Just before the Vermont Legislature left for Town Meeting Week break, the Senate passed the Affordable Heat Act (S.5) on a strong 19-10 vote. This is a significant win for Vermonters. In the face of a well-financed fossil fuel industry ad blitz, sowing fear and misinformation, the Senate stood up and advanced this critical climate …
On To The House: Next Steps For S.5, The Affordable Heat Act Read More »
Two years after the city voted to adopt ranked choice voting (RCV) for city council elections, 64.4% of voters favored expanding the reform to include elections for mayor, schoolboard commissioner, and ward election officers. Additionally, Tuesday marked the first-time voters across all wards had the opportunity to use ranked choice voting to elect their city …
Ranked Choice Voting is a Popular Success in Burlington’s Town Meeting Day Election Read More »
In another major win for climate action, the Vermont Senate advanced S.5, the Affordable Heat Act, on a 19-10 vote. The bill will now head to the House of Representatives. In the face of unparalleled pressure from the deep-pocketed fossil fuel industry – which has ramped its opposition to the bill with over $35,000 in a …
Affordable Heat Act Advances Through Vermont Senate, Moves to House of Representatives Read More »
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 »
