Current News
by tim
Small improvement in April jobs and employment numbers
The Vermont Department of Labor has announced that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for April 2008 was 4.5 percent, down one-tenth of a point or essentially unchanged from March and up four-tenths of a point from a year ago.
"The combination of a small improvement in both Vermont's unemployment rate and job counts may indicate some stability in Vermont's labor market even in this period of economic slowdown." said Patricia Moulton Powden, commissioner of the Vermont Department of Labor. "This is especially good news for Vermont, because the national economy continued to lose jobs in April."
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Montpelier -- The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF) announced today that it has hired Netaka White as its new Biofuels Director. White was formerly the co-founder and Executive Director of the Vermont Biofuels Association (VBA), which recently merged with Renewable Energy Vermont.
"We are very pleased that Netaka has joined the VSJF staff," said the Funds Executive Director, Ellen Kahler. "He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the biofuels arena as well as program management to the Jobs Fund." Kahler went on to say that "had it not been for the efforts of Netaka White and the Board of the VBA, there would not be a growing biofuels industry in Vermont today. He has provided important technical assistance, education and outreach to help Vermonters learn about the use of biofuels and has taken the lead on many important market development projects in this arena, with an emphasis on sustainable production for local use."
by tim
Brookfield Floating Bridge Restricted to Pedestrian Use
MONTPELIER - The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) announced May 15, 2008, that the Brookfield Floating Bridge along Route 65 over Sunset Lake will be closed to all but pedestrian traffic for the foreseeable future.
VTrans closes the bridge to vehicular traffic each winter. When the Agency went to reopen the wooden bridge this spring, it showed a loss of buoyancy and settling into the water. The Agency determined it to be unsafe for vehicular traffic, but can remain open to pedestrian use.
The 330-foot bridge, which uses 380 flotation devices to remain on top of the water, was last reconstructed in 1978 using a combination of new wood as well as material from the preexisting structure, which dated back to 1936.
by tim
National Life Group Announces Major Solar Project
Montpelier, Vermont - National Life Group has announced that it will install 240 solar panels on the roof of its Montpelier headquarters in what will be one of the largest, if not the largest, solar electric installations in the state of Vermont.
The $500,000 project calls for the installation of 240 300-watt solar panels on the roof of the financial services company. The 77 kW photovoltaic (PV) system will generate enough electricity to power 13 average Vermont homes.
The project will be financed in part through a $200,000 grant from the state of Vermont's Clean Energy Development Fund, administered by the state Department of Public Service.
Thomas H. MacLeay, National Life's chairman, president and chief executive officer, said the project is a critical element of the company's years-long green initiative.
by tim
Secretary of Administration Smith retiring, Lunderville to take over
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State Awards over $2 Million for Clean Energy Projects
Montpelier, Vermont - The State of Vermont announced today that the Department of Public Service (DPS) will award $2.28 million from the Clean Energy Development Fund (CEDF) for projects throughout the state. The goal of the CEDF is to increase the development and deployment of combined heat and power (CHP) technologies and renewable energy generation.
"Vermonters are innovators, whether in the workplace or in the home," said Governor James Douglas. "My administration has worked diligently with stakeholders and legislators to encourage the development of clean and renewable sources of energy. Although we are fortunate to have a very clean and reliable energy portfolio, we can always do more. Renewable energy resources will continue to play an important role in Vermont's Energy Future," Governor Douglas said.
by tim
Temporary Delays Planned for Interstate 91
MONTPELIER – The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) beginning May 19 will conduct a series of temporary delays along Interstate 91 just south of the I-89/I-91 interchange so that work crews can set beams for a new bridge that will cross over the roadway.
The bridge is being constructed by the Greater Upper Valley Solid Waste District, who is erecting the structure so trucks can access a new landfill from Route 5 in Hartford.
Delays along the Interstate will affect travel both north and southbound for two days and last about 15 minutes each. The first closure will begin at 9 a.m. Monday, May 19. Motorists wishing not to be delayed should seek alternate routes.
