Last week the Vermont Senate voted 21-8 against a bill that would have made it more difficult to build solar in the state. S.191 would have restricted the ability of homeowners, businesses, farmers, municipalities, and schools to go solar. This vote came just days after the Senate voted 28-0 to expand net metering – the …
Victory for Solar– S.191 voted down on Senate floor Read More »
Excitement around H.112 has been building again this week! Not only are we in the middle of a series of fantastic events, but the GMO Labeling bill will again be the topic of discussion in the state house! The Senate Judiciary committee will be hearing testimony from expert witnesses this Wednesday and Friday. Testimony is scheduled to …
Despite overwhelming public support for renewable energy like wind and solar, opponents are now attempting to put up barriers to clean energy development in the state. VPIRG opposes a bill (S.201) that would make it significantly harder for Vermont to transition to a clean energy future and meet the goals laid out in our state’s Comprehensive Energy Plan (CEP).
Add your name to the petition urging VT Senators to support clean energy and oppose S.201!
Its official- this Tuesday Bennington Senator Bob Hartwell asked legislative council to remove provisions from Senate Bill S. 208 that otherwise would have weakened Vermont’s Bottle Bill. The proposed language would have eliminated the 15 cent deposit on liquor bottles, as well as the deposit on any container greater than 1 liter in volume. The …
VPIRG filed a motion to intervene in the case before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regarding the proposed fracked gas pipeline Vermont Gas wants to build underneath Lake Champlain all the way to New York. This is the latest step in the VPIRG’s legal fight to stop the proposed pipeline. “It’s almost basic common …
Led by Senator Kevin Mullin (R-Rutland), the Senate Committee on Economic Development unanimously approved (5-0) the Toxic Free Families Act. VPIRG will be working with partners from the Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Vermont to pass the bill in 2014. The bill must now make a quick stop in the Senate Finance Committee before being voted on by the full Senate.
If you do not have health insurance you only have one week left to sign up with Vermont Health Connect for April 1st coverage. Open enrollment in Vermont Health Connect is coming to an end, so make sure you get covered today. If you miss this year’s open enrollment period you might not be able …
Group calls the proposed law, good for consumers, the food industry, and the Vermont brand Today, business leaders representing a broad cross section of Vermont’s food industry including suppliers, manufactures, and retailers, gathered at the Statehouse in Montpelier, VT to urge lawmakers to pass mandatory GMO labeling legislation, H.112. Representatives from Ben & Jerry’s, Two …
VT Businesses Call for Passage of VT GMO Labeling Legislation Read More »
This morning, VPIRG Executive Director Paul Burns testified before the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee to oppose provisions within S.208 that would mean cutbacks to Vermont’s Bottle Bill. His testimony focused on the history of environmental success of the Bottle Bill, as well as the overwhelming popularity of the program with Vermonters. You can …
VPIRG and Allies Testify to Protect Vermont’s Bottle Bill Read More »
VPIRG’s Toxic-Free Families Day brought parents with children, public health advocates, fire fighters, and legislators together to call for support better measures to protect Vermonters, particularly kids, from unnecessary exposure to toxic chemicals in everyday products. Check out photos and video from the event.
