Current News

by Tim Briglin (D-Thetford Center) Chair of the House Energy & Technology Committee Building more resilient communities and transitioning to locally-sourced clean energy isn’t just good climate policy, it’s good economic policy. Vermont has made strides toward a green energy economy, but there’s much more to do. The Global Warming Solutions Act holds our state accountable to achieving targeted greenhouse gas emission reductions, supporting rural resilience to climate change, and ensuring that the benefits of a clean energy economy are broadly shared.

Burlington Department of Public Works We would like to share a general update as people are preparing for their day about the precautionary boil water advisory that has been issued through most of Burlington and a very limited part of South Burlington. A water main break on a 16” (large) main at 339 Pine Street led to a depressurization in a significant part of our distribution system. To comply with recent state requirements and out of an abundance of caution, we have issued this precautionary boil water advisory.

Vermont Business Magazine Sugarbush Resort, in partnership with Protect Our Winters (POW), is hosting an open forum on climate change and related issues facing the snow sports industry. The forum, titled The Future of Snow, is scheduled for 6:00 PM on Saturday, February 22^nd in the Gate House Lodge at Lincoln Peak.

by Tom Hughes Later this spring, Governor Phil Scott will have the opportunity to strengthen the economy, promote equity, and protect the environment by joining the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI). If Gov. Scott refuses to join our regional neighbors in the fight against climate pollution, it is very likely that Vermonters will pay higher prices for fossil fuels without receiving any of TCI’s investment benefits.

Lori Fisher, Executive Director, Lake Champlain Committee In this issue of Enews we share some recent legislative initiatives (including a call to action on climate change for Vermont members), introduce you to Director of Science & Water Programs Lauren Sopher (read her Lake Look column about Lakeshore Grasslands below) and let you know of some funding that will assist our Trail and field projects. Please read on for those updates along with clean lake tips, nature notes and water news from near and far.

Vermont Business Magazine Four Seasons Sotheby's International Realty has announced that it again retained the #1 Ranking for Luxury Property sales in Vermont. The company reported its results based on its ongoing success with residential sales priced over $1 million. According to Vermont multiple listing service data, Four Seasons Sotheby's International Realty closed 38 transaction sides totaling $64 million in property value.

The statistics also show that the company held a very substantial lead over the #2 participant in this highly competitive market segment. With luxury sales performance exceeding that of its next closest competitor by over 33% in dollar volume, the company continues its leadership role in both listing and selling high value homes in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine VGS (Vermont Gas Systems) today filed an overall rate increase request of 2.9 percent beginning in November 2020. The proposal, which needs approval from the Public Utility Commission (PUC), would mean the average residential customer would pay just under $3 more per month. VGS' rates are approximately 6 percent lower than the New England average.

Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation announced today that Bennington College Corporation will pay $15,750 for mismanaging hazardous waste on its Bennington campus in violation of Vermont’s Hazardous Waste Management Regulations. DEC inspected the Bennington College campus in May 2019 and observed violations of Vermont’s Hazardous Waste Management Regulations related to proper signage, storage and labeling of hazardous waste materials in different locations across campus.

Vermont Business Magazine Weekly unemployment claims have shown a slow, steady decline since the beginning of the year, after the wild swings typical of the holidays. Initial claims for the week of February 8, 2020, were 475, which is typical for this time of year. Claims fell 6 from last week and were 25 fewer than they were at this time last year.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont), vice chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has announced new federal funding for research on the region’s forest ecosystem and economy. The Northeastern States Research Cooperative (NSRC), first created by Leahy in the 1998 Farm Bill, received $2 million in the fiscal year 2020 appropriations bill for research on the Northern Forest and its 26 million acres of working landscape.

​Vermont Business Magazine Heritage Aviation, an employee-owned aviation services company, was recently awarded over $13,000 through the Vermont Training Program (VTP). The grant funding will be used to support Heritage Aviation’s professional development program, grow its maintenance department, and promote safety. Those that are enrolled in its maintenance apprenticeship program (MAP) will be given the opportunity to obtain an airframe and powerplant (A&P) certification. This will provide a new career path for these employees and allows them to “learn and earn” the certification instead of going back to school.