Climate & Energy

Vermont Senate Judiciary Committee Advances S.259, the Climate Superfund Act:

Effort to Hold Big Oil Accountable Clears Key Hurdle A key legislative committee approved the Climate Superfund Act, S.259, today. With a unanimous, tripartisan vote, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced this landmark legislation. Sen. Dick Sears (Bennington), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee stated, “The Climate Superfund Act builds on Vermont’s long tradition of holding …

Vermont Senate Judiciary Committee Advances S.259, the Climate Superfund Act: Read More »

The legislature is updating the Renewable Energy Standard. What does that mean?

In 2015, Vermont passed its Renewable Energy Standard, requiring Vermont electric utilities to provide 75% renewable electricity to their customers by 2032, of which 10% needed to be from smaller, newly-built renewables from here in Vermont.  Last week on a vote of 9-1 the House Environment and Energy Committee voted to pass H.289, the first …

The legislature is updating the Renewable Energy Standard. What does that mean? Read More »

Summer Jobs for Change: VPIRG is Hiring for the 2024 Canvass

Apply below, or online today at www.vpirg.org/2024CanvassApp Do you care about the environment, climate justice and democracy? Do you want to make a difference in how Vermont responds to these issues, all while getting paid to travel VT, biking around the most scenic parts of the state, and camping with friends? If you answered yes, …

Summer Jobs for Change: VPIRG is Hiring for the 2024 Canvass Read More »

2024 Legislative Priorities

VPIRG is pursuing action on multiple fronts in the 2024 legislative session. From climate to consumer protection and toxics to democracy, we’re seeking progress that will improve the lives of Vermonters and demonstrate leadership at a time when that is sorely needed.    CLIMATE & CLEAN ENERGY  Make Big Oil Pay – Climate Change Superfund  Climate …

2024 Legislative Priorities Read More »

The Climate Crisis is Here – And Big Oil Must Pay for it.

As flood waters recede and Vermonters begin to rebuild, two things are becoming clear.   Disasters like these are extraordinarily expensive. The costs to repair damage to homes and infrastructure will be astronomical, not to mention the destruction of priceless memories, heirlooms, and lives.  And second, this was not a fluke. Not too long ago, storms …

The Climate Crisis is Here – And Big Oil Must Pay for it. Read More »

Polling Shows Vermonters Overwhelmingly Support Affordable Heat

At the close of the 2023 legislative session, the Vermont Legislature overrode Governor Scott’s veto of the Affordable Heat Act (S.5), capping a 2 year effort with a victory for Vermonters and the climate. S.5 requires the Public Utility Commission to design a program to require fossil fuel importers to offer Vermonters incentives and up-front …

Polling Shows Vermonters Overwhelmingly Support Affordable Heat Read More »

New Campaign Aims To “Make Big Oil Pay” For Climate Damage in Vermont

Environmental leaders launched a new campaign today to hold the largest corporate climate polluters accountable for the tremendous damage their product has caused in Vermont. The Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG) led the effort – called “Make Big Oil Pay” – in a campaign kick-off event just outside City Hall in Burlington. The event …

New Campaign Aims To “Make Big Oil Pay” For Climate Damage in Vermont Read More »

Vermont Enacts Groundbreaking Law to Help Highest-Need Drivers Switch to EVs, Save on Fuel Costs

Today, Vermont’s Governor signed into law S.137, a bill that gives municipal utility Burlington Electric Department the power to create new incentives to help high-volume gasoline users switch to electric vehicles. This is the first law in the country designed specifically to help low- and moderate-income drivers using extreme amounts of gasoline – more than …

Vermont Enacts Groundbreaking Law to Help Highest-Need Drivers Switch to EVs, Save on Fuel Costs Read More »

2023 Legislative Recap

The 2023 Vermont legislative session has come to a close, marking the halfway point of the 2023-2024 biennium. The VPIRG team secured a number of significant legislative victories – shepherding some landmark public interest policies into law, while making important progress on other bills that will need to brought across the finish line in 2024. …

2023 Legislative Recap Read More »

Business, Environmental, and Social Equity Organizations Call on Legislature to Override Gubernatorial Veto of Affordable Heat Act 

A coalition of business, environmental, and equity-focused organizations called on the Vermont Legislature to override Governor Phil Scott’s veto of S.5, the Affordable Heat Act.  This veto comes right on the heels of the Scott Administration’s release of the latest Vermont Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Forecast. This report projects Vermont will miss its legally …

Business, Environmental, and Social Equity Organizations Call on Legislature to Override Gubernatorial Veto of Affordable Heat Act  Read More »

Scroll to Top