Lighting the Way: What We Can Learn from America’s Top 12 Solar States, is a new report highlighting a solar energy boom across the country. The report ranks Vermont 9th in the nation for per capita solar installations. This makes Vermont one of a dozen states that have led the nation in solar energy with supportive policies and a commitment to continued expansion.
Yesterday the Green Mountain Care Board announced that they will require MVP and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont to lower their rates for health insurance to be offered through Vermont Health Connect. Blue Cross will lower their average premium rates by 4.3% and while MVP will be reduced by 5.3%. This decision means that Vermonters buying mid level coverage on the exchange could be seeing their monthly premiums go down by approximately $20.
Representative Toleno and the Brattleboro Co-op welcomed the 60 grassroots canvassers who traveled to southern Vermont to camp out of Fort Dummer State Park for the week while reaching out to residents in towns across Windham County. The VPIRG citizen outreach team will knock on doors in every town in Vermont this summer to build support for labeling GMOs.
Canvassers camped in state parks in Orleans County recently talk with residents in Barton, Glover, Newport, Newport Center, Derby, Holland, and Morgan about efforts underway to label genetically-modified foods (often called GMOs) in Vermont. The campaign caught the attention of the Barton Chronicle recently featured a story of progress on the campaign so far. Read the article here on page 13.
The grand opening of Vermont’s newest wind farm, Georgia Mountain Community Wind, was celebrated by VPIRG director, Paul Burns, and a number of volunteer, interns, and staff. The project consists of four 2.5 MW turbines in Milton and Georgia and all power has been purchased by Burlington Electric Department. When operating at peak capacity, the …
VPIRG Environmental Health Advocate, Lauren Hierl, joined Governor Shumlin, legislators, and fire fighters to celebrate toxic flame retardant ban at the fire station in Burlington. Read Lauren’s address made at the bill signing: “I’m thrilled to join today’s celebration as Governor Shumlin signs into law the nation’s strongest bill to protect kids and fire fighters …
Legislation to Protect Vermonters from Toxic Flame Retardant Chemicals Becomes Law Read More »
Despite the near-unanimous agreement at the beginning of the legislative session that this would be the year to pass meaningful reforms to Vermont’s campaign finance law, legislators declared the issue dead for the year.
Today the House of Representatives passed H.112 , this year’s GMO labeling law, by a vote of 99-42! This is the furthest any such legislation has made it through the legislative process in the US. It was clear that hearing from Vermonters like you that gave them the courage to lead the nation on this important issue.
Today the House of Representatives passed H.112 , this year’s GMO labeling law, by a vote of 99-42! This is the furthest any such legislation has made it through the legislative process in the US. It was clear that hearing from Vermonters like you that gave them the courage to lead the nation on this important issue.
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.
