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 »
Vermont’s 2021 legislative session is well under way, and everyone’s top priority is tackling COVID-19, providing economic relief to Vermonters, and rebuilding Vermont’s economy and communities to be stronger and more resilient than they were before this crisis. We also know that the many other threats to the health and wellbeing of our people …
Transportation Modernization Act Introduced with 70 Cosponsors Read More »
This isn’t breaking news, but it can’t be repeated enough – the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic devastation it has wrought has caused many Vermonters to face incredible hardships. In Vermont, our elected leaders have enacted a number of policies to mitigate the financial impact of this crisis – and VPIRG members have supported several …
VPIRG Supports a Moratorium on Auto Repossessions During the Pandemic Read More »
At VPIRG, we’re not generally in the business of urging people not to demonstrate or protest peacefully. These are time-honored tactics by which we make our voices heard and show the breadth of support for our campaigns. In fact, the day after the election in November we co-sponsored a State House rally aimed at making …
VPIRG Statement on Expected Protests in Montpelier Read More »
We were horrified by the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6. The images were shocking. Members of Congress sheltering in place, doors barricaded, and guns drawn by security personnel to keep the angry mob out. One person was shot and killed inside the Capitol during the assault and several others were apparently injured. …
Join Us in Supporting Gov. Scott’s Call for Trump’s Resignation or Removal Read More »
As our State continues to grapple with the impacts of Covid-19, our elected leaders have been rightly focused on how to adequately respond to the crisis at hand. However, many do not recognize the urgent connection between toxic chemical exposure and the pandemic. For example, exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is known to …
New studies show concerning link between PFAS and COVID-19 Read More »
Vermont Attorney General T.J. Donovan announced a settlement agreement with Chittenden Solid Waste District (CSWD) today regarding the District’s improper dumping of approximately 18,000 tons of processed glass between 2013 and 2018. As part of the agreement, CSWD is required to make payments totaling $400,000, $178,000 of which will go to the State. The rest …
The Vermont Public Utilities Commission (PUC) on Tuesday issued an order halting all involuntary disconnections due to nonpayment of electricity, natural gas, and landline phone utilities until March 31st, 2021. We are overjoyed and thank the PUC for making the right decision to prevent Vermonters from going without heat or electricity because they can’t pay …
Good News: PUC Halts Involuntary Utility Disconnections! Read More »
The official rollout of the Transportation and Climate Initiative began last week, and already three states (Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island) have signed on. This cap and invest strategy would give participating states the ability to significantly lower carbon emissions from the transportation sector, and create a new revenue stream for Vermont and other states …
Climate Leaders Call for Equitable Transportation & Climate Initiative Read More »
Vermont’s Global Warming Solutions Act, passed in September, 2020, effectively requires that Vermont hit its climate pollution reduction targets. To do so, it established the Vermont Climate Council, which will work to create comprehensive and equitable solutions to both reduce our carbon footprint and ensure our communities are prepared for existing and potential consequences of …
