The Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG) called on Starbucks today to stop deceiving customers about the recyclability of the coffee giant’s single-use plastic cups. The gathering outside a Starbucks in South Burlington was part of a nationwide week of events in response to new data showing what actually happens to Starbucks plastic cold cups …
A Federal Court sided with Vermont voters in a September 17th decision to dismiss a US Department of Justice (DOJ) lawsuit seeking Vermont’s complete voter file. This marks the 24th loss for the DOJ in cases seeking state voter rolls, containing voter’s drivers license numbers, partial Social Security numbers, and other private information. The Vermont …
Data centers are back in the news in Vermont, and I wanted to make sure you saw. Last Wednesday, VT Digger’s Sean Robinson reported that “Gov. Scott vetoed state regulations on data centers. One of his deputies just urged Congress to pass them.” The article discusses the recent support for a federal bill aimed at …
Over the past few weeks as I’ve been enjoying this Vermont summer with my friends and family, the topic of my work has of course come up – and with it, VPIRG’s efforts on the data center bill that we helped get passed during the legislative session. Over and over, when I let people know …
The U.S. Supreme Court sided with pesticide manufacturers in a June 25th decision that will make it much harder for people harmed by pesticides to hold chemical companies accountable. In Monsanto v. Durnell, the Court ruled that people generally cannot sue pesticide manufacturers under state law for failing to include warnings about health risks on …
Supreme Court Sides with Pesticide Manufacturers Over Public Health Read More »
The Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG) kicked off its “Democracy Vermont” summer outreach campaign today at an event at Roosevelt Park in Burlington. VPIRG is among the most well-known public interest advocacy organizations in the state, and each summer sets out to connect with tens of thousands of Vermonters at their homes. This summer’s …
VPIRG launches “Democracy Vermont” summer outreach campaign Read More »
Vermont Becomes the First State in the Nation to Ban Paraquat and Reduce Risk of Parkinson’s Disease Montpelier, VT — Governor Phil Scott signed landmark legislation into law today, making Vermont the first state in the nation to ban the toxic herbicide paraquat, which is linked to Parkinson’s disease. Health and environmental advocates celebrated the …
Paraquat. It’s a strange word with serious consequences. Paraquat is a highly toxic herbicide. So much so that consuming just one teaspoon can be fatal, and there is no antidote. Paraquat threatens the health of our farmers and nearby communities, and the evidence linking paraquat to Parkinson’s disease is clear and continues to grow. Today, …
As the Vermont House Agriculture Committee prepares to consider H.739, legislation that would ban the toxic pesticide paraquat, a new statewide poll finds strong bipartisan support among Vermont voters for taking action. Scientific studies have linked paraquat exposure to an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease. Earlier testimony from Dr. James Boyd, a neurologist with UVM …
New Poll: Nearly Three-Quarters of Vermonters Support Banning Paraquat Read More »
Governor Phil Scott signed S.23 into law on Thursday, legislation that sets strict rules for the use of artificial intelligence in Vermont’s elections. The new law requires that any campaign media featuring AI-generated images, audio, or video used within 90 days of an election must include a clear disclosure. It also establishes regulations on the …
S.23, An act relating to the use of synthetic media in elections, passes in to law Read More »
