Last week the Supreme Court issued a landmark decision in King v. Burwell that further codified the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as the law of the land. At stake in this case was if states that chose not to operate their own insurance marketplaces would be able to provide insurance subsidies to low and middle …
Court Reaffirms Affordable Care Act as the Law of the Land Read More »
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 »
Earlier this week the Green Mountain Care Board announced that Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBSVT) and MVP Health Care (MVP) filed proposed premium hikes of 8.4% and 3% respectively for 2016 Vermont Health Connect Plans. The proposed rate increases will now be reviewed by the Green Mountain Care Board in a process known as “rate …
Green Mountain Care Board Accepting Comments on Proposed Premium Hikes 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 »
On Friday May 15th, the Vermont Senate passed H.40, the “Renewable Energy Standard” bill. Shortly thereafter the House (which had passed the bill back in March) approved the Senate’s changes, sending it to the Governor’s desk. He was been a supporter of the bill from day one, and is expected to sign it in the …
Vermont just passed a Renewable Energy Standard. Here’s what it does. Read More »
