Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), along with Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), on Thursday introduced a joint resolution in the Senate to direct the removal of U.S. Armed Forces from unauthorized involvement in the war between the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthis in Yemen. The resolution, which is supported by a bipartisan group of more than 100 members of Congress in the House, is considered privileged in the Senate and can receive a vote on the floor as soon as ten calendar days following introduction.

Vermont Business Magazine The affiliate organizations that make up The University of Vermont Health Network have made changes to their board governance structure to enable deeper integration of the health system, support the Network’s ability to become more nimble and strengthen alignment with its population health centered mission. This is a simple board reorganization only and does not affect operations or staffing at the affiliate hospitals and health organizations in Vermont and Upstate New York.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported July 2 that COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are still considered "Low." Total cases for the week fell slightly, while hospitalizations declined. There were 12 deaths in June attributed to COVID so far after 32 in May. May saw an increase in fatalities from April and March. June had the fewest COVID fatalities since last July 2021 (2). As of July 12, there have been 4 deaths from COVID in Vermont. While new COVID-19 cases were down only slightly, hospitalizations were down about 40 percent.

​Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s Department of Public Safety announces a new public safety initiative, called SURVIVERMONT. This program is a community caretaking initiative created to educate and empower Vermonters with actions they can take to protect themselves and family members if they are confronted with an active shooter or violent threat situation. Supported by a grant from the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, SURVIVERMONT combines three easy-to-remember concepts from established federal public safety programs: See Something, Say Something; Run, Hide and Fight; and Stop the Bleed.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott has appointed John Beling as commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Beling has served as interim commissioner since April 15, and as DEC’s general counsel since 2018. Beling replaces Peter Walke, who served as DEC commissioner for two years. Beling will now lead DEC’s 300 employees working to promote clean air, clean water and healthy communities in Vermont. DEC is one of three departments in the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR), along with the Fish and Wildlife Department and the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation.

Vermont Business Magazine Énergir Inc announced Wednesday that Énergir, LP and Énergir Inc, together with their bank syndicate, have entered into a new credit agreement that provides for a $800 million secured revolving credit facility maturing on July 13, 2027. This new credit facility replaces the $800 million credit facility established on March 2, 2012 by Énergir Inc as borrower and Énergir, LP, as guarantor. Concurrently with the implementation of the Credit Agreement, Énergir, LP issued an information memorandum for the issuance of short-term promissory notes (also known as commercial paper) in an amount up to $800 million. Énergir, LP is the parent company of Green Mountain Power and Vermont Gas Systems.

Vermont Business Magazine Same Sun of Vermont announces the completion and commissioning of two ground-mounted solar arrays: a traditional array and a solar carport, designed in partnership with TimberHomes VT, located at The Royal Group, Inc. facility at 150 Woodstock Avenue. Rutland Mayor David Allaire will cut a ribbon at 10am on August 4th in celebration of this innovative project.

Vermont Business Magazine The American Forest Foundation (AFF), a national conservation organization that supports family woodland owners, and The Nature Conservancy (TNC), a global conservation organization, today announced their joint program, the Family Forest Carbon Program, is open for enrollment to rural woodlot owners with as little as 30 acres in Vermont and parts of eastern New York. The Family Forest Carbon Program provides annual payments to family and individual landowners with small forest holdings to implement scientifically proven climate-friendly forest practices that increase the carbon sequestered and stored on the land. In addition, the program provides expert consultation from foresters and creates a customized forest management plan for those who need one.

Vermont Business Magazine Encore Renewable Energy, a leading community scale solar and energy storage developer, has been named a 2022 Best for the World B Corp in recognition of its exceptional positive impact on its workers. Best for the World is a distinction granted to Certified B Corporations whose verified B Impact Scores in the five impact areas evaluated in the B Impact Assessment — community, customers, environment, governance, and workers — rank in the top 5% of all B Corps in their corresponding size group. Encore earned this honor because of employee-centered initiatives such as its nationally leading parental leave policy, deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice, prioritizing personal development and mental health both in and out of the office and fostering a positive and supportive workplace culture.

Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund The Vermont food system plan issue brief on bees and honey describes the value of bees in the production of food crops, along with the various threats to managed and wild bee populations. Bees contribute upwards of $24 billion to the U.S. economy each year, and Vermont is home to 14,553 hives producing 727,650 lbs of honey annually. However, Vermont bee populations and beekeepers are facing challenges. Stressors resulting in bee population decline include pests and pathogens, habitat destruction, and the use of pesticides. Bee loss directly affects biodiversity, food security, and the agricultural economy. Protecting the future of bee populations is necessary to maintain the productivity of pollinators and their contribution to Vermont’s food system and economy.

Vermont Business Magazine For over 10 years, Global Partners LP (Global) has donated grants to local schools throughout New England, New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland. These donations are through Global’s collaboration with ExxonMobil’s Educational Alliance Program. This year Global has committed $182,500 to 365 schools. The contribution will specifically help fund Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs. Global Partners has donated $3,500 to 7 schools to support student learning in Vermont.

by Jill Mazza Olson, Executive Director, VNAs of Vermont Late last month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its annual proposed Medicare home health payment rule for calendar year 2023. The news is grim. CMS is proposing a substantial cut to Medicare home health services effective on January 1, 2023. The VNAs of Vermont estimate that in Vermont, the proposed rule will amount to a 6.9 percent cut to rural home health agencies in Vermont compared to 2022 rates. Those few agencies in Vermont that are considered “urban” will see a 6.3 percent cut.