Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Drivers will be facing the most expensive July 4th at the pump ever this year, though the news isn’t all bad. According to GasBuddy, the leading fuel savings platform saving North American drivers the most money on gas, U.S. gas prices are expected to drop 10 to 20 cents by Independence Day. After months of fireworks at the pump, culminating in a $5 national average recorded for the first time just weeks ago, drivers will feel a bit of relief, though many were already determined to get out on the road despite high prices. Gas prices on average fell 6 cents per gallon in Vermont since last week to $4.98 and fell 8 cents nationally to $4.93. This is still about $2 per gallon higher than one year ago.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Education has committed $200,000 to support two national refugee non-profits with a presence in Vermont to ensure that refugee students and their families are provided with access to summer programs and community mentoring. The AOE will also leverage an existing partnership with the WIDA Consortium to offer targeted professional learning opportunities for teachers serving Afghan students and other multilingual newcomers. As of spring 2022, Vermont is now home to over 100 school-aged Afghan children and more families are expected to arrive in summer 2022. The AOE will use $200,000 in federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds to create the Afghan Refugee Partnership Grant.

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont announced a broad, new initiative today that will deliver innovative, transdisciplinary, evidence-based healthcare practices to our region. Funded by a $5.5 million grant from the Bernard Osher Foundation, the Osher Center for Integrative Health at UVM will dramatically advance whole patient care, research, education, and health policy centered on treatments that incorporate proven methods from a variety of fields complementing allopathic medicine.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine As the independent administrator of Vermont's and New England’s wholesale electricity markets, ISO New England runs an annual forward capacity auction to ensure sufficient resources will be available to meet the region’s expected future reliability needs. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Office of Enforcement (FERC OE) is currently investigating whether there were violations of ISO’s tariff and a fraudulent scheme related to said violations by a project developer that participated in a previous auction. While FERC OE has alleged that the project developer engaged in a fraudulent scheme to deceive the ISO and the market, and failed to provide the ISO with complete and relevant information, this investigation also includes the ISO’s role in administering the capacity market. ISO New England said it has cooperated fully with the investigation.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, VPR (Vermont Public Radio) and Vermont PBS have changed their name and brand to Vermont Public. This reflects the unified mission of the state's public media organization, which officially merged last year. “Our new name pays homage to our past while signaling a new mission for the future,” said President and CEO, Scott Finn. “Across TV, radio, and digital platforms, we will engage a broader and more diverse audience, through stories that bring our community together.”

Vermont Business Magazine One Inc, the leading digital payments network for the insurance industry, announced today that Union Mutual, a Vermont-based personal and commercial insurance company, has selected the One Inc Digital Payments Platform to provide both inbound and outbound digital payments. This is part of an overall effort to streamline and transform the carrier's customer experience. First established in 1874, Union Mutual Companies have been a quality insurance provider for nearly 150 years. From what started as a fire insurance company in Vermont, the carrier has expanded regionally with several personal and commercial product lines available. Union Mutual will continue to focus on maintaining long-term relationships with its policyholders and agents.

Vermont Business Magazine After three months of intense focus, camaraderie and both virtual and in-person learning, The DeltaClimeVT Energy 2022 climate economy business accelerator announces Halitra as the winner. Sixteen entrepreneurs from seven start-ups focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions by enabling the acceleration of electrification graduated from the DeltaClimeVT Energy 2022 climate economy business accelerator during an awards ceremony at Burlington Beer Company June 16. At the event, each company presented their final pitch and shared their plans to scale their start-up companies.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department says three new hunting or trapping related laws passed by the Vermont Legislature during the 2022 session are going into effect. Under the new laws: hunting coyotes with dogs and training dogs to hunt coyotes will be temporarily banned in Vermont starting July 1; the retrieval and use of game and furbearing animals by hunters and trappers are now required with some exceptions; and the Fish and Wildlife Department is beginning a process with the Fish and Wildlife Board and Legislature to identify and implement new best management practices for trapping in the state.

Vermont Business Magazine Earthkeep Farmcommon is rolling out its first-of-the-season farmer’s market event, “Farm Night at Earthkeep Farmcommon,” on Thursday, June 23, from 4-7 p.m. at 1211 Ethan Allen Highway. Formerly known as Nordic Nite Out, the event features goods produced sustainably on-site by the Earthkeep Farmers’ Collective. Members of the collective and fellow Vermont food vendors will come together to offer diverse, organic and locally made products every Thursday from 4-7 p.m. from June 23-Oct. 13.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is providing new maps on its website of lands it owns along streambanks. Fish and Wildlife staff have developed maps for Streambank Management Areas for over 200 parcels spanning nearly 100 miles of streambanks statewide. These newly created maps depict streambank areas providing public access for perpetuity. A user-friendly overview map has narratives describing the stream sections and their associated fisheries.

Vermont Business Magazine Few birding experiences rival hearing the haunting call of the loon or seeing them glide by in protected coves on a lake. However, for the birds’ protection, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is asking boaters and anglers to enjoy loons from a safe distance this summer. Morin also reminds people to avoid lead fishing tackle. Every year Vermont loons die from lead poisoning after swallowing fishing tackle.

Vermont Business Magazine With spring and summer cleaning underway, the Department of Environmental Conservation wants to remind and encourage Vermonters to follow a few guidelines for on-premise or backyard open burning. Burning materials from spring cleanup can release harmful pollution that can impact neighboring properties. By following these guidelines, Vermonters can help reduce air pollution, avoid nuisance impacts, and protect human and environmental health.