Vermonters concerned about the state’s threatened bees and other pollinators are celebrating the July 1, 2025 implementation of legislation to restrict the application of toxic neonicotinoid pesticides (“neonics”) in the state. On June 17th, 2024, Vermont legislators overrode Gov. Phil Scott’s veto of H.706 (now Act 182) that phases out the use of nearly all …
CLIMATE & CLEAN ENERGY Protecting Vermont’s Climate Progress from Rollbacks One of the most important outcomes of the 2025 legislative session was the successful defense of Vermont’s foundational climate policies. From the beginning of the year, attacks on climate action have come hard and fast from both President Trump and Governor Phil Scott. While many …
Late yesterday, Gov. Phil Scott signed into law further restrictions on the use of toxic perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in firefighting gear, dental floss, cleaning products, and fluorine-treated containers. According to the Vermont Department of Health, PFAS exposure can lead to reproductive and developmental disorders, decreased antibody response to vaccines, pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia, certain types …
We’ve passed the unofficial halfway mark of the 2025 Vermont legislative session. Last Friday marked the crossover deadline – the date by which bills must be advanced out of their initial policy committee if they are going to have a chance of being passed this year. We knew coming into this session that we’d need …
Vermonters have made it clear that the status quo just isn’t working. At VPIRG, we’ve never been real big on preserving the status quo anyway. Our work to protect Vermont’s people, environment, & democracy will continue in 2025. From guarding our online privacy to ensuring the safety of our food and products, we’re seeking progress …
Recent headlines like “95 Million Americans Have PFAS-Laced Drinking Water” underscore the alarming prevalence of toxic PFAS chemicals—also known as “forever chemicals”—in our food, bodies, and environment. From drinking water contamination to game meat consumption advisories, the evidence is clear: PFAS are a widespread problem and a threat to human health. What’s less clear—until now—is …
The Truth About Toxic PFAS Chemicals—and How Retailers Are Responding Read More »
VPIRG report provides consumers with tips for avoiding excessive and potentially toxic plastic packaging and products this holiday season. Nowhere on Earth is free from plastic pollution these days, from the highest mountaintops to the deepest ocean canyons. The problem gets worse each year and seems to peak during the holiday season when household trash …
Pollinators play a vital role in our ecosystem and are responsible for one in three bites of food we eat every day. Unfortunately, pollinator populations in Vermont and around the country are being threatened by a class of widely used pesticides called neonicotinoids. Fortunately, earlier this year the Vermont Legislature passed the Pollinator Protection Act …
5 Things to Know About the Pollinator Protection Act Read More »
CLIMATE & CLEAN ENERGY Climate Superfund Act (S.259) Following a hugely successful summer of canvassing in support of making the world’s largest fossil fuel companies pay their fair share to Vermont for the cost of the climate crisis to our state – and a fall of building support for the idea with events in every …
The Vermont House of Representatives gave its strong endorsement yesterday to legislation designed to protect bees and other pollinators in the state from toxic neonicotinoid pesticides, known commonly as neonics. The vote in the House was 112-29. The bill (H.706) has four main components: (1) it prohibits the use of field crop seeds (corn, soy, …
