Victories
S.81 – Banning Toxic Flame Retardants
May 20, 2013
Upon learning that a cancer-causing chemical banned from children’s pajamas in the 1970s (chlorinated Tris) had found its way into numerous other children’s products and home furniture, VPIRG and our fire fighter allies successfully pushed for a ban on Tris in these products.
The legislature unanimously supported this bill, which puts in place the nation’s strongest ban on these ineffective flame retardants, and is an important step on our path to broader chemical safety reforms.…
Legislative Accomplishments 2013
May 20, 2013
The legislative session is over, and the results are in. Here at VPIRG, we’re celebrating the victories that our members helped to bring about. Thank you!
Of course, we didn’t win every fight. The Legislature failed to commit the necessary resources to weatherize our homes and businesses, for example. But we’re taking the time to celebrate the wins, reflect on the losses, and get to work building the grassroots support to carry us forward again, next year!…
Vermont House Unanimously Passes Nation’s Strongest Ban on Cancer-Causing Flame Retardants
May 8, 2013
In the jam-packed final days of the legislative session, the House of Representatives carved out time to pass the nation’s strongest bill to protect children and fire fighters from unnecessary and harmful flame retardant chemicals (S.81, vote:141-0) by banning their use in childrens products and home furniture.
Nation’s strongest bill to on toxic flame retardants passes Senate…unanimously!
April 1, 2013
NEWS RELEASE: Vermont Senate votes unanimously to ban toxic flame retardant chemicals
March 29, 2013
Montpelier, VT – The Vermont Senate voted unanimously in support of legislation to ban toxic and ineffective flame retardant chemicals (S.81, vote 28-0-2). Chlorinated Tris, a chemical targeted in the bill, was banned from children’s pajamas in the 1970s because it causes cancer, but in the meantime has become commonly used in furniture and other children’s products.
“VPIRG commends the Senate for their decisive vote to protect our children and fire fighters from unnecessary toxic chemicals,” said Lauren Hierl, environmental health advocate at VPIRG.…
Committee approves measure to protect children and firefighters from toxic chemicals
March 15, 2013
For Immediate Release: March 15, 2013
Montpelier, VT – The Senate Health & Welfare Committee voted (4-0) on Friday morning to pass S.81, a bill that protects families and firefighters from toxic and unnecessary flame retardant chemicals.
“VPIRG applauds the Health & Welfare Committee for this decisive vote in favor of public health,” said Lauren Hierl, environmental health advocate at VPIRG. “Chlorinated Tris, one of the target chemicals in the bill, was actually banned from children’s pajamas in the 1970s because it’s such a potent cancer-causer. It’s hard to believe that we’re still having to fight – 35 years later – to remove this toxic chemical from nursing pillows, home furniture and other commonly used consumer products.”
Furniture and numerous baby products have high quantities of flame retardant chemicals like chlorinated Tris, which leach into the air and dust in our homes and into our bodies.…
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.
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.”
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.
2011 Legislative Accomplishments
June 7, 2011
The 2011 legislative session was filled with victories on VPIRG-backed legislation across each of our program areas. With a new governor in office for the first time in eight years, our small state suddenly had opportunities to pass the kind of major policy initiatives that our friends in other parts of the country could only fantasize about. Our ambitious agenda heading into the session prioritized major campaigns promoting clean, local energy supplies, advancing affordable health care for all, defending recycling programs and demanding safe products and fair elections.…
Governor Shumlin Signs Mercury Lamps Bill
May 20, 2011
On May 19th, Gov. Shumlin signed the Mercury Lamps Bill, which will establish a recycling program for light bulbs that contain small amounts of mercury. We all know the benefits of fluorescent bulbs. They save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, they also contain mercury which makes the need for effective light bulb recycling programs crucial.
