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by Annette Smith H.710 got very little testimony in the House Energy & Digital Infrastructure Committee and the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee, with a brief stop in the Senate Finance Committee. As it passed through the various committees, it was clear that legislators did not understand the bill. There was much confusion about what it meant. What is it? H.710 changes the definition of “single plant” which was intended originally to address wind turbine projects, so that a road and infrastructure leading to a specific number of wind turbines was considered a “single plant.” The new definition proposed in H.710 would allow for up to 5 MW to be added to every existing wind and solar project in Vermont. And then another 5 MW. And then another.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) on Wednesday released the following statement on the ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, details of which have been shrouded in secrecy by the Trump Administration: “I am encouraged by early reports of a ceasefire deal. The bombing in Iran and Lebanon must end. I opposed the war with Iran before it began, and I oppose this war today—it has been a massive failure. President Trump’s own objectives for his illegal war—to topple the regime, to dismantle Iran’s nuclear capabilities, and eliminate Iran’s ballistic missile program—have not been met. The new Supreme Leader is upholding the status quo, there is no indication that nuclear material has been meaningfully destroyed, and our own intelligence has said 75% of Iran’s missile arsenal is intact. Trump wanted ‘unconditional surrender’ but the only unconditional surrender has been by the president himself."

Vermont Business Magazine Price increases for gasoline, diesel, and fuel oil added $124 million in estimated costs for Vermont drivers and fuel oil customers over the last three months. That’s one of the key findings of the latest analysis from the Energy Action Network (EAN), a statewide non-profit organization that conducts energy-related data tracking, research, and analysis. Since early March, EAN has been analyzing the cost increases that Vermont and Vermonters have been facing since fossil fuel price spikes began after the start of war in Iran on February 28th.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) invites the public to comment on the draft Tactical Basin Plan (TBP) for the West, Williams, and Saxtons Rivers Basin (also known as Basin 11). DEC completed the plan with local nonprofits, regional planners, town officials, and scientists. The plan outlines more than 75 ways to restore and protect rivers, lakes, and wetlands within a portion of Vermont’s Connecticut River Basin, covering towns from Mount Holly to Brattleboro. Members of the public can review and comment on the draft plan from June 15 to July 15, 2026.

Vermont Business Magazine The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announces revised wakesports rules under Vermont’s Use of Public Waters Rules that went into effect on June 11, 2026. The rules change where wakesports can occur and the decontamination (cleaning) requirements for all ballasted vessels, including wakeboats. Wakeboats are a type of motorboat that have one or more ballast tanks, ballast bags, or other devices or design features used to increase the size of the motorboat’s wake.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) invites the public to comment on the draft Tactical Basin Plan (TBP) for the Upper Connecticut River (also known as Basin 16). DEC completed the plan with local nonprofits, regional planners, town officials, and scientists. The plan outlines more than 40 ways to restore and protect rivers, lakes, and wetlands within a portion of Vermont’s Connecticut River Basin, covering towns from Waterford to Canaan. Members of the public can review and comment on the draft plan from June 15 to July 15, 2026.

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office today announced that Randy Shambo, 65, of Woodstock, Vermont, was arraigned on one felony count of luring a child. The charge brought against Shambo is the result of a criminal investigation, including the execution of search warrants, conducted by the Hartford Police Department and the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (VT-ICAC), which included personnel from the Attorney General’s Office. Shambo pleaded not guilty at the arraignment today in Vermont Superior Court, Windsor Unit, Criminal Division.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR), the state's nonprofit business association dedicated to leveraging the power of business for positive social and environmental impact, announced that Twincraft Skincare and Vermont Mutual Insurance Group have joined as Champion Members. VBSR Champion Members set the standard for values-led business in Vermont and beyond. By stepping up to this level, these two organizations are demonstrating their commitment to VBSR's collective mission, their support for all 600+ VBSR member organizations, and their leadership in building a better Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Four the fourth year, Vermont Works for Women is bringing their week-long trades exploration program to Center for Technology, Essex this summer. Started in 2023, Launching Inclusive Futures in Trades (LIFT) is designed to provide high school girls and gender-expansive students with exposure to various trades fields in a safe, fun, and empowering environment. Through hands-on learning and projects, LIFT participants spend the week exploring trades like carpentry, electrical, welding, and automotive, taught by female instructors trained and working in their respective fields.

Vermont Business Magazine National Life Group announced today that the National Life Group Foundation donated $2,105,686 to nonprofits in Vermont and the Dallas, Texas, region, with a focus on addressing children’s mental health and ending childhood hunger, the company’s core causes.

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Foundation Board of Directors has appointed Christopher D. Jacobsen, Ph.D., as its next President and Chief Executive Officer, effective August 3. A nationally recognized advancement leader with a record of transformational fundraising and collaborative leadership, Jacobsen will guide the Foundation’s efforts to advance the University of Vermont and its land-grant mission through philanthropy and alumni engagement. Jacobsen succeeds Kathleen Kelleher, who has served as the interim President and CEO of the UVM Foundation since July 2025. Former CEO Monica Delisa resigned to pursue other opportunities effective July 28, 2025. Delisa had served since June 1, 2022.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott announced Tuesday evening action on the following bills, passed by the General Assembly. Along with 16 bills he signed into law, he vetoed the healthcare bill S.190, An act relating to reference-based pricing and the Green Mountain Care Board. In doing so he said in part: "Advocates for this bill have claimed it would generate significant healthcare savings.  According to analysis by the Department of Financial Regulation, those claims do not hold up.  The GMCB has authority to control or reduce hospital prices and revenue." He also said there were legal problems with the bill.