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Vermont Business Magazine The Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Entergy filed responses today with the US Atomic Safety and Licensing Board opposing the State of Vermont's request for a hearing. The state opposes the NRC's decision to alter the existing Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant emergency warning system. Entergy is the owner of the Vernon plant and as owner has been responsible for the warning system. The NRC, in a split decision, ruled earlier this year that because the plant shut down in December, Entergy could discontinue offsite emergency planning activities and reduce the scope of its onsite emergency planning. The stated requested an ASLB hearing to revisit this issue last week.

Cary Buck and his AAA Accredited Pest Control company will pay a $70,000.00 penalty to the State of Vermont and has permanently surrendered his pesticide license, according to Vermont Attorney General Bill Sorrell. Buck’s license was suspended in 2013 following an enforcement investigation by the Agency of Agriculture and the Office of the Attorney General. Buck, of North Clarendon, Vermont, used pesticides containing chlorpyrifos, which is not approved as an indoor surface spray, in treating homes for bed bug infestations, and used approved pesticides at excessive rates. He also inaccurately documented his use of the pesticides. Buck’s practices came to light after a Rutland home he had treated became contaminated with chlorpyrifos.

Vermont’s own Hinda Miller received a Lifetime Achievement Award last night in Glasgow, Scotland, at the Sports Business Innovation Awards 2015, for invention of the “Jogbra,” a sports bra for women she co-invented in 1977. The Sports Business Innovation Awards highlight innovation and achievement in sports related businesses in Scotland. Hinda’s involvement in the development of the sports bra for women, and subsequent business success story, were inspirational to guests attending the Glittering Awards Ceremony and to other award winners such as DiaryDoll and Findra.

US News & World Report has released its rankings for the Best Law Schools for 2016, placing Vermont Law School in the Top 2 for environmental law for 2016. This marks the 25th year that VLS ranks in the Top 2. VLS has ranked Number 1 in environmental law 17 times and Number 2 eight times.

“We credit our world-class faculty for this achievement,” said VLS President and Dean Marc Mihaly. “We’ve been doing this since 1978, when we established the Environmental Law Center, and today our academic and clinical opportunities continue to set us apart. I couldn’t be more proud of our faculty and the entire Vermont Law School community.”

Green Mountain Power and groSolar have announced that the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) have awarded the Stafford Hill Solar Farm in Rutland the 2015 Project of Distinction Award. The award was presented this week in Boston at PV America, an annual trade show and conference designed to serve and advance the solar PV market by bringing together industry professionals. The award celebrates a major milestone for the Northeastern solar market and recognizes the highest achievement for a PV solar energy project of any scale.

GMP CEO Mary Powell, with Governor Shumlin, announces the Stafford Hill project last year. VBM file.

by Matt Borick You may have heard of a recent “international incident” involving Sony Pictures and North Korea over the movie The Interview, a comedy about a plot to assassinate Kim Jong Un, North Korea’s leader. Computer hackers in North Korea did not appreciate this storyline, and voiced their disapproval by launching a massive cyber attack on Sony. Nearly 50,000 current and former Sony employees had their personal information released. Multiple lawsuits have already been filed.

Vermont Gas Systems, Inc. will now offer its energy efficiency services to even more Vermonters, including some in potential new service areas – whether or not they choose to sign up for natural gas service. Qualified homes in Addison County will be eligible for a free energy audit, detailing recommended energy efficiency measures. The audit report will detail the estimated cost of each recommended energy efficiency measure and how much money residents are expected to save. Vermont Gas’ energy efficiency programs save current customers $13 million each year. Programs are also available for commercial customers.

Residents of an East Hardwick, Vermont, neighborhood that endured and then fought the pollution and noise of heavy-duty truck idling daily in a Compact Residential zoning district for nearly nine years won a Notice of Violation (NOV) judgment order from the State of Vermont Superior Court Environmental Division on March 4, 2015 that effectively prohibits a trucking company from continuing operation of commercial truck tractors in that district.

John Mandeville, an appellant in the case, following issuance of judgment, stated, “…the whole neighborhood is much relieved that this is over and that we were successful in our case before the Environmental Court and, as a result, we will get our nice, quiet village back.”

Origin Consulting LLC, has announced the go-live of Oracle Utilities Operational Device Management at Green Mountain Power (GMP). Oracle Utilities Operational Device Management, selected in February 2014, provides inventory, asset and configuration management of smart grid devices. It provides operational knowledge of each device’s location, characteristics, firmware updates, configuration management, scheduled activities and audit compliance. GMP, a cutting-edge power utility serving 250,000 customers throughout Vermont, will use this product to initially manage current and voltage transformers, AMI meters, non-AMI meters and customer-leased heat pumps.

The Vermont State Police have announced the formation of a Major Crime Unit within its Criminal Division. The Major Crime Unit will consist of a group of experienced investigators who's primary responsibility will include investigations of homicide, officer involved shootings, missing persons where foul play is suspected, cold case homicides/missing persons and other complex criminal investigations deemed appropriate.

While the concept of a Major Crime Unit is new to Vermont, it is consistent with the operations of other state police agencies and large police departments across the country. Detectives in the Major Crime Unit will receive additional specialized training directly related to the investigation of major crimes.

Thirteen Vermont cities and towns will receive more than $4 million in grants to make them more resilient, affordable, and accessible, Governor Peter Shumlin announced today in Montpelier. The municipalities will use the funds to build and improve affordable housing, complete disaster repairs, make public spaces accessible to all residents, and revitalize community centers.

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“Spring is coming and soon these grants will lead to construction projects across state that will help improve communities, grow jobs, and spur economic growth,” Gov. Shumlin said. “From Lyndon to Wilmington, these projects will help our small towns complete disaster recovery projects, create more affordable housing, and further develop their communities.”

Darn Tough Vermont, American manufacturer of premium, performance socks, has recently been recognized in a speech by Vermont Senator Partick Leahy. Per Senator Leahy’s request, an article about Darn Tough’s planned mill expansion, which appeared on VTDigger.org, a Vermont-focused news website, has been entered into the Congressional Record.

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