Current News

Shelburne Museum was recently awarded $25,000 from People’s United Bank for a new exhibit of Time Machines: Robots, Rockets and Steampunk. Time Machines: Robots, Rockets and Steampunk will be on exhibit between June 16 and October 28, 2012.
The exhibit will feature visions of the future that explore rapidly changing technology and technological dreams. From the Golden Age of science fiction to the space race to contemporary utopian views of technology, Time Machines will tell its story through art, textiles, decorative arts, toys, clothing, books, posters, and more.

Vermont Business Magazine The Faculty Practice Division of the University of Vermont Medical Group recently honored ten faculty members at The University of Vermont Medical Center and Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at the University of Vermont who received awards for their exceptional teaching and research efforts.

byAnne Galloway vtdigger.orgLawmakers will be sequestered in committee for much of this week, listening to testimony, discussing policy questions and hammering out legislation.
The biggest bill to reach the floor of the House, probably on Tuesday or Wednesday, will bea ‘net metering’ proposalthat would raise the cap on how much residential solar power generators can feed back into the electrical grid. The legislation would also require power companies to offer a higher value credits for net metered power.
Redistricting and the Vermont State Hospital replacement plan will be on the front burner as lawmakers in House Government Operations and House Human Services, respectively, attempt to push bills out of committee this week.
Mental health

The State of Vermont Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants and Operators were recently selected by EPA for a 2011 Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Excellence Award. The EPA Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Excellence Award was established to recognize and honor the employees of publicly owned wastewater treatment plants for their commitment to improving water quality with outstanding plant operations and maintenance. More often than not, and particularly with the smaller facilities, conscientious operators and staff continue to perform exceptionally with limited resources.

In testimony on the proposed merger of Green Mountain Power and Central Vermont Public Service submitted Friday to the Vermont Public Service Board, Vermont Electric Power Company President and CEO Chris Dutton pointed to VELCO’s over 50-year track record of the electric transmission company’s reliable service and ratepayer savings in urging the Board to protect what works and not jeopardize the company’s ability to continue to provide these public benefits.

A new partnership will bring the innovative Vermont-made AllSun Tracker solar electric system to homeowners and businesses throughout northwestern and central Vermont.The dealer partnership between local installer Building Energy and solar tracker manufacturer AllEarth Renewables was announced today. With offices in Williston, Middlebury, Stowe & White River Junction, Building Energy is an energy services company that provides full service solar engineering, design, installation and equipment services for homes, businesses, municipal buildings, and nonprofits.

By Alan Panebaker vtdigger.org Now that a federal judge has ruled in favor of Entergy, Vermonters are reflecting on what the decision means for the state and for future regulation of nuclear power facilities.
On Thursday, United States District Judge J. Garvan Murtha ruled that the Atomic Energy Act preempted two Vermont laws: one that prohibited the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant from operating beyond March without legislative approval and another that required Entergy to obtain permission to store high level nuclear waste at the site. Murtha’s decision also enjoined the Vermont Public Service Board from conditioning the issuance of a certificate of public good for continued operation on the existence of a below-wholesale-market power purchase agreement between Entergy and Vermont utilities.
Lawyers, lawmakers and Vermont citizens are sifting through the 102-page opinion, trying to determine just what it means for Vermont and the rest of the country.

Tom Freston, a 1967 graduate of Saint Michael's College, will be the 2012 commencement speaker at ceremonies to be held Monday, May 14, at the liberal arts Catholic college located in Burlington, Vermon,. Regarded as a ground-breaking pioneer in television, Freston spearheaded the rise of MTV Networks.
Tom Freston is a principal of Firefly3, an investment and consutancy firm, with focus on the media and entertainment industries. He is former CEO of Viacom, and was for 17 years, chairman and CEO of MTV Networks. He is now chairman of the ONE Campaign, an anti-poverty advocacy group that was started by Bono, leader of U2.
Honorary degrees
Tom Freston, Sister Lindora Cabral, RSM, president of Sisters of Mercy, and Major General Michael Dubie, Adjutant General of the State of Vermont, will receive honorary degrees at commencement.

The Public Service Board has approved a four-year regulatory plan for FairPoint Communications that takes an important first step toward ensuring fair industry competition while providing pricing flexibility and protections for consumers.
FairPoint is required to update its regulatory plan every four years and the Vermont Department of Public Service supported the company in its request for regulatory oversight that more accurately reflects the modern telecommunications industry.
‘We appreciate the faith the Department and Public Service Board have shown in supporting these important improvements that will benefit both customers and FairPoint,’ said Michael K Smith, Vermont state president. ‘The changes allow FairPoint to compete more directly and that will be very good for Vermonters.’

Tomorrow is the big day for the Northeast Kingdom Chamber's big move to the Green Mountain Mall. We just wanted to alert you that our phones have already been turned off, so e-mails will be the only way to contact the chamber office today.
You may contact us today at:
Darcie McCann - [email protected]
Jenn Garand - [email protected]
Rick Provan - [email protected]
We look forward to serving you in our new location and hope you drop by sometime soon. Our new offices are located between Radio Shack and Union Bank, directly across the mall entrance to the JC Penney store.
Our address will change, but please note our phone numbers and e-mail addresses will not. Our new address is:
Northeast Kingdom Chamber
2000 Memorial Drive - Ste. 11
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819

Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR) today indicated that it expects fourth quarter 2011 as-reported earnings of approximately$0.86per share and operational earnings of approximately$0.93per share. Results for fourth quarter 2010 were$1.26per share on an as-reported basis and$1.30per share on an operational basis. Entergy also affirmed its previously issued operational earnings guidance for 2012.
As-reported results are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and are comprised of operational earnings (described below) and special items. Special items were reflected in both periods arising out of the following:

expenses for outside services in connection with the proposed divestment and subsequent merger of Entergy's electric transmission business into ITC Holdings Corp. announced onDec. 5, 2011and
expenses associated with the previously planned spin-off of the non-utility nuclear business incurred in fourth quarter 2010.

People's United Financial, Inc (NASDAQ: PBCT) today announced net income of$43.0 million, or$0.12per share, for the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to$32.0 million, or$0.09per share, for the fourth quarter of 2010, and$52.9 million, or$0.15per share, for the third quarter of 2011. Operating earnings were$58.7 million, or$0.17per share, for the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to$36.7 million, or$0.10per share, for the fourth quarter of 2010 and$67.3 million, or$0.19per share, for this year's third quarter. Included in the quarterly results are merger-related expenses and one-time charges (after-tax) totaling$15.7 millionin the fourth quarter of 2011,$4.7 millionin the fourth quarter of 2010 and$14.4 millionin the third quarter of 2011.