A report released today reveals that major retail companies are making slow but meaningful progress at improving the chemical safety of the products, food, and packaging they sell, but nearly half of those scored — including every restaurant chain evaluated — have failed to take any public measures to help eliminate toxic chemicals from the …
VPIRG joined the Conservation law Foundation (CLF) and other partners in filing a petition calling for new drinking water standards in Vermont that better protect the public from harmful PFAS chemicals. The petition calls on the Agency of Natural Resources to implement water treatment solutions to protect Vermonters from the full class of PFAS instead …
Yesterday, Gov. Phil Scott vetoed the first major bill to reach his desk as a response to the 2016 discovery of the toxic chemical PFOA in drinking water in Bennington County and elsewhere around Vermont. The bill, S.103, was aimed primarily at protecting children from toxic chemicals in their toys, clothing, utensils and other products. …
Gov. Scott vetoes S.103, siding with industry over Vermont’s children Read More »
VPIRG is urging all candidates for public office in Vermont to support a ban on so-called pay-to-play activity related to state contracts. Recent controversies over related practices have involved members of both the Democratic and Republican parties. Lt. Gov. Phil Scott recently announced that he would sell his portion of his construction business if he is …
“Pay-to-play” corruption must be addressed in VT Read More »
VPIRG joined a broad coalition of lawmakers and organizations at the State House today to promote public health, celebrate Oral Health Week and voice their support for legislation (S.20) that would expand Vermont’s dental workforce. S.20 would let licensed dental hygienists receive advanced training and become certified as “dental therapists.” These dental therapists could provide routine restorative …
Oral Health Care for All coalition calls for expanded dental workforce Read More »
VPIRG and hundreds of our supporters joined with a coalition to urge Governor Peter Shumlin and the Public Service Board to stop construction of the fracked gas pipeline. Read the updated statement to the media and the full letter to Governor Shumlin and the Public Service Board below. ———————————————— Updated statement Middlebury, Vermont — Just …
Updated: 1400+ Call for End of Gas Pipeline Project Read More »
Today VPIRG and allies from the Vermont Oral Health Care for All Coalition gathered at the State House to voice support for legislation that would expand Vermont’s dental workforce. S.20 and H.1 would allow Licensed Dental Practitioners to provide dental services in the state of Vermont and address dental access issues faced by Vermont. Click …
Oral Health Care For All Coalition Calls For Licensed Dental Practitoners Read More »
This morning, advocates from Vermont’s environmental protection, business, and scientific community gathered alongside Lawmakers at the State House’s Cedar Creek room, in support of House Bill 4, Vermont’s bill to ban microbeads. Click Here to read the official VPIRG press release. House Fish and Wildlife Chairman Representative David Deen, cosponsor of H.4, commented on the …
On the opening day of Vermont’s legislative session, a politically diverse group of lawmakers joined VPIRG in calling for an amendment to the state Constitution so that all future leaders are elected by the people of the state. Currently, Vermont’s Constitution requires legislators to choose the winner in races for governor, lieutenant governor or treasurer …
VPIRG, Senators Urge Support for Vermont Popular Vote Amendment Read More »
On December 29, VPIRG filed a legal motion asking the Public Service Board to reject Vermont Gas’ extraordinary request to indefinitely delay proceedings on the Phase II of the company’s fracked gas pipeline project. Specifically, VPIRG asked the Board to dismiss Vermont Gas’ Petition without prejudice, but with specific conditions that would apply with any …
