Given what’s happening in Washington DC and the real threats to what we would consider Vermonters’ well being–our health, our environment, many of our values–we expected more activity on the part of Vermont legislators to push back against these threats. Some people have suggested that the new leadership in the State House needed time to …
On Friday, March 17, the House Energy & Technology Committee voted to pass H.411, a bill that protects the Federal appliance efficiency standards from Federal rollbacks. The bill passed with tripartisan support, with only one representative (Representative Van Wyck, Addison-3) voting against it. It then passed the full House on a voice vote and has …
House Moves Toward Protecting Appliance Efficiency Standards Read More »
On Wednesday, February 8th, VPIRG and a host of other Vermont environmental organizations co-hosted a webinar featuring Senator Bernie Sanders. The webinar, titled “Moving Forward on Climate without DC,” attracted nearly 1,000 viewers across the state and around the country. Senator Sanders reiterated the importance of climate action, and emphasized the role that states like Vermont …
VPIRG Co-Hosts Climate Webinar with Bernie Sanders Read More »
The 2017-2018 legislative session began this week with the swearing in of recently elected candidates and the election of legislative leaders, including a new Governor, Lt. Governor, Speaker of the House, and many other key positions in the legislature. Late this morning, VPIRG delivered a petition to every legislator in the house and senate, as …
Groups and citizens deliver pro-clean energy petition to lawmakers to kick off session Read More »
As the 2016 energy siting and planning bill was going through the final steps at the legislature last spring, the issue of setting statewide limits for sound from wind projects became a hot topic. Historically these limits had been set for each project individually. The bill, in its final form, tasked the Public Service Board …
On November 19th, nearly 200 Vermonters from all across the state gathered at Main Street Landing in Burlington to push for action to address global warming in the upcoming legislative session. The “Climate Solutions Summit,” – which VPIRG co-hosted with our coalition partners at Energy Independent Vermont – included a variety of panels and workshops …
The discovery of a $50,000 allocation buried deep in the state capital bill that was passed by legislators several months ago is stirring up significant controversy today. As first reported by Vermont Public Radio, the nondescript allocation was earmarked for Lyndon State College to purchase sound monitoring equipment. The equipment is to be used by …
Golden Fleece: VPIRG Decries Waste of Taxpayer Money on Biased ‘Study’ Read More »
VPIRG delivered a petition signed by 1412 Vermonters to the Public Service Board on Monday in support of keeping Vermont’s net metering program strong. The petition asked the Board to address the concerns as raised by VPIRG, VNRC, Vermont Conservation Voters and Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility in their July 15th comments regarding the Board’s …
Over 1400 Vermonters Petition for Strong Net Metering Program Read More »
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 help Vermonter’s increase their self-reliance …
Net Metering Rule Would Stall Climate Action; Renewable Energy Progress Read More »
Late last night the legislature passed a fixed version of the energy siting bill (S.230) previously vetoed by Gov. Peter Shumlin. The new bill (S.260) made four simple clarifications necessary to address the governor’s concerns. VPIRG supports this bill. It will empower towns and regions to take a greater role, and get a greater say, …
