VPIRG’s mission is to promote and protect the health of Vermont’s people, environment and locally-based economy by informing and mobilizing individuals and communities across the state.
Fighting the climate crisis, repowering Vermont, and saving Vermonters money with clean energy solutions.
Putting people ahead of profits and standing up to powerful special interests on behalf of all Vermonters.
Making government more open, responsive to and reflective of ordinary citizens.
Eliminating toxins from consumer products, drinking water, and our environment.
Working to dismantle systemic racism to ensure equal rights and treatment are afforded to all Vermonters.
Reducing waste to protect the natural environment that is so central to our ecosystem, economy and way of life.
News & Updates
Statement on TCI-P
VPIRG members have been pushing for an equitable, substantial Transportation and Climate Initiative Program (TCI-P) for several years. We believe a well-designed program can boost our economy, reduce climate emission, and address inequities in our transportation systems. In December 2020, a bipartisan group of governors and mayors from Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and the District of Columbia announced that they would ...
Read MoreVermonters Urge Accountability for GlobalFoundries
VPIRG delivered a petition signed by over 760 concerned Vermonters to the Vermont Public Utility Commission today, urging them to reject GlobalFoundries’ demand to be exempted from renewable energy and climate laws. This brazen attempt by the largest greenhouse gas emitter in the state to get out of its renewable energy responsibilities cannot be allowed ...
Read MorePriorities for Vermont Climate Action
We are deeply grateful for the work of the Vermont Climate Council, which has put in an immense amount of effort towards creating a Climate Action Plan for the state – the first draft of which is due on December 1st of this year. Members of the Council, subcommittees, and public engagement team have put ...
Read MoreTell the Scott Administration: No Dirty Energy Deals for Global Foundries!
GlobalFoundries, the largest electricity user in Vermont, is working on a deal with the Scott Administration to become a “self-managed utility,” cutting off its reliance on Green Mountain Power for electricity. In doing so, GlobalFoundries is declaring it should be exempt from the state’s renewable energy and energy efficiency programs. If the state bows to their ...
Read MoreApply to be an Assistant Canvass Director!
We’re hiring! Apply to be an Assistant Canvass Director for the VPIRG 2022 Summer Canvass. Application deadline: Saturday, November 13th, 2021 Instructions to Apply: Email Summer Canvass Director, Sam McGinty, at smcginty@vpirg.org with a resume and cover letter that outlines why you make a strong candidate and the top three AD realms (outlined below) that you ...
Read MoreTurning 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 childcare ...
Read MoreOpen Letter to the Vermont Climate Council
On Monday, October 4th, 2021 VPIRG and other organizations in the #ActOnClimateVT coalition delivered a letter to the Vermont Climate Council reflecting the principles that it sees as vital to the success of the Council’s Climate Action Plan. As the December deadline for the Vermont Climate Action Plan fast approaches, it is more critical than ...
Read MoreWebinar: What You Need to Know About the Climate Action Plan
Recently, VPIRG’s own Ben Edgerly Walsh moderated the latest entry in the Climate Action Works webinar series, What You Need to Know About the Climate Action Plan. Ben was joined by officially appointed Vermont Climate Council members, who shared the latest updates about the work being done in each of the subcommittees to develop the ...
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