Current News

​Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Public Service Department on Friday released its Final Comprehensive Energy Plan for Vermont’s Energy Future. The Plan draws on input provided by Vermonters who shared their insights over the past year in public hearings and online events. Vermonters provided direct feedback on the Draft plan issued in November which helped to shape the final product. In the Electric Sector, meet 100% of energy needs from carbon-free resources by 2032, with at least 75% from renewable energy; in the Transportation Sector, meet 10% of energy needs from renewable energy by 2025, and 45% by 2040; in the Thermal Sector (heating), meet  30% of energy needs from renewable energy by 2025, and 70% by 2042.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today is reporting 2,217 cases of COVID-19 for Saturday (1,722 on Friday). Hospitalizations set a new record for the second straight day with 115. State officials have been concerned by the impact on the health care system. Already, the University of Vermont Medical Center has gone into emergency staffing mode.

by C.B. Hall, Vermont Business Magazine Burlington-based Vermont Rail System (VRS), the Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) and CSX Transportation, one of the nation's largest railroads, have reached an agreement on terms of a pending merger between CSX and Pan Am Railways (PAR). On the basis of the agreement, both AOT and VRS will withdraw objections to the proposed consolidation if the federal Surface Transportation Board, which has the final say over the matter, incorporates the agreement's terms as conditions to its approval of the merger.

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power (GMP) is urging safety for customers as forecasters say a strong regional storm will reach Vermont early in the morning Monday, bringing gusty winds and a mix of precipitation including heavy wet snow that could possibly take down trees and powerlines.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Story Lab announces its winter labs are open for registration. The online storytelling trainings are designed to help nonprofits kick off their 2022 communications and development. The 2-hour interactive labs are free to nonprofit professionals, thanks to a generous foundation gift. Space is limited to 25 people in each class. (“Introduction to Storytelling” is offered at two times due to the popularity of this class.)

Vermont Business Magazine V/T Commercial, a commercial real estate and business brokerage company in Burlington, VT, announced the following real estate transactions on Jan 14, 2022:

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Corrections is announcing 38 incarcerated individuals and nine staff members tested positive for COVID-19 at the Northeast Correctional Complex (NECC) in St. Johnsbury during testing conducted January 13. The incarcerated individuals reside in the same building as the 11 prior positives, the first of whom was confirmed to have the virus in a January 8 test.

Leonine Public Affairs The second week of the 2022 legislative session started with big news relating to the state’s pension funds. On Monday, the Pension Benefits, Design, and Funding Task Force unanimously approved recommendations to fix the state's underfunded pension system. The Task Force includes members from the legislature, the Scott Administration, labor organizations and the Office of the State Treasurer. The Task Force agreement would require the state to make a $200 million payment toward the system’s debt and use 50 percent of future general fund surpluses to support the fund. Member contributions would also increase and benefit plans would be scaled back. The changes would not affect current retirees and beneficiaries.

Vermont Business Magazine The Sage Street Mill’s Multi-sector Makers Market in North Bennington has been awarded a $4,500 grant from Bennington College and the Andrew Mellon Foundation to further support its mission to increase diversity, knowledge, and access to affordable locally grown organic food in North Bennington. The market welcomes folks of all ages, incomes, and orientations, and offers locally grown organic produce, meats, eggs and hand-crafted goods as well as hands-on demos, workshops, and exhibitions. It began in the summer of 2021 with the goal of empowering various local businesses and farmers who got affected by COVID and providing the community with a new alternative culturally diverse venue to sell locally grown organic food, handmade goods, as well as foster collaboration between local activists and leaders working in the sectors of green energy, organic farming and food, arts and wellness.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today is reporting 1,722 cases of COVID-19 for Friday (2,295 on Thursday). Hospitalizations set a new record today with 102 (up two); the previous record of 101 was set January 10. ICU stays, which also had been elevated, were 27 (up three). The one-day record there was set December 7, 2021, (31).The record daily high was set January 7, with 2,975 cases of COVID-19. While the fatality rate has slowed, there were still four deaths reported today for a statewide total of 497.

Vermont Business Magazine State revenues rebound as consumer taxes strengthen, Molly Gray, Becca Balint to run for Congress, Unemployment rate falls two-tenths to 2.6% in November, Vermont Climate Council adopts CAP, Governor launches $5M program to rehabilitate housing stock, Public-private effort to accelerate fiber broadband construction, Harsh weather could pose challenges to New England’s power system this winter, and more.