Important Information About Wind and Vermont's Energy Future
February 7, 2012
CleanEnergy, Fact Sheet
Increasing the use of clean, renewable energy like wind and solar and encouraging conservation and efficiency is the responsible thing to do. Vermont is on the right path now. By the end of 2012 Vermont will get 10% of our electricity from clean, local wind power, helping Vermonters take control of our energy future, keeping our money working in our state and ensuring a positive legacy for future generations. We need to continue building clean energy, like wind, in Vermont today.
Report: Representation Without Taxation
January 18, 2012
Report, Democracy
Fortune 500 Companies that Spend Big on Lobbying and Avoid Taxes
Released on the second anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision in the Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission case—which opened the floodgates to corporate spending on elections—this report takes a hard look at the lobbying activities of profitable Fortune 500 companies that exploit loopholes and distort the tax code to avoid billions of dollars in taxes.
Don't Frack Vermont Fact Sheet
January 13, 2012
CleanEnergy, Fact Sheet
VPIRG is working to make Vermont the first state in the nation to ban the drilling process known as hydraulic fracturing. Hydrofracking, or fracking as the practice is also known, can be extremely hazardous to the environment and a danger to public health for a number of reasons. This issue has recieved extensive media attention recently due to these serious concerns.
Photo of natural gas flare courtesy of Mark Schmerling
Citizens United Fact Sheet
January 10, 2012
Fact Sheet, Democracy
On January 21, 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court unleashed a flood of corporate money into our political system by ruling that, contrary to longstanding precedent, corporations have a first amendment right to spend unlimited amounts of money to promote or defeat candidates. The decision in this historic case – Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission – overturned a century of campaign finance law and stands to deal a devastating blow to our democracy unless we act.
Bigger Better Bottle Bill Brochure
January 6, 2012
Bottle Bill, Fact Sheet, HealthyEnvironment
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%.
Read how expanding the Bottle Bill can keep millions more containers out of landfills and off of roadsides.
Zero Waste Brochure
December 22, 2011
Fact Sheet, HealthyEnvironment
By embracing an ambitious "zero waste" program, Vermont can, and should, break from current linear use of our resources, wherein which raw materials are extracted, processed into consumer goods, consumed, and then disposed primarily by being landfilled or incinerated.
Vermont's Health Care Road Map
December 22, 2011
Fact Sheet, HealthCare
The passage of Act 48 in 2011 puts Vermont on the path to a new universal and publicly financed health care system called Green Mountain Care (GMC). The Vermont's Health Care Road Map brochure provides an introduction to the law and the time line for decision-making.
Download the brochure to learn how Vermont's patient-centered health care overhaul will boost quality and make coverage affordable for you and your family.
VPIRG's 2011 Trouble in Toyland Report
November 22, 2011
Report, HealthyEnvironment
In addition to our work to make all products safer, every year VPIRG releases our annual Trouble in Toyland report highlighting potential hazards in children's toys. This year Trouble in Toyland, along with an interactive tool accessible via smart phone or computer at http://toysafety.mobi, will help parents and other toy-buyers avoid some common hazards this holiday-shopping season.
To download click "View full report [pdf]" in the top left.
Toy Safety Shopping Tips
November 22, 2011
Fact Sheet, HealthyEnvironment
Take this Toy Safety Shopping Guide along with you when heading out on your holiday shopping trip. This brochure summarizes what to look out for including toxics, choking and noise hazards, and more.
For more information on toy safety, review the full Trouble in Toyland report.
Understanding the Environmental Health Implications of Tropical Storm Irene
October 14, 2011
Fact Sheet, HealthyEnvironment
Many challenging public and environmental health questions arose following Tropical Storm Irene. This fact sheet (use link above to download pdf) includes resources and information about mold, soil, water and air quality implications following the flood.
If you have any further questions, resources, or information to share, please contact our Environmental Health Advocate, Charity Carbine-March, at charity@vpirg.org.
