We’re excited to announce that Vermont just enacted the best single-use plastics law in the nation! VPIRG has been leading the charge for bold legislation to address plastic pollution, and now Governor Phil Scott has responded by signing S.113, which represents the toughest anti-plastics legislation yet on the statewide level.…
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Weatherizing Vermont’s old housing stock is an essential element of any plan to address our state’s rising greenhouse gas emissions. But the benefits of weatherization extend beyond curbing carbon emissions – other perks include the potential for decreased energy bills, improved health, and more investment in Vermont’s economy. Since heating…
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Today Governor Scott signed into law a landmark bill protecting against lead in school drinking water. The move is being celebrated by environmental advocates across the state. “There’s really only one kind of water we should be giving our kids in schools and child care centers, and that’s unleaded,” commented…
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Last month, Vermont legislators passed the most far-reaching statewide legislation in the nation to address the problem of single-use plastic pollution. Today, legislative champions of that bill joined with advocacy groups to urge Gov. Phil Scott to sign the legislation. The bill (S.113), had overwhelming support in both the Senate…
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Neonicotinoid insecticides threaten bees all over the Green Mountain State – which has serious implications for all of us. For instance, the UN just published a sobering report that highlights how crucial biodiversity is and how human activity, like the use of pesticides, is hurting biodiversity around the world. Just…
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Legislation to better protect kids from toxics is now on its way to Governor Scott’s desk for consideration following the Legislature’s final passage of S.55 on May 22. If signed into law, the legislation will grant the Commissioner of Health greater authority to protect kids from dangerous chemicals in children’s products…
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On Wednesday Vermont’s Legislature passed S. 40, a landmark bill regulating lead in school and childcare center drinking water. After some tense debate between legislators in the House and Senate, a conference committee reached a final decision to set the action level for remediation at 4 parts per billion. They…
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Governor Scott signed a landmark bill on Thursday establishing drinking water standards for five perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – toxic chemicals that have been widely used in industry and consumer products since the 1950s. Known as “forever chemicals” because of their long lifespan, PFAS have been shown to increase…
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The House gave final approval on Friday to legislation addressing the problem of single-use plastic pollution in Vermont, this came after an initial vote of 124-20 on S. 113. The bill would institute a statewide ban on single-use plastic bags and polystyrene cups, plates and other food service products, and…
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Hundreds of students from across Vermont gathered on the State House lawn on Wednesday for the fourth annual Rally For The Planet, organized by the Vermont Youth Lobby. This year’s event offered a rousing call to action, as Vermonters of all ages came together to demand meaningful action on climate…
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