Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Global climate change brings increases in precipitation extremes, from severe drought to heavy rainfall events, both expected to become more prevalent through the 21st century. Powerful weather events already impact human environments, with intense fires and flooding, and greatly transform natural ecosystems. How will these periods of excessive rainfall or drought affect establishment of forest tree species and their future distribution—how they migrate, survive, and adapt to a changing climate? In the life of a tree, the young seedling stage is the most sensitive to climate extremes due to shallower roots and less access to water stored in soil.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department has announced that the purple crowberry (Empetrum atropurpureum), a diminutive alpine shrub last documented in Vermont in 1908, has been rediscovered on Mt. Mansfield. The purple crowberry grows low to the ground in rocky habitat above the tree line. The species is identifiable by needle-like leaves and purple berries, and is found in the Northeast in Maine, New Hampshire, and New York. The purple crowberry is listed as uncommon in New Hampshire and state endangered in New York.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department says its Hammond Cove public shooting range in Hartland will close December 12, and the West Mountain Wildlife Management Area public shooting range will close December 14. “We want to thank all of the people who have supported the operation of the two ranges in Windsor and Essex Counties which are essential to hunter skill development and the safe use of firearms,” said Alison Thomas, Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s director of outreach. “Both ranges will close for the winter and reopen next spring.”

by Annette Smith Not long ago, utilities envisioned a new renewable electricity system that would involve time-of-use rates and load management via smart meters. The idea was that customers would do laundry and charge electric vehicles (EVs) at night when demand for electricity and prices were both low. Grid customers and utilities have a long way to go to understand how this new system would actually work. Having lived off-grid in Vermont for more than 30 years – using solar, batteries and a back-up generator – I have a good understanding of how to adapt to this new renewable energy system. What I have learned may be helpful to others.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Kathy Hochul on November 30, 2023, announced the start of construction of the 339-mile Champlain Hudson Power Express transmission line, being developed by Transmission Developers Inc, to deliver reliable clean energy from Hydro-Québec in Canada directly to New York City. The construction of this green infrastructure project, which begins following the execution of a major union labor agreement between the developer and New York State Building and Construction Trades, is expected to bring $3.5 billion in economic benefits to New Yorkers while creating nearly 1,400 family-sustaining union jobs during construction. 

Vermont State Police Earlier today, multiple federal, state and local law-enforcement agencies carried out search warrants and arrest warrants at three residences on Valley Street in Springfield. Investigative work on this matter has been carried out by agencies including the Vermont State Police; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Drug Enforcement Administration; Homeland Security Investigations; the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Narcotics Investigation Unit, the police departments in Brattleboro, Springfield and Windsor, Vermont, and in Lebanon, New Hampshire; the Windsor County State’s Attorney’s Office; and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine The Bennington County Regional Commission (BCRC) and the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) are pleased to announce that ten projects submitted as part of the Southern Vermont Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) have received Vital Project designation. The Southern Vermont CEDS is a federally-approved action plan for growing the regional economy. Each year, the CEDS includes new and updated project submissions from businesses and organizations that highlight activities strengthening the region. Projects were selected by a CEDS Project Review Committee composed of members of the public and business community. The committee reviewed 78 projects from municipalities, businesses, and non-profit organizations across the two-county region. They met in Dover in early November to complete a final project review and select 10 vital projects.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Federal Credit Union donated over $20,000 to variety of local charities and non-profit organizations in recognition of the “Giving Tuesday” movement. The charities selected include: Spectrum Youth Services in St. Albans, Enosburg Food Shelf, HOPE Holiday Shop, Addison County Parent Child Center, Pride Centers VT, Jenna’s Promise, Franklin County Humane Society, Vermont Children’s Museum, Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports and Lamoille Community House.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Corrections (Vermont DOC) is conducting internal administrative and medical reviews following the death of an incarcerated individual on Wednesday. The Vermont State Police is also investigating. Charles Mould, 74, of Bennington, Vermont, was found unresponsive in his cell at Southern State Correctional Facility (SSCF) in Springfield Wednesday morning. Vermont DOC and medical staff called for emergency medical services. EMS arrived on site and pronounced Mr. Mould dead a short time later. The official cause of death as determined by the Vermont State Medical Examiner is natural causes.

Vermont Business Magazine Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) on Wednesday issued the following joint statement after the US House of Representatives passed legislation averting a rail strike and guaranteeing paid sick leave for rail workers: “We thank President Biden and Labor Secretary Walsh for their hard work in negotiating a tentative agreement that is better than the disastrous proposal put forward by the rail industry. But Congress can and must make this agreement better. For nearly three years our nation’s rail workers have been fighting on the front lines of the pandemic. They have kept our trains on the track even while facing unprecedented challenges."

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today issued the following statement on the potential national rail shutdown: “A rail shutdown would severely disrupt the flow of essential resources throughout America, including heating fuels, salt for winter ice control, and many other supplies critical to the health and safety of Vermonters and all Americans. I fully support President Biden’s request that Congress put in place the Tentative Agreement, which was agreed to earlier this year by workers and operators. Americans cannot withstand further supply disruptions, or cost increases, and I strongly encourage Congress to move quickly and send a bill to the President’s desk.”