VPIRG celebrated the end of a two-month-long bottle drive to raise funds for farms damaged by Tropical Storm Irene. In total, the statewide Redeem to Rebuild drive raised over $8,000 through the collection of redeemed containers as well as through non-profit, business, and individual donations.
It’s full steam ahead on health care reform and we’re gearing up for the 2012 legislative session. State leaders have key decisions to make and we need your help to make sure Vermont stays on the right path to a health care system that’s fair, patient-centered, and affordable for all.
Corporate influence in politics is growing faster than ever in the wake of Citizens United v. F.E.C. This recent U.S. Supreme Court decision opened the floodgates for corporate money in electoral politics by declaring that corporations have full free speech rights under the law.
In addition to our work to make all products safer, every year VPIRG releases our annual Trouble in Toyland report highlighting potential hazards in children’s toys. This year Trouble in Toyland, along with an interactive tool accessible via smart phone or computer at http://toysafety.mobi, will help parents and other toy-buyers avoid some common hazards this holiday-shopping season.
Take this Toy Safety Shopping Guide along with you when heading out on your holiday shopping trip. This brochure summarizes what to look out for including toxics, choking and noise hazards, and more.
Dangerous or toxic toys can still be found on America’s store shelves, according to the Vermont Public Interest Research Group’s (VPIRG’s) 26th annual Trouble in Toyland report.
The report reveals the results of laboratory testing on toys for lead and phthalates, both of which have been proven to have serious adverse health impacts on the development of young children. The survey also found toys that pose either choking or noise hazards.
After many months of work and a tremendous amount of public input, the state created a comprehensive energy plan calling for 90% of our energy needs (electricity, heating and transportation) to be met with renewable resources by 2050. Read the plan here!
The completion of the Sheffield Wind Project, which will provide enough electricity to power 15,000 homes, marks a major step toward the kind of clean energy future that most Vermonters support, according to the state’s largest environmental and consumer advocacy group.
Many challenging public and environmental health questions arose following Tropical Storm Irene. This fact sheet includes resources and information about mold, soil, water and air quality implications following the flood.
VPIRG’s Environmental Health Advocate, Charity Carbine-March, pulled additional resources and information about environmental health implications of mold, soil, water and air quality following Tropical Storm Irene.