The schedule is as follows:
· Monday, May 19 at 9:00 a.m. Northbound.
· Monday, May 19 at 10:00 a.m. Northbound.
· Monday, May 19 at 11:00 a.m. Southbound.
· Monday, May 19 at 1:00 p.m. Southbound.
by tim
Green Mountain Power Proposes "Solar Rates''
to Spur Vermont's Solar Energy Market
COLCHESTER, Vt. --- Green Mountain Power Corp on May 15, 2008, announced a groundbreaking new approach to accelerate the adoption of solar energy by Vermont homes and businesses.
In a request for a new service filed with the Vermont Public Service Board today, Green Mountain Power proposed the adoption of solar net metered electric rates, which are designed to make solar energy an important part of Vermont's mix of cleaner energy sources.
Green Mountain Power Chief Operating Officer Mary Powell said renewable energy sources like solar must play an increasing part in Vermont's energy future.
"This proposal will make solar energy more attractive to homeowners and businesses in Vermont," Ms. Powell said. "We are doing everything we can to encourage the adoption of solar energy. It is good for Vermont economically and environmentally."
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Transportation Enhancement Grants Now Available
MONTPELIER – The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) is now accepting funding applications for 2009 Transportation Enhancement projects.
The Agency will award about $3 million to municipalities, non-profits, and State and Federal agencies that can be used to enhance Vermont’s transportation system in twelve broad categories.
Grant awards will be made in the $10,000 to $300,000 range. Projects require a 20 percent local match and must have a strong transportation connection, but they cannot be roadway projects or maintenance activities.
“All towns, cities and non-profit agencies operate with limited financial resources,” said VTrans Secretary Neale Lunderville. “The transportation enhancement grant program is a great opportunity for them to acquire funding for projects that otherwise they could not afford.”
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Leahy Ensures That Vermont
Is A Big Winner In New Farm Bill –
Major Boosts For State’s Dairy,
Organic,
Anti-Hunger And Lake Champlain Priorities
WASHINGTON (Wednesday, May 14) -- Vermont’s clout in agriculture
policy again is paying big dividends as Congress races to finish work on a new
bipartisan five-year Farm Bill. The House Wednesday passed the newly
negotiated Farm Bill by a veto-proof vote of 318 to 106, and the Senate has set
its vote on the bill for Thursday. The Senate is also expected to pass
the bill with more than enough votes to override a threatened presidential
veto.
The new Farm Bill advances key Vermont agriculture, anti-hunger and
environmental priorities championed by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), the most
senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee of either party, who was a
principal architect and negotiator of the bill.
by tim
Welch's bill to reduce fuel prices passes House
Bill compels President Bush to suspend shipments to Strategic Petroleum Reserve
Washington, DC -- The U.S. House passed legislation authored by Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) Tuesday requiring the Bush Administration to temporarily suspend shipments to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) as a short-term action to lower gas prices for consumers.
The Strategic Petroleum Reserve Fill Suspension and Consumer Protection Act of 2008, H.R. 6022, sponsored by Welch, Nick Lampson (D-TX) and Edward Markey (D-MA), directs President Bush to suspend shipments to the SPR through the end of the year or until prices drop below $75 per barrel. This action could reduce gas prices by 5 to 24 cents per gallon, according to experts.
The legislation cleared the U.S. House as gas prices reached a record high of $3.73 per gallon.
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The U.S. Army Joint Munition and Lethality Life Cycle Management Command has awarded General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products a contract to develop a Lightweight .50 Caliber (12.7mm) Machine Gun (LW50MG) weapon system. The $9 million contract will fund development of the gun and system components such as the tripod, vehicle adapter assembly and Blank Firing Adapter (BFA). General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).
The LW50MG has significantly less recoil and is lighter than current weapons. It will be easier for warfighters to carry and will provide them with the potential for increased accuracy and lethality in combat.
Production and fabrication work will be performed at the General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products facility in Saco, Maine, with development work performed at the company's technology center in Burlington, Vt.