Current News

Green Mountain Power is inviting customers to an open house at its Energy Innovation Center (EIC) in Downtown Rutland on Saturday, May 2, 2015 beginning at 9 am. The public can learn about GMP’s line of comprehensive energy efficient products and services that will empower customers to take control of their energy use and save money. This is the third open house GMP has offered in partnership with Efficiency Vermont and Neighborworks of Western Vermont to feature new products and services. With spring finally here, now is the time to consider home improvements like heat pumps, water heaters and more.

The Joint Commission (TJC), the nation’s leading accreditation and certification organization for hospitals and healthcare organizations, has renewed the Brattleboro Retreat’s Accreditation status for a period lasting up to January 2018. Accreditation from TJC is recognized as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting or exceeding a variety of performance standards.

The Joint Commission, an independent, not-for-profit organization, accredits and certifies more than 20,000 healthcare organizations across the country. TJC accreditation and certification is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting certain performance standards.

Four winners in Vermont were recognized Wednesday at EPA’s 2015 Environmental Merit Awards ceremony. The environmental leaders were among 27 recipients across New England honored for helping to improve New England’s environment. Each year EPA New England recognizes individuals and groups in the six New England states who have worked to protect or improve the region’s environment in distinct ways. The Vermont winners were Jacob Park of Green Mountain College, Poultney; DELTA T-90 Students at Norwich University, Northfield; Mountain Meadow Farm, Sudbury; and Green House Gas Use Reduction Projects at IBM Vermont, Essex Junction. Justin Johnson, newly appointed secretary of the Vermont Agency of Administration, was also recognized.

The merit awards, given out since 1970, honor individuals and groups who have shown particular ingenuity and commitment in their efforts.

Drivers need to be alert and cautious because moose are on the move, according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. Moose are more likely to be crossing roadways at this time of year, especially after dark or early in the morning as they move from wintering areas to spring feeding locations.

More moose are hit by motorists in the spring than at any other time of the year. There is another peak of activity in September and October, the breeding season for moose.

“Motorists hit 64 moose on Vermont highways during 2014,” said Col. Jason Batchelder of the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. “We are asking drivers to be especially careful and for people to enjoy watching moose from a distance. Moose can be unpredictable and dangerous if you get too close and they feel cornered or get irritated.”

Dynapower Company, the global leader in energy storage inverters based in South Burlington, Vermont, has expanded the capacity and performance of the micro-grid system at its company headquarters by adding 375 kW/250 kWh of lithium-titanate batteries manufactured by Microvast Power Solutions. The Dynapower HQ micro-grid, which also includes 100 kW of photovoltaic (PV) systems, 100 kW of wind power, and 750 kW of additional battery storage capacity, provides local load support and demonstrates how Dynapower energy storage inverters can deliver efficient micro-grid power conversion.

This year marks 100 years since the 1915 legislation enabling the creation of Vermont town forests was enacted. To recognize Vermont’s long and proud tradition of towns owning and managing their own forests for public benefit, statewide partners are planning a year-long celebration of Vermont’s Town Forests. The celebration kicks off on April 28th with the reading of a Vermont Senate and House resolution commemorating the anniversary and a press conference with state leaders and community volunteers.

Date: April 28, 2015

Schedule of Events

10:00 am Resolution Reading on the House of Representatives floor

11:00 am Press Conference, Cedar Creek Room, VT State House

· Senator Ginny Lyons

· Representative Rebecca Ellis

· Michael Snyder, Commissioner Dept. Forests, Parks and Recreation

by Rob Roper It is safe to say that all or at least most of us believe that Vermont is a very special place, and we all want to do what’s necessary to preserve and pass on this unique treasure that both draws and keeps us here – majestic mountains, pristine waters, and wild, open spaces. The question is, what is the best policy for doing so.

On April 14, the State Senate passed a resolution declaring:

That the Senate of the State of Vermont recognizes that climate change is real, that human activities make a substantive contribution to climate change, and that it is imperative Vermont take steps now to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels in order to promote energy independence and meet the State’s statutory goals for reduced greenhouse gas emissions….

Governor Peter Shumlin issued the following statement after the House gave preliminary approval to H187, earned sick leave legislation. The Vermont House approved the Earned Paid Leave bill, in a vote of 72-63, last Thursday night.

“I want to thank Reps. Tristan Toleno, Sarah Copeland-Hanzas, Helen Head, and Speaker Shap Smith for their leadership on this important measure. Most Vermonters agree that if you’re sick you shouldn’t be faced with the decision to either go to work and put others at risk or miss work, sacrifice your paycheck, and potentially lose your job. Many employers already provide fair earned leave policies. But some do not and that puts many Vermonters in a difficult and unfair situation. In the past, I have been skeptical of proposals that did not do enough to recognize the costs and burdens to businesses this legislation might create. This bill addresses those concerns in a balanced and thoughtful way to provide this important benefit to Vermonters.”

In what will be the highest volume customer for compressed natural gas in the nation, NG Advantage LLC – a Clean Energy company (NASDAQ: CLNE) - announced today that it has signed a contract to work with International Paper (NYSE: IP) to deliver compressed natural gas (CNG) to International Paper’s Ticonderoga, NY, mill. NG Advantage will deliver CNG to the mill using its "virtual pipeline," which consists of compressor stations located on natural gas pipelines, a fleet of specially designed carbon fiber CNG trailers, and off-loading and monitoring equipment which NG Advantage is installing at the mill. Deliveries will begin in May 2015. Terms of the deal were not released.

Eric Lipton, longtime reporter for the New York Times and a graduate of UVM’s Class of 1987, is among this year’s recipients of the Pulitzer Prize, which were announced on April 20. The Times won the prize for investigative reporting for Lipton’s series on aggressive efforts by lobbyists and lawyers to push state attorneys general to drop investigations, change policies, negotiate favorable settlements or pressure federal regulators to benefit their clients.

Photo by Sally McCay, UVM

The Rutland City Board of Aldermen has approved a request from College of St Joseph to waive a substantial initial water allocation fee and to stabilize the college’s water and sewer bill over the first five years of the college’s expanded usage. The Community and Economic Development Committee unanimously voted earlier in the month to recommend that the Aldermen approve the deal.

“We are grateful Rutland Redevelopment Authority and the Board of Aldermen are supportive of CSJ and our anticipated growth and expansion,” said CSJ President Richard Lloyd.

Over 110,000 Vermonters may be eligible for a refund of Sirius XM satellite radio charges from between July 28, 2008, and December 4, 2014, if they file a complaint by May 1, 2015. The average consumer refund is $95. Consumers must file the complaint forms found here, showing a loss that has not already been resolved by Sirius XM. Complaints should be sent to: Sirius XM, PO Box 33059, Detroit MI 48232-5059. Consumers are advised to keep a copy of their completed complaint forms.