On Town Meeting Day, March 7, 2023, Burlington voters will decide whether to implement a measure encouraging the usage of renewable energy heating systems in newly constructed buildings. The passage of this measure – question 2 – would have Burlington join cities across the Northeast that have utilized similar measures cut carbon pollution and provide …
New commitment follows nationwide campaign and state regulatory actions On February 21st, leading outdoor retailer REI announced it will ban PFAS “forever chemicals” (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) in all textile products and cookware from its suppliers, in a major update to its “Product Impact Standards” for its 1,000+ brand partners. REI’s restrictions take effect in the fall of 2024 for cookware …
Today, in a huge victory for climate action and addressing Vermont’s second largest source of climate pollution – the thermal heating sector – the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee voted 5-0 to advance the Affordable Heat Act (S.5). This legislation is the culmination of years of work and analysis, represents a key pillar of …
Burlington Town Meeting Day ballots are scheduled to be mailed to all active registered voters starting this week. Here’s what VPIRG would like you to know… Whatever your positions on the issues are, we encourage you to exercise your right to vote. Our democracy depends on it! We believe voting is always important, but this year’s …
Burlington Town Meeting Day 2023: What YOU need to Know Read More »
The 2023 legislative session is well underway with an unprecedented slate of new legislators in the State House, and a clear commitment from legislators and legislative leadership in both the House and Senate that climate action is a top priority. After a frustrating failure to override a veto by a single vote in the House …
The Vermont Public Interest Research Group hailed the introduction of two bills (H.79 and H.81) last week that, if enacted, would establish a right-to-repair in Vermont. Both bills were introduced with a long, trans-partisan list of co-sponsors, demonstrating the broad support for this commonsense reform. Right-to-repair, sometimes called fair repair, seeks to address the growing …
VPIRG Hails Introduction of Right to Repair Legislation Read More »
State Joins Coast-to-Coast Movement to Adopt Zero-Emission Vehicle Regulations Vermont moved forward with two key regulations to address pollution from transportation in the state: the Advanced Clean Cars (ACC) II program and the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulation. The Agency of Natural Resouces rule filing today to the Secretary of States office makes the rules …
Vermont Adopts Rules for Cleaner Cars and Trucks Read More »
Sinead here – VPIRG’s new Democracy Associate. In case you hadn’t heard, this Tuesday was National Voter Registration Day! This holiday was first observed in 2012, exactly a decade ago. A lot of things have changed in that time: attacks on voter accessibility, claims that elections have been ‘rigged’ or ‘stolen,’ and countless communities disproportionately …
Transportation is the single largest contributor to climate pollution in Vermont, but it has been difficult for Vermonters to find the zero-emission vehicles that are necessary to meet our state’s climate goals. Fortunately, it is about to become a lot easier thanks to new rules that Vermont is poised to adopt this December. The Advanced …
Advanced Clean Cars II & Advanced Clean Trucks Rules Would Expand EV Access Read More »
As we move towards an electrified transportation future, it’s important to remember that not everybody wants, needs, or can afford a personal electric vehicle – and we can and must do far more to give Vermonters viable alternatives to driving cars and trucks everywhere they need to go. One of the best ways to tackle …
Transportation Infrastructure, Alternatives, & What’s Next Read More »
