In July 2017, Governor Phil Scott established the Vermont Climate Action Commission, tasked with creating an actionable plan for helping Vermont meet our climate and energy commitments. The commission recently released its final report, and unsurprisingly — it’s a 119 page disappointment. The report fails for three reasons: First, Governor…
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Now more than ever, Vermonters need elected officials who are willing to take bold action towards reducing our dependence on dirty energy and fossil fuels. Despite broad consensus that we must transition away from dirty fossil fuels, Vermont’s greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise. From reduced snowfall, to extreme weather…
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When it comes to serious legislative action to protect our people and environment and move our state forward in a positive fashion, we cannot afford to “wait and see” any longer. We need bold action now. The attacks from D.C. on everything from climate to toxic chemical protections to digital…
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The Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG), along with over 100 other groups including the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) and the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families coalition, strongly opposes the nomination of Michael Dourson to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Dourson has a history of serving the interests of big…
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The Vermont Public Interest Research Group’s Executive Director Paul Burns released the following statement concerning the violent white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia that left at least three people dead and 19 injured: VPIRG denounces the acts of violent terrorism perpetrated by white supremacist groups in Charlottesville over the weekend.…
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Environmental, climate, and sustainable business groups joined together this week to express grave concern over proposed changes to net metering, the program that allows Vermonters to choose renewable energy. The diverse organizations are urging the Public Service Board to reconsider its proposed rule as it undermines the State’s commitment to…
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You may have heard that the just-completed 2016 legislative session was lacking in big ideas or major accomplishments. While it’s true that the looming election and pending retirement of many prominent legislators was a distraction this year, it did not prevent real progress on a number of important fronts. That’s…
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On Friday, the Vermont Public Service Board decided not to reopen the December 23, 2013, final Order in which it granted a Certificate of Public Good to Vermont Gas Systems, Inc. to construct a fracked gas transmission line into Addison County, Vermont. While the world is turning away from fossil…
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The 2016 Vermont legislative session is here! VPIRG is excited to build on the nearly 45 years of success that we have achieved together and continue working in the State House to protect our environment, watch out for consumers and put Vermont on a path to a sustainable future. Click on…
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