Victories
2012 Legislative Accomplishments
May 8, 2012
The 2012 legislative session marked another busy and successful year in advocacy for the public interest. We came into the session with ambitious plans – from taking on the Oil and Gas Industry to ban fracking to initiating a campaign to require GMO labeling to standing up to health insurers and making sure they cover the medical care they should. We take our role as “Vermont’s Voice” in the State House seriously – bringing research and policy analysis, strong partnerships and principled organizing and advocacy to the fore.
Vermont Bans Fracking
May 4, 2012
The Vermont House of Representatives voted 103-36 today to give final passage to legislation that will make Vermont the first state in the nation to ban the practice of hydraulic fracturing for natural gas.
Bill Passed! Now Easier to Power with Renewables
May 1, 2012
Vermont leaders took another step in the right direction toward our clean energy future. The Vermont House unanimously passed a bill (H.475) that improves the State’s net metering program and makes it even easier for Vermonters to power their homes and businesses with renewable energy.
Vermont Says Corps Are Not People!
April 19, 2012
The Vermont House of Representatives voted 92-40 in favor of a joint resolution (JRS 11) urging the US Congress to begin the process of amending the Constitution to make clear that corporations are not people and money is not speech. VPIRG applauds the grassroots activists who laid the foundation for this movement by getting over 60 Vermont towns to pass Town Meeting Day resolutions. And, we thank our state leaders for continuing the momentum.
Vermont now sends a clear message to Congress and the rest of the country: corporations are not people and money isn’t speech.…
Vermont House Passes Clean Energy Bill (H.475)
January 24, 2012
On Tuesday, the Vermont House of Representatives passed H.475, a VPIRG-backed bill that will streamline the process for Vermonters choosing to power their homes and businesses with solar and other renewable energy sources. This bill strengthens Vermont’s already nation leading renewables legislation, and builds on work VPIRG and our partners did in 2011.
News Release: Vermont Legislature Passes School “Green” Cleaning Bill
January 13, 2012
On Thursday, the Senate gave final approval to S.92, a bill that requires manufacturers and distributors of cleaning products to only sell environmentally preferable cleaning products to schools. The bill will now make its way to the Governor’s desk for his signature.
“This legislation will create safer and healthier learning environments in our schools,” said Charity Carbine-March, environmental health advocate for Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG). “Children in classrooms across Vermont will soon be breathing easier.”
Sheffield Wind Project opens a new clean energy chapter in Vermont
October 26, 2011
The completion of the Sheffield Wind Project, which will provide enough electricity to power 15,000 homes, marks a major step toward the kind of clean energy future that most Vermonters support, according to the state’s largest environmental and consumer advocacy group.
Victory in Barre-common sense wins.
August 16, 2011
Last month the Barre Development Review Board voted 6-0 to deny a local midwife’s request to operate a small office out of her home after hearing from neighbors who argued that “women — particularly pregnant women — would have difficulty safely backing out of (the midwife’s) driveway.” After hearing this, VPIRG invited our members to take action, and the response was overwhelming!
VY Preliminary Injunction denied!
July 18, 2011
Minutes ago Judge J. Garvan Murtha sided with the state of Vermont, denying Entergy Lousiana its request for a Preliminary Injunction (PI) to keep Vermont Yankee open past its expiration date while the court case proceeds.
Vermont’s e-waste recycling program begins
July 1, 2011
On Friday, July 1st, Vermont’s new electronic waste (e-waste) recycling program will begin, providing free and convenient recycling of e-waste to Vermont residents, charities, schools, and small businesses. The recycling program, known as “Vermont E-Cycles”, was created by a VPIRG-backed law passed by legislators last year requiring manufacturers of electronics to finance the cost of collecting and recycling their discarded products.
