Current News

Rising natural gas prices pushed wholesale electricity prices in New England up by 55 percent in 2013, according to preliminary figures from ISO New England Inc, the operator of the region’s bulk power system and wholesale electricity markets. Preliminary data show that the average price of wholesale electric energy rose to $56.06 per megawatt-hour (MWh) in 2013, up from 2012’s historic low price of $36.09/MWh.
The McNeil plant in Burlington is powered by wood chips and natural gas. Vermont Business Magazine photo.
Compared to average annual wholesale electricity prices since 2003, the year that competitive markets in their current form were introduced in New England, the 2013 annual average was the fifth highest, and 30 percent lower than the all-time high of $80.56/MWh during 2008.
Green Mountain Power, Vermont's largest electric utility, has stated that current electric rates will not be affected by this hike in natural gas prices.

by Morgan True vtdigger.org Vermont Health Connect appears to have signed up over 70,000 Vermonters in federally qualified health plans through its insurance exchange, and with those enrolled in Medicaid, the number swells to over 100,000, but state officials were hesitant to claim victory Tuesday, in reaching VHC's goal of enrolling 100,000.

by Hilary Niles vtdigger.org A preliminary analysis of a potential boost in Vermont’s minimum wage shows that without concurrent policy changes to public assistance programs, low-wage workers might lose more in benefits than they gain in earnings.
The finding was presented to the House Committee on General, Housing and Military Affairs on Tuesday afternoon. The committee holds jurisdiction over labor issues, and is pondering a graduated increase in the state’s minimum wage from $8.73 cents per hour to anywhere from $10.10 to $12.50 or higher.
Rep. Helen Head, D-South Burlington, chair of House General, said she is willing to take more testimony after a public hearing scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at the Statehouse. She hopes to move the bill out of her committee by the end of next week, if not sooner.

by Sarah Wojcik, Ski Vermont Shred long and prosper. That’s what skiers and riders will do in Vermont after winter storm Vulcan dumped up to two feet of snow on the Green Mountains last week. Vermont resorts not only enjoyed a weekend of stellar conditions, great lift tickets sales and a boost in season pass sales for the 2014-15 season, but can now plan to stay open for a long and prosperous spring ski season due to the deep snowpack.
“We had 30 inches of snow and are now hoping to stay open until Sunday, May 4th,” said John Bleh of Sugarbush Resort. “This recent storm has really made this possible and should make for some awesome spring skiing.”

by Hilary Niles vtdigger.org Activists, legislators and ice cream magnates Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield gathered in the Statehouse on Tuesday afternoon to call on Vermont lawmakers to pass paid sick leave and minimum wage legislation.
Ben Cohen, left, and Jerry Greenfield. vtdigger photo.
The media event followed a half-hour ice cream social at which the Ben & Jerry’s founders scooped up Americone Dream. It also came on the heels of reports that House Speaker Shap Smith, D-Morrisville, won’t bring the paid sick days bill to the House floor for a vote, despite his support for the mandate.
Political observers have speculated that both instituting paid sick leave and raising the minimum wage is not politically feasible this session.
The skepticism is fueled by the wake of mammoth changes to health insurance, with still more to come as Gov. Peter Shumlin leverages capital to finance the nation’s first single-payer health care system.

by Anne Galloway vtdigger.org Vermonters care deeply about local schools and that passion was on display Tuesday night, as dozens of people testified in the House Chamber on a proposal that would have a profound effect on their relationship to local schools.
Parents, superintendents, teachers, district business managers and school boards spoke about why they support or oppose the Legislature’s long-range plan to eliminate some 282 local school board districts and replace the current system with 30 to 60 districts statewide.

Related Company: Keurig Green Mountain IncAs part of its focus on water stewardship, Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. (NASDAQ: GMCR), a leader in specialty coffee, coffee makers, teas and other beverages with its innovative brewing technology, today announced a multi-faceted effort to address the long-term, interconnected challenges of the water crisis, starting with a commitment of $11 million to support leading nonprofit organizations working domestically and internationally to promote water security.

Related Company: Vermont Creamery, IncVermont Creamery, one of the country’s premier producers of goat cheese and cultured butter, has earned certification as a B Corporation, an acknowledgment of the company’s commitment to social and environmental ethics, transparency and accountability. Vermont Creamery joins nearly 1000 Certified B Corporations globally – including 17 others in Vermont-- that have met the rigorous standards that measure a company’s impact on its employees, suppliers, community, and the environment.
“For 30 years, our mission has been to produce the highest quality cheese and butter available,” said Vermont Creamery co-founder Allison Hooper. “But right from the start, it has been equally important that our company be socially responsible and an upstanding member of the Vermont community. Becoming a Certified B Corporation validates our commitment to our employees and farmers, our local community, and Vermont’s working landscape.”

Related Company: Goddard CollegeRobert Kenny has been appointed interim president of Goddard College. The Goddard Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve the hiring of Kenny, according to Board Chair Avram Patt. Kenny officially begins work April 30.
Kenny, a native of Vermont, returns to Goddard after serving as vice president of finance and administration at Georgian Court University in Lakewood, NJ. He had overseen finance and administration as well as academic affairs while at Goddard from 2008 to 2011. Prior to that he served in administrative roles and as a professor of business at St Michael’s College in Colchester.
“We are gratified and excited that Bob accepted our offer to serve the college again,’’ Patt said. “Bob understands Goddard’s unique history and strengths and we look forward to his leadership.”
Kenny graduated from the University of Vermont in 1972 and earned his Master's in Business Administration from UVM in 1981.

Related Company: Goddard CollegeGoddard College is the recipient of a $30,000 Cultural Facilities Grant from the Vermont Arts Council. With this award, Goddard plans to increase the comfort, accessibility, safety, and functionality of the Haybarn Theatre, which is currently a venue for national and international performers, community members, and students.
Specifically, this grant money will renovate the Haybarn’s foyer bathrooms, making them ADA accessible, and add assistive listening devices for the hearing-impaired, energy-efficient LED theatre lighting, and a permanent sound system and acoustic treatment.
“We are overjoyed to have the opportunity to bring much needed improvements to this essential community and student venue,” said Goddard College Event Manager Meg Hammond.

Related Company: Merchants BankStrolling of the Heifers has announced that Merchants Bank will continue as Presenting Sponsor of the upcoming Strolling of the Heifers Weekend, Slow Living Summit and Tour de Heifer.
Stroll Weekend takes place June 6-8, with the world-famous Strolling of the Heifers Parade as its centerpiece on Saturday, June 7, followed by the all-day, 11-acre Slow Living Expo, all taking place in downtown Brattleboro.
The Slow Living Summit, a conference on mindful, artful living and connected, resilient communities, takes place just before the weekend on June 4-6, while the Tour de Heifer, a set of 15, 30 and 60-mile farm-to-farm cycling tours, happens on Sunday, June 8.

Related Company: OpenTempo, Inc.OpenTempo, a healthcare IT company that helps medical practices create efficient staff schedules, has been awarded a bronze-level Governor’s Worksite Wellness Award for 2013.The awards will be presented by the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness & Sports and the Vermont Department of Health on Thursday, March 27, 2014, at the Sheraton Hotel & Conference Center in South Burlington. They are part of a day-long event focused on worksite wellness, taking place from 7:30 am to 4 pm.