Legislature passes bill to phase out most toxic light bulbs;
Today, the Vermont Senate followed in the footsteps of the House of Representatives in adopting legislation to ban sales of 4-foot linear fluorescent light bulbs starting January 1, 2024.
Press Releases
Community Leaders & Lawmakers Call for Passage of Environmental Justice Bill
Today, community leaders and legislators gathered in Montpelier to call for passage of the state’s first comprehensive Environmental Justice bill, S.148. Leaders discussed environmental justice issues in Vermont, and the actions being taken to remedy known inequities among impacted populations. Vermont is one of only a handful of states that lacks an environmental justice policy, …
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News Release: House Passes Bill to Phase Out Most Toxic Lamps
Today, the Vermont House of Representatives gave final passage to legislation to ban sales of 4-foot linear fluorescent tubes starting January 1, 2024, a move that would cover about 90 percent of fluorescent tube installations. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration there. Read the full release below:
VPIRG Launches \”Keep Vermont Cool\” Campaign
Compared to America as a whole, Vermonters are substantially more concerned about climate change, yet only a small percentage are currently taking political action to address the issue. Those are the findings of a new poll conducted by the Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG) and FM3 Research, and the basis of a new climate …
Press Release: VT on track to ban CFLs
Vermont is on track to become the first state in the nation to ban the sale of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) after the lighting industry conceded to state officials that better, mercury-free alternatives are now widely available. Attention now turns to the wide variety of other mercury-containing fluorescent lighting still being sold for residential and …
Turning the Lights Out on Fluorescents
Coalition Calls for Phase Out of Mercury in Lighting in Vermont A new report released today by the Vermont Public Interest Research Group, the Mercury Policy Project and the Clean Lighting Coalition highlights the environmental and health risks posed when fluorescent lamps break, especially to vulnerable populations. The report provides concrete steps government, industry, consumers, and others, like …
Statement on social media post regarding 2017 Summer Canvass
VPIRG takes seriously the concerns raised by a former canvasser who made an anonymous post recently on social media, and we deeply regret any sense of harm they may have experienced while working as a canvasser. In addition to the specific accusations about a director in the office, the post included complaints about the culture of VPIRG’s canvass in 2017. While we never …
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Vermont Enacts Groundbreaking Restrictions on Toxic PFAS Chemicals
Vermont Governor Phil Scott signed into law a nation-leading bill that restricts the sale of consumer products that contain toxic chemicals known as PFAS. Legislative leaders and organizations released the following statements in response. Senator Ginny Lyons, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health & Welfare noted, “Firefighters, outdoor enthusiasts, children and families understand how …
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Vermont Senate Advances Bill to Ban Toxic PFAS Chemicals
Today, the Vermont Senate gave initial approval to legislation (S.20) to ban PFAS and other toxic chemicals from certain products. The bill is supported by firefighters, business groups, educators, public health and children’s advocates, and environmental groups. The bill will be up for its final Senate vote tomorrow, before being sent to the House for …
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VT Groups Unveil Shared Priorities for Climate Action in 2019
On Wednesday, VPIRG joined with a coalition of 25 groups from around Vermont — representing youth, low-income, business, public health, environment and others — to announce a shared platform for Climate Action, detailing our shared policy goals for the 2019 session. In a press event at the Vermont State House Wednesday, the coalition urged action …
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