we will see more clean generation, more wind power come on lin here in Vermont over the next decade," said James Moore with the Vt. Public Interest Research Group.

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Vermont Limits on Political Gifts in Limbo

July 15, 2007

MONTPELIER – It seems like everything is going Rob Roper's way these days. The 38-year-old chairman of the state's Republican Party is on a roll. Last year, the Vermont GOP won a lawsuit before the U.S. Supreme Court, overturning the state's strictest-in-the-nation campaign finance law.

Paul Burns of the Vermont Public Interest Research Group:"The more wealthy individuals can give to candidates running for office the less the average individual's voice will be heard. Most Vermonters couldn't imagine giving even a $500 gift to someone running for office, much less thousands of dollars … we would be kidding ourselves to think that in exchange for giving large contributions like that you aren't getting something in return."

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Veto override effort fails

July 12, 2007

MONTPELIER - The emotions and rhetoric in the Statehouse on Wednesday were as hot as the weather outside as the global warming bill that took up much of this year’s lawmaking session melted away to nothing.

The Democrat-controlled House was unable to override Gov. James Douglas’ veto of the bill and a compromise version sent over from the Senate a few hours later was dead on arrival.

. The Vermont Public Interest Research Group even arranged for a rotating group of volunteers - because of the heat - to wear a polar bear costume and roam the halls.

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Political theater plays at Statehouse

July 12, 2007

MONTPELIER — It was too hot for the polar bear. By lunchtime, with temperatures near 80 degrees and high humidity, the woman inside the furry costume had to take it off.

That's just the point, said environmental advocates, who turned out en masse Wednesday at the Statehouse to lobby lawmakers to override Gov. Jim Douglas' veto of an energy bill.

"It's a preview of global warming," said Andrea Stander, a spokeswoman for Vermont Public Interest Research Group.

More than 300 people lined hallways, chambers and galleries to urge lawmakers to override the governor's veto of a bill aimed at reducing the state's greenhouse gas emissions and offering residents help in conserving energy in their homes.

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Legislators sustain governor's veto on energy bill

July 12, 2007

MONTPELIER -- Democrats came up 12 votes short of overriding the governor's veto of an energy bill in the House on Wednesday, then couldn't quite pull off an effort to resurrect the bulk of the bill.

Together with a failed veto override of a campaign finance bill it meant two political victories for Republican Gov. Jim Douglas over the Democratic-controlled Legislature.

Jennifer Quavelin of Burlington was among the sticker-clad supporters of the bill. She said she has followed the energy bill with interest and came at the urging of the Vermont Public Interest Research Group. "I'm disappointed that our representatives chose to defend the interests of big business," she said.

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Campaign finance override fails by one vote

July 12, 2007

MONTPELIER -- Campaign finance reform legislation died Wednesday when the House fell one vote shy of the 98 needed to override Gov. Jim Douglas' veto.

"It is a bitter disappointment to lose by a single vote," said Paul Burns, executive director of the Vermont Public Interest Research Group, which has long championed restrictions on money in elections. "We consider it a temporary victory for fat cats and special interests."

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Special veto session to start in a stalemate

July 11, 2007

MONTPELIER – When lawmakers return to the Statehouse today for a one-day meeting they will be greeted by an energy activist in a polar bear costume — and by a decision about whether to make an energy efficiency bill into law over Gov. James Douglas' veto.

Both sides said Tuesday their opponents had failed to compromise enough to allow a new version of the measure to be crafted and made into law.

Meanwhile, advocates for the legislation, including AARP Vermont, Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility and the Vermont Public Interest Research Group, continued to pressure for the passage of the bill despite the governor's veto. Advocates are said to have arranged for a volunteer wearing a polar bear costume to arrive at the Statehouse to highlight the impact of global warming pollution — including from heating fuel use — on the species.

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Energy debate draws big crowd

July 11, 2007

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - There's a circus atmosphere at the Vermont Statehouse in Montpelier today, complete with a person dressed as a polar bear trying to share a message about the dangers of global climate change.

House and Senate galleries are packed with Vermonters, many of them hoping that lawmakers gathered in special session will muster the two-thirds majorities to override Governor Jim Douglas veto of a bill designed to reduce emissions from and costs of heating homes and buildings.

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Veto session to decide campaign finance law

July 10, 2007

MONTPELIER – If the Legislature fails to override Gov. James Douglas' veto of the new campaign finance reform on Wednesday, Vermont politicians will find themselves operating under an outmoded law for a second election.

Democratic leaders in the Senate and the House both said late last week that they believe they have the votes – a two-thirds majority – to make the reform bill law without Douglas' support.

The campaign finance reform bill will be the Senate's first order of business during the July 11 veto session and President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin, D-Windham, said the chamber's Democrats will easily buck Douglas' veto.

"I expect we'll override the governor's veto and send the bill over to the House that morning," Shumlin said Thursday.

"It'll be a very close vote," said Paul Burns, the executive director of the Vermont Public Interest Research Group, an advocacy organization in Montpelier that lobbied hard for the passage of the bill this year. "But there are a number of things that give us hope."

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Sanders, McKibben preach the gospel of climate change

July 9, 2007

MONTPELIER — With "Live Earth" over and a Statehouse vote on a climate change bill ahead, more than 250 people packed a high school cafeteria Sunday for a town meeting on global warming, with U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and author Bill McKibben telling them the movement to curtail it is gaining ground but far from adequate.

"This has to become a movement as passionate and willing to sacrifice as the civil rights movement a generation ago," said McKibben, the Ripton writer whose 1989 book "The End of Nature" was among the first to sound the climate change alarm.

"It is the largest threat to our civilization that we've ever faced," he said.

Both were fresh in the minds of speakers at the meeting, where Vermont Public Interest Research Group passed out fliers urging people to lobby their lawmakers to vote to override Gov. Jim Douglas' veto of the bill, which would expand an existing program that helps homeowners conserve energy use and pay for it by imposing a new tax on the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant.

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Decades-old energy policy issues come to head in debate

July 8, 2007

MONTPELIER, Vt. --Gregory Sanford may have the worst case of deja vu in Vermont.

With energy policy at the center of statewide debate, the state archivist has been delving back into the records of former Gov. Thomas Salmon.

What he sees are echoes of the present: Skyrocketing gasoline prices and a sudden interest in wind, solar and other renewable energy sources.

Backers of the energy bill are vowing to keep up the pressure. The Vermont Public Interest Research Group and Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility will join AARP at a Statehouse news conference on Tuesday -- the eve of the special session -- to urge lawmakers to override the veto.

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Sanders touts energy bill efficiency standards

June 22, 2007

Senator Bernie Sanders says a new energy bill just passed by the U.S. Senate will help save consumers money when it's fully implemented because the plan substantially raises fuel efficiency standards.

But the overall bill doesn't go as far as some renewable ene