Press Releases

New Campaign Aims To “Make Big Oil Pay” For Climate Damage in Vermont

Canvass, Climate & Energy, News and Updates, Press Releases / By

Environmental leaders launched a new campaign today to hold the largest corporate climate polluters accountable for the tremendous damage their product has caused in Vermont. The Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG) led the effort – called “Make Big Oil Pay” – in a campaign kick-off event just outside City Hall in Burlington. The event …

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Vermont Enacts Groundbreaking Law to Help Highest-Need Drivers Switch to EVs, Save on Fuel Costs

Climate & Energy, News and Updates, Press Releases / By

Today, Vermont’s Governor signed into law S.137, a bill that gives municipal utility Burlington Electric Department the power to create new incentives to help high-volume gasoline users switch to electric vehicles. This is the first law in the country designed specifically to help low- and moderate-income drivers using extreme amounts of gasoline – more than …

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Business, Environmental, and Social Equity Organizations Call on Legislature to Override Gubernatorial Veto of Affordable Heat Act 

Climate & Energy, Efficiency & Electrification, Global Warming Solutions, Heat Clean, News and Updates, Press Releases / By

A coalition of business, environmental, and equity-focused organizations called on the Vermont Legislature to override Governor Phil Scott’s veto of S.5, the Affordable Heat Act.  This veto comes right on the heels of the Scott Administration’s release of the latest Vermont Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Forecast. This report projects Vermont will miss its legally …

Business, Environmental, and Social Equity Organizations Call on Legislature to Override Gubernatorial Veto of Affordable Heat Act  Read More »

Affordable Heat Act Passes the Vermont House of Representatives on 98-44 Vote 

Climate & Energy, Efficiency & Electrification, Heat Clean, News and Updates, Press Releases / By

In a significant step towards climate action, the Vermont House of Representatives passed S.5, the Affordable Heat Act, on a 98-46 roll call vote on second reading and, on final reading, they advanced the bill back to the Senate. This is important and necessary progress. Legislators on the House Committee on Environment and Energy worked …

Affordable Heat Act Passes the Vermont House of Representatives on 98-44 Vote  Read More »

VT Senate Gives Initial Approval of Ranked Choice Voting Legislation 

Elections and Government Reform, News and Updates, Press Releases / By

Today, the Vermont Senate voted 23-7 on Second Reading in favor of legislation to put ranked choice voting in place for Vermont’s 2028 Presidential Primary. The vote included support from Democrat, Republican, and Progressive/Democrat Senators.   The bill (S.32) would also create a summer study committee to investigate and make recommendations on other statewide elections …

VT Senate Gives Initial Approval of Ranked Choice Voting Legislation  Read More »

Vermont House Gives Thumbs Up to Modernize the Bottle Bill 

Bottle Bill, News and Updates, Press Releases, Zero Waste / By

The Vermont House yesterday gave its strong approval to legislation that would update and substantially update the scope of the state’s beverage redemption program, commonly known as the Bottle Bill. The vote in favor of H.158 was 115-29, and the bill now heads to third reading.  The Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG) has been …

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Vermont House Ways and Means Committee gives thumbs up to modernize the Bottle Bill

Bottle Bill, News and Updates, Press Releases, Zero Waste / By

The Vermont House Committee on Ways and Means gave its strong approval to legislation on Friday that would update and substantially expand the scope of the state’s beverage redemption program, commonly known as the Bottle Bill. The vote in favor of H.158 was 9-3 and follows the House Energy and Environment’s 10-1 endorsement of the …

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Key Committee Advances Bill to Protect Vermonters from PFAS and Other Toxic Chemicals

News and Updates, Press Releases, Toxics & Environmental Health / By

On Friday, the Vermont Senate Committee on Health and Welfare unanimously passed legislation (S.25) to ban PFAS and other toxic chemicals from products including personal care products, textiles, and artificial turf fields. The bill is supported by Vermont small businesses, public health and children’s advocates, and environmental groups. It now heads to the full Senate …

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VT Senate Government Operations Committee Advances Ranked Choice Voting Legislation 

Elections and Government Reform, News and Updates, Press Releases / By

On March 15th, the Senate’s Committee on Government Operations voted 6-0 in favor of legislation to put ranked choice voting in place for Vermont’s 2028 Presidential Primary. The unanimous vote included support from Democratic, Republican, and Progressive/Democrat members.   The bill (S.32) would create a summer study committee to investigate and make recommendations on other statewide …

VT Senate Government Operations Committee Advances Ranked Choice Voting Legislation  Read More »

Ranked Choice Voting is a Popular Success in Burlington’s Town Meeting Day Election 

Elections and Government Reform, News and Updates, Press Releases / By

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 »

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