We recently heard that Governor Phil Scott is considering vetoing the environmental justice bill, S.148, which passed with overwhelming tri-partisan support in both the Senate (28-1) and House (109-31). In this last week of the legislative session, and with reports that they will not hold a session where they could override his veto, he can enact …
Don’t Let Gov. Scott Sink the Environmental Justice Bill Read More »
The Vermont Climate Council is hard at work drafting their initial Climate Action Plan to get us on track to meet our climate pollution reduction goals – the plan is due December 1st. Their public engagement team is currently seeking public input from Vermonters, and you can get involved by clicking this link. The Climate …
Camping at Fort Dummer in Brattleboro to canvass in Windham County is an age-old tradition for the VPIRG summer canvass (see the full office sending off our canvass day in 2019 in the featured photo on the left). This week, although we won’t be able to pull off our office-wide trip down south, a group …
On Monday, the Vermont Public Utilities Commission (PUC) issued an order that would extend the moratorium on involuntary utility disconnections due to nonpayment of electricity, natural gas, and landline phone through May 31st, 2021. Under the previous order, it would have expired this Wednesday. This is good news. We are grateful that the PUC has decided …
No Vermonter should have to worry that their utilities could be disconnected during this pandemic because they are unable to make bill payments. Last March, the Vermont Public Utilities Commission (PUC) issued an order halting all involuntary utility disconnections in the wake of the emerging COVID crisis. That order is set to expire in just over a week, but …
Legal Aid and VPIRG lead push to prevent utility shut offs Read More »
This morning, the House Committee on Government Operations took testimony on H. 196. This legislation, proposed by Representative Kevin “Coach” Christie of Hartford (and co-sponsored by 36 other House Reps), would create two additional full-time equivalent (FTE) positions to support the work of the Executive Director of Racial Equity in the Administration. The positions as outlined in the bill are a policy & research …
This Town Meeting Day, Burlington voters have the opportunity to make a major impact on our city’s climate action future by voting YES on questions 3 and 7. Check out the campaign website here. These two crucial measures will empower the city to do more to transform how buildings in Burlington are heated while centering equity …
Burlington: Climate is on the Ballot this Town Meeting Day Read More »
Se puede leer este artículo en español al final de esta página. In his recent budget proposal, Governor Scott included $2 million for the Immigrant Families Coronavirus Relief Fund which would provide relief to Vermonters who were left out of the federal CARES Act payments this spring. That the White House and Congress chose to …
VT Must Include $5M for Essential Workers Excluded from CARES Act Read More »
According to the EPA, environmental justice is “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.” A goal which will be achieved “when everyone enjoys (1) the same degree of protection from environmental …
From left to right: Kora Freeman-Gerlach, Tali Crowley, and Lily Seward — officers of the VPIRG at UVM Student Club. Guest Post from Tali Crowley, UVM Sophomore, VPIRG at UVM Club Co-President, and VPIRG Trustee VPIRG was founded at the University of Vermont in 1972 by a group of student activists, but hasn’t been affiliated …
