In a huge win for the health of Vermont’s people and environment, the Vermont Senate unanimously passed S.295 today, a bill banning PFAS in certain products including firefighting foam, carpets/rugs, and food packaging. The term ‘PFAS’ refers to a very large (and ever growing, with more research being done all the time) class of chemicals …
During this crisis, we need to do everything we can to protect frontline workers who are making it possible for life to go on for the rest of us. At the same time, we need to guard against corporate interests trying to use the crisis as leverage to win policies that could harm public health …
It’s hard to be shocked these days by something the Trump administration does to harm the environment and public health. But several days ago, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made a truly shocking announcement. Now headed by Andrew Wheeler, a Trump appointee and former coal industry lobbyist, the …
VT Leaders Must Oppose Trump EPA’s Free Pass to Polluters Amid Crisis Read More »
In a strong showing of support to ban toxic PFAS chemicals from our consumer products, the Senate Health and Welfare Committee unanimously voted S.295— an act relating to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances—out of committee Friday, March 13th. This move comes after several weeks of testimony taken by the committee, including supportive testimony by Conservation Law Foundation, the Professional Firefighters of Vermont, Seventh Generation, Vermont …
Bill to Ban Toxic Chemicals from Consumer Products Advances Read More »
The VT Legislature is back from Town Meeting break and it’s crossover week, which means legislation needs to move this week if it’s to have a chance of being enacted this year. VPIRG director Paul Burns and Vermont Conservation Voters director Lauren Hierl came together to give an update on where several key pieces of …
Environmental Health Crossover Update & Call to Action Read More »
It’s that time of year again! Our friends at USPIRG have released the 34th annual Trouble in Toyland Report. This year’s report highlights a number of potential threats to navigate while shopping for loved ones this holiday season, including toxic amounts of boron in “slime” products and a failure by Amazon to appropriately label choking hazards. …
At VPIRG, we know that plastic can be incredibly harmful to our health and the environment, which is why we worked to pass the nation’s toughest ban on single-use plastics here in the Green Mountain State. But some kinds of plastic are even worse than others. Take black plastic, for example. It’s used for a …
Late yesterday, Governor Scott signed into law a bill (S.55) that he had previously blocked as both governor and lieutenant governor in its earlier iterations. The law is designed to better protect children from toxic chemicals in products that are made specifically for kids. The new law makes important changes to the Chemicals of High …
Governor reverses course; signs bill to protect kids from toxic threats Read More »
Today Governor Scott signed into law a landmark bill protecting against lead in school drinking water. The move is being celebrated by environmental advocates across the state. “There’s really only one kind of water we should be giving our kids in schools and child care centers, and that’s unleaded,” commented Paul Burns, Executive Director of …
Governor Signs Bill Protecting Against Lead In School Drinking Water Read More »
Neonicotinoid insecticides threaten bees all over the Green Mountain State – which has serious implications for all of us. For instance, the UN just published a sobering report that highlights how crucial biodiversity is and how human activity, like the use of pesticides, is hurting biodiversity around the world. Just as concerning is the fact …
Governor Scott Signs Neonic Restriction Bill Into Law Read More »
