News & Updates
New Study: Mercury in Tuna May Present Greater Risk than Thought
September 19, 2012
For immediate release: Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Montpelier, VT – Some children may be at greater risk from mercury in tuna than previously thought, finds a new study by the Mercury Policy Project (MPP). Tuna Surprise contains the first-ever test results of canned tuna sold to schools, including Vermont schools, and assesses children’s mercury exposure from canned tuna. Click here to download the executive summary.
Independent studies, not available when government advisories were issued eight years ago, indicate that adverse effects to methylmercury occur at much lower levels of exposure than previously believed.…
Find a Health Care Forum Near You
September 17, 2012
Over the next year and a half Vermont is going to be making big changes in how we deal with health care. This is why VPIRG is partnering with a number of other organizations to sponsor health care forums across the state. These forums are a great opportunity to find out what health care reform will mean to you, and how you can help create a system that works for all of us.
Below is a list of forums sponsored by Healthcare Is a Human Right Campaign – Vermont Workers’ Center, Vermont Leads: Single Payer Now!, Alliance of Retired Americans, (ARA),Vermont Federation of Nurses & Health Professionals AFT Local 5221, United Academics, United Professionals of Vermont – AFT, Vermont AFL-CIO, Vermont Center for Independent Living, Vermont Early Educators United-AFT, Vermont NEA, VCCH, Health Care Ombusdman, Vermont Healthcare for All, Physicians for a National Health Program (Vermont Chapter), Voices for Vermont Children and VPIRG.…
VPIRG Statement on Entergy’s latest lawsuit against Vermont
September 12, 2012
For Immediate Release: 9/12/12
Given Entergy’s track record, it’s not a surprise that it would rather spend its money on high-priced lawyers than pay its fair share to the people of Vermont. That’s what this lawsuit is all about. And the fact is, Entergy is still only being asked to cough up a fraction of what the company should be paying in taxes.
The rate of taxation that Entergy is trying to weasel its way out of paying is substantially less than what wind farms in Vermont have to pay now. That makes no sense, but what is even crazier is that Entergy Louisiana is unwilling to do even this much.…
VPIRG Releases 2011-2012 Legislative Scorecard
September 5, 2012
The Vermont Public Interest Research Group released its 2011-2012 Legislative Scorecard on public interest issues today. As the state’s largest consumer and environmental advocacy organization, VPIRG is involved in a broad range of policy debates in Montpelier, from health care reform to banning fracking.
The 2011-2012 Legislative Scorecard tracks votes on clean energy, health care, consumer protection, green cleaning, campaign finance reform, Bottle Bill expansion, a ban on fracking and more. Most of the votes included are on issues that VPIRG supported, but this year’s scorecard also has several votes where the public interest vote was a “no.” These include a proposed moratorium on wind power development and a proposed delay in health care reform.…
Intern Working for Health Care Justice
September 1, 2012
Health Care intern Alison Stokes was a major part of VPIRG’s work to let Vermonters know what federal health care reform will mean for their daily lives. As part of this work Alison drafted VPIRG’s “Underinsured Report” which will be published later this fall.
Montpelier’s District Heat Project is a Go!
August 30, 2012
Montpelier’s City Council voted 5-1 in favor of the District Heat project. The vote cast in special session reversed the previous week’s 4-2 council vote to halt the project. Following a week of intensive negotiations between the city and state and a tremendous outpouring of public support, VPIRG is delighted to see the project moving forward.
For recent news coverage of the final approval:
- Read the Times-Argus’ front page story
- Watch coverage on WPTZ-Channel 5
- Watch coverage on Fox 44
- Watch coverage on WCAX-Channel 3
For additional resources and information about the project, visit:
Thank You Summer 2012 Interns!
August 30, 2012
VPIRG summer interns worked hard on research, grassroots organizing and more. We extend a huge THANK YOU to these five dedicated, smart members of the team. Click the links below to learn their stories.
Clean Energy Intern – Brian Buckley
Brian Buckley is one of two clean energy interns working with VPIRG. A bona fide energy nerd, Brian has brought valuable research skills, thinking and resources to all things energy – from weatherization to subsidies to renewable energy and much more. Learn more about Brian.…
Vermont’s Proposed Essential Health Benefits
August 30, 2012
Timeline for Health Care Reform
When the Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act in June Vermonters had a much clearer idea of what health care reform will look like in our state over the next couple years. As required by federal law, Vermont has begun to set up our state “health benefit exchange” that will go online in January of 2014. As part of the Affordable Care Act these exchanges are being set up in every state in the country.…
Montpelier Residents Rally in Support of District Heat Project
August 29, 2012
Dozens turn out in lead up to special City Council session
For Immediate Release: August 29, 2012
MONTPELIER, VT—Less than a week after a majority of the Montpelier City Council rejected a long-planned upgrade to a wood fired boiler run by the state that would pump heat to municipal buildings and local businesses, dozens of Montpelier residents gathered in front of City Hall to urge their councilors to reconsider their votes.
“This project will significantly cut the money Montpelier taxpayers are currently paying to buy dirty oil,” said Ben Walsh, clean energy advocate for the Vermont Public Interest Research Group, which supports the project.…
Montpelier District Heat Project Resources
August 23, 2012
On Wednesday, August 22nd, Montpelier’s City Council voted 4-2 to halt a decade’s worth of progress on a district heating project. While the vote is disappointing, the mayor convened a special session a week later, where, following a updates to the plan and an outpouring of public support, the councilor reversed it’s earlier decision with a 5-1 vote in support of the project.
Here’s a list of resources for you to learn more about the project .…
