Current News

by Thomas D Anderson, Jennifer Morrison and William Bohnyak Drivers impaired by opioids, cocaine, marijuana and other drugs pose a threat to every Vermonter and visitor that drive our highways. On July 1, Vermont will become the ninth state to legalize recreational marijuana. Even proponents of legalization acknowledge that driving while high on marijuana is unwise and unsafe. There also is universal agreement on the need to protect Vermonters from impaired drivers. Legislators, both pro- and anti-legalization, recognize there is a solemn responsibility to ensure the motoring public is protected from irresponsible individuals who take drugs and then get behind the wheel of a car.

by Eileen Peltier In 2015, we, Downstreet Housing and Community Development, made the conscious decision to invest in an advanced wood heating system for a new housing project in Barre. The investment was made based on both financial and environmental considerations; a decision that continues to benefit us today. Currently, the Vermont legislature is considering a sales tax exemption on these types of systems, and we believe that if you want to support Vermont’s working lands, local tradespeople, and lower energy prices, this is a positive step forward.

Downstreet Housing in Barre. Courtesy photo.

Vermont Business Magazine Casella Waste Systems, Inc (NASDAQ:CWST), a regional solid waste, recycling and resource management services company, today reported its financial results for the three month period ended March 31, 2018. In addition, the Company reaffirms its revenues, Adjusted EBITDA, and Normalized Free Cash Flow guidance ranges for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018.

Highlights for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018:

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont distinguished itself Wednesday with the signing of H906, which allows the automatic licensure of servicemembers in particular fields. This bill is unique, as it establishes direct pathways to civilian licensure in certain high-demand fields for those who have obtained certain Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) designations in the armed services.

Governor Phil Scott proposed the initiative as part of his workforce expansion plan, working closely with the Vermont National Guard, Departments of Motor Vehicles and Health, Division of Fire Safety and the Secretary of State’s Office.

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power is gearing up to safely respond to any outages, after forecasters predict possible powerful thunderstorms and potentially damaging wind gusts which could take down trees and power lines Thursday and Friday. GMP has lined up external crews to add to GMP’s own field force. Forecasters say possible strong thunderstorms will hit mainly Windham and Bennington Counties late today, and there is a potential for damaging wind gusts if any of these thunderstorms become severe. Forecasters say another round of thunderstorms Friday afternoon could have more widespread impacts across Vermont.

Adding to the potential for outages is a high wind event that is predicted to hit Vermont Friday night after thunderstorms move out of the area. Forecasters say wind gusts could be 40 to 50 MPH along the slopes of the Green Mountains with some above 60 MPH over the summits Green Mountains.

Vermont Business Magazine and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce have announced the three finalists for the Deane C Davis Outstanding Business of the Year Award: City Market, Kalow Technologies and Vermont Mutual Insurance Group. One of these impressive finalists will be named the Deane C Davis Outstanding Vermont Business of the Year 2017 on Thursday, May 24th at an awards presentation at the Vermont Chamber Business Expo’s opening ceremony at 9:45 am. The Vermont Business Expo will take place all day at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel Burlington.

Vermont Business Magazine Jennifer Mathews, PhD, has been named the Associate Dean for the ACPHS Vermont Campus; the campus opened in Colchester in 2009 and remains home to the only Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program in the state. As Associate Dean, Dr. Mathews will serve as the Senior Academic Officer and Administrative Officer of the campus. Dr. Mathews will also have an appointment as Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power and Alderman’s Chevrolet of Rutland are teaming up to provide General Motors employee discount pricing to GMP customers on the all-electric Chevy Bolt and electric-hybrid Chevy Volt – providing thousands of dollars in savings. “At GMP, we are committed to helping customers reduce carbon and save money, and this program hits both of those targets,” said Mary Powell, GMP’s president and CEO. “We’re excited to partner with Alderman’s to spread the word on the Bolt, a sleek, fun car to drive with a range of more than 200 miles on a charge, making it practical, clean and economical.”

Vermont Business Magazine Under normal weather conditions, New England is expected to have sufficient resources to meet peak consumer demand for electricity this summer, according to ISO New England Inc, the operator of the region’s bulk power system and wholesale electricity markets. Tight supply margins could develop if forecasted peak system conditions associated with extreme hot and humid weather occur. If this happens, ISO New England will take steps to manage New England’s electricity supply and demand and maintain power system reliability.

Vermont Business Magazine The Burlington Electric Department, joined by Mayor Miro Weinberger and in partnership with Local Motion and four Burlington bike shops – Old Spokes Home, North Star Sports, Outdoor Gear Exchange, and Skirack – today launched a new electric bike (E-bike) rebate program for the Burlington community that provides Burlington Electric customers $200 off the purchase of an E-bike or a conversion kit, which can be installed on many conventional bicycles. The program, believed to be only the second utility E-bike rebate program in the nation, encourages Burlington Electric customers to seek alternative transportation to displace fossil fuel burning automobile trips when commuting to work, visiting friends and neighbors, and running errands.

Vermont Business Magazine On May 1, 2018, the Vermont Public Utility Commission issued its required update of the state’s net-metering program. The rapid growth of the program and inclusion of large solar projects has put upward pressure on rates for all electric customers. For this reason, the PUC has lowered the incentives one-cent for the typical residential net metering customer and another cent for larger-sized installations. The reductions will take place over two years. For most customers, these reductions will be partially offset by a simultaneous increase in the statewide blended residential electric rate (resulting in a net reduction of one-half cent for all residential systems next year 18.9 cents to 18.4 cents and 1.5 cents for the bigger systems 16.9 cents to 15.4 cents).

Vermont Business Magazine On May 1, H624, an act relating to the protection of personal voter information in the statewide voter checklist, was passed by the Legislature. H624, sponsored by Rep Dylan Giambatista of Essex Junction, creates additional protections for Vermont voter’s private data contained in the statewide voter checklist. Secretary of State Jim Condos has issued the following statement, praising passage of the bill.