News & Updates
Help climate with your call!
March 11, 2013
You might have heard about VPIRG’s effort to weatherize one in four Vermont homes, save Vermonters hundreds of millions of dollars and prevent millions of tons of global warming pollution from being pumped into our atmosphere, all the while creating jobs and growing Vermont’s economy.
That plan is on the ropes, but your help could revive it.
The House of Representatives passed legislation (H.520) that doesn’t nearly get the job done. While the bill takes a number of small steps to help Vermonters use less energy to heat their homes and businesses, this bill doesn’t provide an additional dime in funding for heating efficiency programs.
But while the House may have ducked its responsibility, the State Senate can still choose to do what needs to be done.…
Join us at the Bottle Bill Public Hearing
March 11, 2013
With release of a draft Bottle Bill report from the Agency of Natural Resources, now is the time for Vermonters to voice support for an expanded The public hearing is tomorrow, Tuesday, March 12th, and they need to hear from you as they decide whether to recommend repealing, maintaining, or expanding the Bottle Bill.
Click here to join us at the public hearing tomorrow night, Tues (3/12), 5:30-7pm, Pavilion Auditorium, Montpelier. We need to pack the room to show that Vermonters want an expanded Bottle Bill!…
Support for Vermonters who want to go solar included in H.216
March 8, 2013
The Big Clean Energy Bill–as we’re now affectionately calling H.216–contains some funding for reaching our weatherization goals and helping Vermont families and businesses switch to clean, local sources of heat like solar hot water, geothermal and wood pellets.
So we’re happy to report H.216 also contains critical support for the CEDF!
But we need your help to make sure funding for the critical programs in H.216 gets the support it deserves in the State House. Click here to get your Representative’s number, and then give them a quick call and let them know you hope they’ll support fully funding both programs: heating efficiency and the Clean Energy Development Fund (CEDF)!…
GMOs are in your news!
March 6, 2013
Since last week, when the House Agriculture Committee passed H.112 for GMO-labeling with an 8-3 vote, GMOs have been a hot topic in Vermont news. As the movement continues to get more and more press, it’s important to make sure we hear from the people this bill affects …you! Read what they’re saying, then write a letter to the editor in response to make sure your voice is being heard, too.
- WPTZ – “Committee to vote on GMO Labeling”
- Addison Independent - “VT House committee approves GMO labeling bill”
- VT Digger – “House committee backs labeling law for genetically modified foods“
- Times Argus – “GMO labeling bill advances”
- Boston.com – “GMO labeling advocates see improved chances in Vt.”
- VT Digger – “Feiner: Vermont Right to Know GMOs Coalition taking action”
- Seven Days- “Who’s Trying to Kill the GMO Bill?”
This week we also heard some very exciting news on the national front.…
VPIRG’s lawyer on the VY case and how you can help him
March 4, 2013
We’ve had enough of Entergy’s lies and leaks, and that’s why VPIRG is continuing to fight to make sure the plant is shuttered for good. Right now, we feel our best chance rests with the case currently pending before the PSB. As this phase of Public Service Board (PSB) hearings on Vermont Yankee wrapped up last week, 7 Days ran a great article on Jim Dumont, VPIRG’s lawyer on the case.
Your Health Care Questions- Answered
March 4, 2013
Health care reform can be confusing.
That’s why as promised, our experts got to work answering your questions immediately following our webinar on February 12th.
The result? A comprehensive list of frequently asked questions and corresponding answers compiled by the VPIRG health care team, and our friends at the Department of Vermont Health Access.
To view the FAQ click here, and if your questions regarding health care reform in Vermont remain unanswered, feel free to email taylor@vpirg.org and we’ll do our best to respond in a timely manner.…
2013 Town Meeting Day Resources
March 3, 2013
In communities across Vermont, citizens are bringing solutions to town. Whether its town meeting resolutions to keep Vermont free of tar sands oil or spreading critical information about upcoming changes to health care, check to see what’s on the docket in your community.
Big News! GMO Labeling Bill Passes House Ag Committee
March 1, 2013
On March 1st, after weeks of testimony, the House Agriculture Committee passed H.112 (this year’s GMO labeling bill) with a vote of 8-3. While this is the first of many hurdles the bill has to clear in the legislative process, it is a very positive sign for all of us who support labeling genetically engineered foods.
This is another great success in a week where we held five grassroots forums around the state, and talked to hundreds of Vermonters.…
VT H.112 gets ready for a vote in the House Agriculture Committee.
February 28, 2013
Today, the House Agriculture Committee spent the morning reviewing and modifying the language of H.112 which would require labels on genetically engineered foods sold in Vermont. After weeks of testimony the committee has begun the process of incorporating all the information they have gathered into this year’s bill.
The major issue still up for debate this afternoon is when the bill would go into effect. Last year, similar legislation passed out of the committee with the requirement that it would not go in to effect until labeling legislation was passed in California and two northeastern states.…
With release of ANR Bottle Bill study imminent, groups call on legislature to expand the popular program
February 28, 2013
An Agency of Natural Resources-commissioned Bottle Bill study is expected out this Friday which, despite the program’s overwhelming popularity and undisputed success, is likely to prompt a renewed debate over the future of the program. Bottle Bill supporters directly impacted by the legislature’s actions – including small businesses and community groups – gathered at the State House on Thursday to make sure their voices are heard.
