News & Updates

Now more than ever, Vermonters need elected officials who are willing to take bold action towards reducing our dependence on dirty energy and fossil fuels. Despite broad consensus that we must transition away from dirty fossil fuels, Vermont’s greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise. From reduced snowfall, to extreme weather events and increased energy costs, ...

With only five weeks until Election Day, it’s time for Vermonters to start thinking about how and when you are going to cast your vote. Now that voting in Vermont is so simple, the only thing to do is make sure to have a concrete plan in place to get out and vote. It is extremely ...

Vermont’s new Ethics Commission offered a stern rebuke of Gov. Phil Scott Tuesday — calling out the governor’s ongoing financial relationship with his former business. The governor receives large annual payments from the business while the business itself has received at least one major state contract valued at $250,000 since Scott took office. The Commission stated ...

Despite a strong civic culture in our state, voter turnout in Vermont is declining. In 2014 – the last non-presidential election year – Vermont saw the worst voter turnout in more than 50 years at a mere 41%. Compared to the 63% voter turnout in 2016, that’s more than 125,000 eligible Vermont voters that did not ...

Back in August, we at VPIRG began asking candidates in the upcoming elections to sign on to our No Fossil Fuel Money Pledge, taking a stand against the influence of dirty money in their candidacy and our democracy. Since then, close to 80 candidates from across the state have signed on, choosing to prioritize the ...

Across the country and here in Vermont, candidates are being asked to reject campaign contributions from the gas, oil and coal industries. And it’s working. Already, 100+ Vermont candidates who will be on the ballot in November have stepped up to take the pledge. Check out the full list of signers! There’s no question it’s time to ...

Following Rep. Kiah Morris’ decision to withdraw her candidacy for a third term as a state representative from Bennington, VPIRG signed on to the following letter along with Main Street Alliance of Vermont, Toxic Action Center, The Vermont Network Against Domestic Violence, Justice for All, Voices for Vermont’s Children, Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance, Planned Parenthood ...

In July 2017, Gov. Phil Scott established the Vermont Climate Action Commission, tasked with creating a plan for Vermont to meet our climate and energy commitments. The commission recently released its final report and, unfortunately, it’s a 119-page disappointment. The report fails for three reasons. First, Gov. Scott corrupted the process by allowing politics to trump policy, stacking ...