The “Vermont Legislator Roll Call Profiles” published by the Ethan Allen Institute on Tuesday had at least one notable omission: the 25-5 roll call vote on Senate Resolution 7 recognizing climate change science. This omission leads us to ask, “What’s EAI afraid of?” The Ethan Allen Institute has a documented history of denying climate change …
Is Ethan Allen Institute Trying To Hide Its Climate Denying History? Read More »
Vermont’s Universal Recycling Law (Act 148) goes into effect today. The law was passed unanimously by the Vermont legislature in 2012. VPIRG believes that Act 148 will be a great complement to our state’s most successful recycling law – the Bottle Bill. Act 148 will provide an excellent opportunity to expand recycling rates for items …
After a slew of cost increases, Vermont regulators are weighing whether to “re-open” the permit process for the fracked gas pipeline Vermont Gas wants to build. After 15 hours of testimony, 12 witnesses and 10 pages of notes, VPIRG’s Energy and Democracy advocate, Julia Michel, offers her impression of the key takeaways. The total cost …
The 5 Things You Need to Know about the Vermont Gas Technical Hearings Read More »
VPIRG was able to pass substantial legislation in the first half of the 2015-2016 legislative biennium and lay the groundwork for even more gains next year. We cracked through on long overdue reforms to our electoral system – including a vigorous new lobbyist disclosure law and the institution of Election Day voter registration. We ushered …
Gov. Peter Shumlin signed H.40 – the Renewable Energy Standard (RES) bill – into law today at signing ceremony in Montpelier. This law brings Vermont in line with 29 other states by requiring that electric utilities get a certain percentage of their energy from clean, renewable sources. The Renewable Energy Standard is projected to save …
Governor Signs Renewable Energy Standard Into Law Read More »
The United Nations Environment Programme has released a new report in which it recommends a ban on microplastics, including microbeads, found in personal care products. The report states, “for the last 50 years, microparticles of plastic, or microplastics, have been used in personal care products and cosmetics, replacing natural options in a large number of …
Governor Peter Shumlin signed S.29 – the Election Day registration bill – into law today, at a ceremony at the Montpelier City Hall. This law makes Vermont the 14th state to enact Election Day registration – joining a group that includes Vermont neighbors Maine and New Hampshire. Beginning in 2017, all eligible Vermonters will be …
Governor Signs Election Day Registration into Law Read More »
Despite numerous attempts to weaken the bill and create roadblocks to renewable energy – H.40 (the Renewable Energy Standard or “RES” bill) passed the Vermont Senate late Friday, won approval by the House, and is now on its way to the governor’s desk. H.40 will get renewables built, help Vermonters cut their fossil fuel use, …
Renewable Energy Standard Heading to Governor’s Desk Read More »
The Vermont House of Representatives voted 87-54 to pass S.29, a bill allowing Election Day registration in the state. Beginning in 2017, all eligible Vermonters will have the opportunity to register to vote on Election Day. Under current law, any Vermonter who wants to vote on Election Day must be registered by the previous Wednesday. …
