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So here it is, the beginning of August, and we are no closer to knowing who will be the Democratic gubernatorial nominee than we were a year ago. Well, we are a little closer. It would be quite the upset if state Senator Susan Bartlett wins the nomination in the August 24 primary. She performed well in many of the forums and debates but failed to translate that into the contributions and supporters necessary to build a get-out-the-vote operation.

Christopher L Dutton was named president and chief executive officer of Vermont Electric Power Company on April 12, following a vote by Vermont Electric Power Company’s board of directors. Dutton, 61, succeeded John J Donleavy who resigned April 10. VELCO is the state’s provider of electric transmission service. Dutton has served on the VELCO Board of Directors since 1997. Dutton served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Green Mountain Power from 1997-2008; after having held various management positions within GMP.

Nichols College in Dudley, MA, has told Saint Michael’s College in Colchester that it is withdrawing its masters programs that were to have begun at the Colchester campus this fall semester. Saint Michael’s said the dean of the program was leaving his position and that the central Massachusetts business school was re-evaluating the program. Nichols College said it will instead focus on another site in Florida. Nichols Vermont Director of Graduate and Professional Studies, Brian Lewis, sent the following email to the Saint Michael’s administration:

 The Vermont Student Assistance Corporation is facing an existential threat stemming from a new law that ends its function as a funnel for federal loans.

Tax credits and other incentives are spurring a solar-energy boom in Vermont, with more than half-a-dozen commercial projects underway or nearing construction in various parts of the state. Even with this spate of development, however, solar will account for only a tiny fraction of Vermont's electricity supply. But the sprouting of solar farms does point to a future in which this type of renewable energy might play a significant role in a state not noted for brilliant sunshine.

Vermont utilities’ pending 26-year power deal with Hydro Quebec looks likely to proceed, given the absence of opposition from environmental groups in the state. That position of at least tacit acceptance contrasts with the protests heard in the 1980s when HQ was negotiating a contract with Central Vermont Public Service and Green Mountain Power. That agreement was ultimately approved, but Burlington voters rejected a similar deal due to concerns about the impact of HQ’s dams on native peoples and the environment of northern Quebec.

With the exception of Middlebury College, none of Vermont’s higher education institutions ranks as “highly selective,” so all must aggressively market themselves in order to lure paying customers.

As Governor James H Douglas’ time in office comes to an end, it is useful to summarize the changes in environmental law that have occurred during his tenure. This article primarily focuses on changes relating to land use permitting, smart growth, renewable energy and energy efficiency, water pollution control and climate change made during the Douglas Administration.

 For decades, America’s small business owners have asked for more affordable health insurance coverage and more tax relief. The new health reform law – the Affordable Care Act – provides both.

Legal developments concerning a Pulitzer Prize-winning weekly newspaper published on the California coast but formed in the state of Vermont is offering hope for beleaguered newspapers throughout the country. The newspaper, the Point Reyes Light, incorporated in May as an L3C, a Low profit Limited Liability company authorized under Vermont law. The first-in-the-nation L3C statute was approved by the Vermont Legislature and signed into law by Governor Jim Douglas in 2008.