Current News

by Mike Faher/The Commons, Brattleboro The first truck containing contaminated groundwater has departed from Vermont Yankee, and many more will follow. At a February 25 meeting in Brattleboro, Entergy administrators disclosed that they have begun shipping the fluid — which is flowing with unexpected intensity into the plant’s turbine building — to a disposal site in Tennessee. Officials have said the water is contaminated with relatively low levels of tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen. But as the liquid leaves the Vernon plant in quantities of roughly 5,000 gallons per load, area residents shouldn’t expect to see any convoys or even specially marked trucks.

Vermont Business Magazine Roger Allbee of Townshend has been elected chair of the board of trustees of Union Institute & University at its quarterly meeting on January 28, 2016 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Allbee served as vice chair from 2013 to 2015 and has been a member of the board since July 2011. Union Institute & University President Roger H Sublett said he is grateful to Allbee for his dedication and commitment to Union. Allbee is CEO of Grace Cottage Hospital and Rural Health Clinic in Townshend, Vermont. 

“We are indeed fortunate to be led by this visionary leader. Mr. Allbee is an outstanding advocate of Union’s goal to transform lives and communities. His expertise and experience will assist Union in its mission to engage, enlighten, and empower adult learners to pursue a lifetime of learning, service, and social responsibility.”

Vermont Business Magazine The Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA) has mailed final renewal notices to more than 5,800 Medicaid and Dr. Dynasaur members. DVHA urges members who receive a letter to act immediately to ensure that they don’t have a gap in health coverage. The letters, which inform members that their coverage was set to end on February 29, follow on the heels of a January notice and February reminder. Members who missed the deadline and lose coverage should still apply for new coverage as soon as possible. Whether they can get coverage will depend on 1) how soon they apply and 2) whether they are ruled eligible for Medicaid.

Commentator Tim McQuiston believed the sale of Keurig Green Mountain would come eventually, but not imminently and not to the company that has now acquired it.

Vermont Business Magazine Waterbury-based Keurig Green Mountain, Inc (NASDAQ: GMCR) and JAB Holding Company today announced the successful completion of the acquisition of Keurig Green Mountain by a JAB-led investor group. The acquisition was announced on December 7, 2015, and the $13.9 billion transaction closed and became effective today. Under the terms of the transaction, Keurig Green Mountain stockholders will receive $92.00 per share in cash for each share they own. The transaction was approved by Keurig Green Mountain stockholders at a special meeting of stockholders held on February 24, 2016. As a result of the completion of the acquisition, Keurig Green Mountain's common stock ceased trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market before the opening of market today. Keurig shareholders approved the deal last Wednesday.

by Governor Peter Shumlin I’ll admit that I don’t understand how Washington D.C. and Congress work most of the time. For years, Republicans in Congress have thrust the institution into perpetual gridlock, so much so that it struggles to fulfill its most basic responsibilities. Even after the death of a Supreme Court Justice, Senate Republicans are refusing to even hold hearings on a replacement. So it is surprising to say the least that Congress is now looking like it might actually do something. Unfortunately that something would be to ban Vermont from enacting our law to require labeling of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to ensure our citizens have the right to know what is in their food.

Vermont Business Magazine Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont (BCBSVT) is the number one Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plan in America in overall service to its members. The independent, locally managed plan achieved the highest possible ranking in member satisfaction and efficiency metrics for the third year in a row, retaining its first-in-the-nation status among Blues plans. “The focus of our company is on creating positive member experiences, and our entire organization shares that commitment” Don George, BCBSVT President and CEO said. “We are very pleased to have received the distinction of being the top performing Blue Plan three years running and we continue to look for ways to improve the service we provide to Vermonters.”

Don George, BCBSVT president.

Vermont Business Magazine Magic Hat Brewing Company recently released Low Key – a new session IPA tuned to the key of ease with a tropical hop lead and a smooth malt bass. This easy-drinking session IPA is light in body, but packs a big hop flavor. With 4.5% ABV and 40 IBUs, Low Key is the perfect IPA to enjoy any time of day. Low Key is available on draft at some of the best beer bars across the country. It will also be available in 6-pack bottles and 6-pack cans, as well as 16 oz. cans. Low Key pairs well with light dishes, spicy tacos and grilled swordfish. It's also a great complement to brie, camembert, and cheddar cheeses, as well as desserts, like sorbet and lemon cake.

by Erica Houskeeper A chance interaction changed the course of Amelia Gulkis’s career. The UVM alumna, who graduated in 2001 with a degree in history, is now the chief operating officer of EnSave, an agricultural energy-efficiency company in Richmond that helps clients from around the country. After earning her degree, Gulkis worked as a development researcher for UVM Medical Center before landing a job in 2004 at EnSave as a proposal writer. Gulkis learned about the unadvertised writing position at EnSave from a colleague in a book club. That colleague also sat on a local nonprofit board with EnSave president Craig Metz. For Gulkis, that connection changed everything.

Bill represents commonsense compromise to inform consumers with clear labels
while ensuring manufacturers aren’t burdened by a confusing patchwork of state regulations

Vermont Business Magazine Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Jon Tester (D-MT), and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) Wednesday introduced legislation that would ensure that consumers can find GMO ingredient labeling on food packaging while ensuring that food producers are not subject to confusing or conflicting labeling requirements in different locations.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont is the most prepared state to tackle a low snowfall season with snowmaking systems that can cover up to 80% of the state’s ski and snowboard terrain. A concerted investment by Vermont ski and snowboard areas last year in high efficiency snowmaking equipment is paying dividends for skiers and riders this season, allowing many Vermont resorts to maintain open trail counts despite fluctuating weather patterns. Vermont resorts continue to fire up snowmaking systems when possible, honoring their commitment to provide the best possible conditions and an extended season to their customers.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont is the 23rd-best state for retirement, according to a new Bankrate.com report. Vermont scored well in healthcare quality (#10) and low crime (overall #1 in nation). The main drawbacks are a relatively high cost of living (#42), taxes (#41) and the weather (#35). Regionally, New York was worst overall, while three New England states finished ahead of Vermont: Maine #11 (cheaper, better health care, better weather), New Hampshire #15 (lower taxes, better health care, worse weather); and Rhode Island #22 (better health care, better weather). The study examined six key factors: cost of living, taxes, healthcare, weather, crime and residents’ overall well-being.