Late yesterday, Governor Scott signed into law a bill (S.55) that he had previously blocked as both governor and lieutenant governor in its earlier iterations. The law is designed to better protect children from toxic chemicals in products that are made specifically for kids. The new law makes important changes to the Chemicals of High …
Governor reverses course; signs bill to protect kids from toxic threats Read More »
This week Governor Scott signed into law a bill (S. 30) which sets a schedule for phasing out the use of Hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs, statewide. HFCs are an entirely man-made class of chemicals used primarily for cooling and refrigeration. Though originally introduced as an alternative to ozone-depleting substances, HFCs are powerful greenhouse gases that contribute …
Governor Scott Signs Hydrofluorocarbons Bill Into Law Read More »
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. S.113 bans troublesome plastic carryout …
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 accounts for a sizable portion …
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 Paul Burns, Executive Director of …
Governor Signs Bill Protecting Against Lead In School Drinking Water Read More »
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 (30-0) and the House (120-24). …
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 and collect better information on …
Bill to Get Toxics Out of Children’s Products Sent to Governor Read More »
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 also pledged to set aside …
Legislators Pass Nation’s Strongest Lead Testing Bill Read More »
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 cancer risk, impair immune system …
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 would require restaurants to adopt …
