Current News

by Michele Morris, the Director of Outreach and Communications at Chittenden Solid Waste District Single-stream recycling has been known by many names: “all in one,” “commingled,” “No Sort” and “Zero Sort,” but all of them mean the same thing: You don’t have to sort your cardboard, glass bottles, aluminum cans, and other recyclables into separate bins. Just put them all in the same bin or cart, and the single-stream system will sort them for you.

by Jeff Wakefield, University of Vermont It’s been a whirlwind few months for Packetized Energy, the energy sector start-up spun off from a large Department of Energy project in 2016 by three UVM electrical engineering faculty, Paul Hines, Jeff Frolik and Mads Almassalkhi. After completing a pilot with Burlington Electric Department at the end of 2017, the company launched ambitious demonstration projects in January with Green Mountain Power and the Vermont Electric Cooperative that put its innovative technology to the test under real market conditions.

Vermont Business Magazine Always wanted to live in Vermont? Here's your chance to move to the Green Mountains—and live in a free, super-efficient smart home! Green Mountain Power (GMP), Naylor & Breen Builders, United Way of Rutland County, NBF Architects and Rutland Mayor Dave Allaire kicked off GMP's Rutland Innovation Home Contest, a national contest that will award one lucky family or individual a new, 1,500-square-foot fossil-free home in the heart of Central Vermont.

Along with the deed to a mortgage-free, energy-smart home complete with solar panels, air-source heat pumps, a Tesla Powerwall and a cutting-edge insulation package, the prize includes a local "concierge" to aid with job searches, business and personal contacts and free co-working space at GMP's Energy Innovation Center in downtown Rutland.

by Senator Bernie Sanders As a nation, Vermonters are ahead of the curve when it comes to energy efficiency and renewable energy. While many Vermonters have already taken steps to protect the environment and save money on their fuel bills, many others are considering installing solar panels, heat pumps, clean wood heat, geothermal energy, or making their homes and businesses more energy efficient.

There are many pro-environment and pro-consumer options out there, but sometimes it is hard to know which ones make the most sense for your family or business. That is why I am organizing an Energy Resource Fair and Town Meeting this Saturday, June 9, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., at Vermont Technical College in Randolph Center. The goal is to provide practical information for Vermonters from all income levels on how they can save money on their fuel bills and protect the environment by investing in energy efficiency and sustainable energy.

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity recently completed its first project in Essex Junction: a triplex built to one of Efficiency Vermont’s higher energy efficient standards. The home allows the new owners to live more comfortably and spend less on energy, all while building equity through homeownership.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Days are an annual invitation to visitors and Vermonters to explore, for free, Vermont’s excellent fishing, state parks, and historic culture. For the weekend of June 9-10, all Vermont State Parks day-use areas and all state-owned Historic Sites will be open at no charge. Saturday is free fishing day, the one day of the summer when anyone can fish in Vermont without a license. It’s also a day for history: the Vermont History Museum in Montpelier and the Vermont History Center in Barre will offer free admission on Saturday, June 9.

Vermont Business Magazine Since the 1960s, scientists at the University of Vermont have been documenting the decline of red spruce trees, casualties of the damage caused by acid rain on northeastern forests. But now, surprising new research shows that red spruce are making a comeback—and that a combination of reduced pollution mandated by the 1990 Amendments to the Clean Air Act and changing climate are behind the resurgence.

Vermont Business Magazine Gary S Thulander, president and general manager of the Woodstock Inn & Resort, has announced construction of the new Suicide Six Elemental Bike Park is underway with facilities scheduled to open in July. The Woodstock Inn & Resort, in partnership with Sinuosity: Flowing Trails, is constructing six miles of mountain biking trails that will be accessible via the Suicide Six Ski Area’s quad chairlift. With a variety of progressive terrain the bike park will offer fun for all ages and skill levels.

Vermont Business Magazine Many businesses would benefit from technical assistance and professional consulting services but they cannot afford it on their own. NCIC in St Johnsbury can help these projects come to fruition. Examples of technical assistance include; business coaching, energy efficiency audits/design, education and training, marketing and sales strategies, engineering and architectural reports, permitting assistance, finance and accounting and website development.

To be eligible, small businesses need to have five or fewer full time equivalent employees and a business owner household has to be income eligible. For example, a family of two the business owners household income would need to be less than $45,700. For a family of four, the business owners household income would need to be less than $57,100. If you qualify, please contact NCIC for more information and application materials.

Vermont Business Magazine Late Tuesday, the US House of Representatives unanimously approved legislation authored by Representative Peter Welch (D-VT) and Representative Richard Nolan (D-MN) that extends the North Country National Scenic Trail from Crown Point, NY into Addison County, linking it to the Appalachian National Scenic Trail via Vermont’s Long Trail.

Vermont Business Magazine Fourteen babies born at Vermont hospitals on May 29 will each receive $100 in a 529 college savings account from Vermont Student Assistance Corp. The Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems partners with VSAC, which administers Vermont’s 529 college savings plan, to help educate Vermont families about saving for college for their children.

Northwestern Medical Center and University of Vermont Medical Center both welcomed four babies while two babies were born at Central Vermont Medical Center, and one baby was born at Rutland Regional Medical Center, Porter Medical Center, Southwestern Vermont Medical Center and Gifford Medical Center.

Vermont Business Magazine Gifford Health Care’s Menig Nursing Home in Randolph Center earned deficiency-free surveys from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) of the Department of Health and Human Services after a site visit in May. The results make Menig the first nursing home in Vermont to complete a deficiency-free survey under new federal nursing home requirements.