(Update 5/24/18): In yet another shameful display of putting corporate polluters ahead of Vermonters’ best interests, Gov. Scott vetoed S.197 – legislation that would have provided a modest step towards justice for Vermonters harmed by toxic chemical exposure by providing medical monitoring at the polluting entity’s expense. “The governor’s veto…
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On May 21st Gov. Scott signed H.739, which creates a three-year pilot program that allows Efficiency Vermont more flexibility in working with Vermont businesses on custom efficiency and energy saving programs. While it started as a reaction to the Scott Administration’s proposal to make significant cuts to efficiency programs, we…
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Earlier this week, VPIRG held a press conference outside of the Lowe’s Home Improvement store in South Burlington as part of a national “Mind the Store” campaign urging Lowe’s to stop selling deadly paint strippers. Executive Director Paul Burns made brief remarks outside of the store and presented the store…
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This past week, the Senate passed an amendment by Sen. Anthony Pollina (Washington County) to S.285, which would reclaim Vermonters’ nickels to fund recycling or other important state programs. This amendment must still win approval in the House, but this is a huge achievement that VPIRG has been working toward for…
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UPDATE (4/11/2018): Gov. Phil Scott could decide within hours whether to sign or veto new legislation that would protect kids in Vermont from harmful chemicals in children’s products. The bill (S.103) is on his desk, and industry lobbyists (chemical manufacturers, Associated Industries of Vermont and even some toy makers) are…
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Late last week, the House advanced their version of the budget in a 122-10 vote, and in it they included a ‘climate package’. This section of climate-related appropriations may ring a bell if you’ve been following our climate work this session! Specifically, the climate package includes: $120,000 for a…
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Earlier this week, the Vermont Senate passed S.197, VPIRG-backed legislation aimed at helping Vermonters who have been harmed by toxic substance release, by a 17-13 vote. We strongly believe that Vermonters deserve the right to be protected from toxic chemical exposure and to effectively seek justice against those who poisoned…
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When it comes to serious legislative action to protect our people and environment and move our state forward in a positive fashion, we cannot afford to “wait and see” any longer. We need bold action now. The attacks from D.C. on everything from climate to toxic chemical protections to digital…
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Last week, the House advanced H.764, a first-in-the-nation bill to regulate data brokers in Vermont. This is an important step to give Vermonters better protections and more control when it comes to their sensitive information. Last summer’s Equifax data breach — where the personal information of over 140 million Americans…
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Updated (5/10/18): This week, the Vermont legislature passed H.410, the expanded appliance efficiency standards and omnibus energy bill! This bill now heads to the governor’s desk. If he signs it, Vermonters could save nearly $17 million per year in energy costs by 2025 — simply thanks to more efficient appliances.…
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