News & Updates

Thanks to everyone who called into the State House. Thanks to you we are one step closer to universal heath care! Just minutes ago we got word that the State Senate is fast tracking the health care bill and will be voting on it today.

Monday morning, executives from Entergy, Vermont Yankee’s corporate owner, decided to go back on their word yet again and sue the state of Vermont, claiming Vermont doesn’t have the right to weigh in on Vermont Yankee’s future.

With warmer weather here and the snow quickly disappearing, many of us are looking forward to getting outside to enjoy Vermont’s spectacular natural environment. Unfortunately, some of our state’s pristine, protected state lands are at risk of being damaged and degraded by the use of All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs).

The Senate Health Care Committee passed the health care bill 5-0 Wednesday, beating back the worst amendments that would have given far more power to insurance companies and jeopardized this rare opportunity we have to ensure that every Vermonter has access affordable health care.

Late April 6th, the Senate voted overwhelming in favor S.15, which guarantees coverage for midwifery services in Vermont. The bill will end the discrimination against expecting mothers who would prefer to have their child in the comfert and supportive environment of their own home but currently have to pay for home birth out of pocket, ...

On Tuesday, April 5, the House of Representatives passed a bill that will make renewable energy and energy efficiency projects more affordable to Vermonters. The bill, H.155, makes important changes to the Property Assessed Clean Energy, or PACE, program that was originally passed in 2009.

On Thursday March 24th, the House of Representatives passed Vermont’s comprehensive health care reform bill H.202 in a 89-47 vote. This bill is the first step on the path towards a health care system that is universal, affordable, transparent – and fair. Everyone participates, and most importantly, everyone would be covered.

Over the past five years, VPIREF has released three major reports addressing the challenges and opportunities in determining Vermont’s energy future. These reports provided insights into the economic challenges and environmental impacts of energy use in Vermont and identified solutions that could help Vermont build a clean energy future.