Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The founding of the NAACP’s newest chapter in the nation, and first in the state of Vermont, was announced in June. Champlain Area NAACP members meet on the 2nd Tuesday of the month and meetings are open to the public. According to the local chapter: "The organization is enthusiastically seeking new members to join and help us further our work. Below you will find our organization’s mission, vision, and objective statements. It is our hope that community members who feel passionate about our commitments will support us by becoming an active member, but also through engagement and advocacy alongside us. Becoming a member provides you with a vote and ensures your voice will be heard. We warmly invite you to join us at one of our public meetings to learn more and to engage in the way that works best for you."

At a special meeting Wednesday evening, the Addison County Regional Planning Commission (ACRPC) voted again to support Vermont Gas’ Addison Natural Gas Project Phase 1. A statement by Vermont Gas said the 23-9 vote shows significant ongoing support for the project in Addison County. The project will bring the choice of natural gas to thousands of residents, businesses and institutions in Addison County.

Vermont specialty food producers took home gold at this week’s Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City. The sofi Awards, which stands for “specialty outstanding food innovation,” are the most prestigious awards in the specialty food industry and represent the best of the best. Vermont’s winners were Big Picture Farm, Fat Toad Farm, and Vermont Creamery, along with Wozz! Creative Kitchens, a New Hampshire producer who makes their product at the Vermont Food Venture Center in Hardwick.

The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources recently added nine species to the list of state threatened and endangered species. The listing included four plants, three bumble bees, one amphibian, and one bird. Three pollinators were listed - the rusty-patched bumble bee, yellow-banded bumble bee, and Ashton cuckoo bumble bee. Pollinators such as bees, moths, and butterflies are critically important to Vermont’s agriculture, but many are in decline nationwide. According to a survey by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, beekeepers reported losing 42 percent of their honeybee colonies between April 2014 and April 2015.

The rusty-patched bumble bee was one of three pollinators recently listed under Vermont’s Endangered Species Act, along with six other species. Photo by Johanna James Heinz, courtesy of the Xerces Society.

Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) Wednesday announced $35,645 in funding to help counter the spread of white-nose syndrome (WNS) in Vermont, a disease that has devastated bat populations, posing a significant ecological threat across New England and the country.

Leahy said: “White-nose syndrome has wiped out bat populations throughout much of the eastern United States. In my home state of Vermont, some bat species have declined by as much as 90-95%. We need continued efforts to combat WNS, and this is another step forward.”

The Public Service Department, pursuant to Act 41 of 2015, has taken over the assets and responsibilities formerly held by the Vermont Telecommunication Authority (VTA), which was officially dissolved on June 30. Broadband deployment initiatives will be spearheaded by connectivity specialists within the newly reorganized Division of Telecommunications and Connectivity. Division staff will oversee build-out and completion of federal and state-funded broadband projects, including the recent $963,350 Connectivity Initiative grants awarded by the Department in anticipation of this transition. Comcast, ECFiber, and FairPoint, will use grants awarded by the Department through the Connectivity Initiative to expand broadband internet to underserved areas in Vermont.

Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger today joined the Burlington Electric Department (BED), Burlington International Airport (BTV), and Encore Redevelopment to formally unveil a 500 kW solar array atop the airport’s parking garage. This is the latest project in the City’s ongoing commitment to add more community solar to its portfolio and brings Burlington’s total installed solar photovoltaic to 81 projects, generating 1.8 megawatts of power for the City. Over the anticipated 30-year life of the airport solar project, BED expects to save $3.5 million in power costs, an average of approximately $117,000 annually.

Neale Lunderville, Miro Weinberger and Gene Richards. Courtesy mayor's office.

Three years ago the Vermont legislature unanimously passed the Universal Recycling law (Act 148), and its first major recycling milestone began Wednesday. To kick things off the Agency of Natural Resources has prepared a campaign to explain what the law is really about: “resimplifying recycling” for Vermonters.

Recipients of the 2015 Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence were announced and recognized at a ceremony at the State House Monday. Environmental excellence awards have been given since 1993 to recognize efforts and actions of Vermonters to conserve and protect natural resources, prevent pollution, and promote environmental sustainability. To date, more than 200 efforts have been recognized.

“From businesses and non-profits to municipalities and educational institutions, it’s inspiring to see the work Vermonters are doing on a day-to-day basis to protect our environment and quality of life. I want to congratulate and thank all of the recipients for their hard work and dedication to keeping Vermont beautiful,” said Governor Peter Shumlin.

The Department of Environmental Conservation’s Compliance and Enforcement Division today announced that it has formally settled an illegal open burning violation with Waitsfield farmer Douglas H. Turner. Mr. Turner operates an organic dairy farm under the business name of “Simplicity Farm”. The settlement includes the payment of a $5,000 penalty.

On Saturday, May 31, 2014, Agency of Natural Resources personnel received an anonymous complaint that illegal burning was occurring at a Waitsfield property. Environmental Enforcement Officer (EEO) Daniel Mason responded to the complaint and quickly identified the strong odor of burning plastic. EEO Mason located the clandestine burn site where a large smoldering pile of material was observed in a pasture where cows were grazing.

Governor Peter Shumlin today signed a proclamation declaring July 2015 as “Lakes Appreciation Month.” The proclamation states that lakes and reservoirs are “critical to Vermont’s environment and quality of life, providing sources of recreation, scenic beauty, and habitat for wildlife” and that ”maintaining the health of our lakes, ponds, and reservoirs is the responsibility of every citizen.”

“By signing this proclamation, I seek to recognize the tremendous and critical efforts of the many Vermont citizens, community leaders, volunteers, lake and watershed organizations to protect and restore the quality of our state’s many lakes and ponds,” Gov. Shumlin stated.

New research published in the American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) has confirmed the International Bottled Water Association’s (IBWA) position that efforts to ban or restrict the sale of bottled can lead to increased consumption of less healthy beverages and plastic waste.

The study: “The Unintended Consequences of Changes in Beverage Options and the Removal of Bottled Water on a University Campus,” published this month in AJPH, concluded that the bottled water sales ban at the University of Vermont (UVM) resulted in a significant increase (25 percent) in the consumption of sugary drinks and an increase (8.5 percent) in the amount of plastic bottles entering the waste stream.