Current News

by Mike Faher vtdigger.org Entergy can eliminate a direct emergency data link between Vermont Yankee and the federal government, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has decided. By unanimous vote on Thursday, NRC commissioners denied Vermont’s appeal of Entergy’s deactivation of the Emergency Response Data System – also known as the ERDS – at the Vernon plant. While state officials argued that the system is important given the risk of radiological accidents from spent fuel stored at the plant, the NRC says the data system is required only at facilities with operating reactors. Vermont Yankee ceased producing power December 29.

Recchia: Entergy's deal with New Hampshire over emergency funding a way to 'put a stick in our eye'

by Mike Faher/The Commons, Brattleboro If Entergy has its way, Vermont Yankee’s emergency programs — and the funding that goes with them — are due for a major downsizing in the first half of next year. At a September 24 meeting in Brattleboro, several state officials argued that the company’s emergency commitments to surrounding towns and to the state should continue at least for the next several years. Those programs are necessary, they say, to protect public health and the environment around the Vernon plant, where most spent nuclear fuel is stored in a pool in the reactor building.

Vermont Business Magazine Weekly unemployment claims in Vermont last week fell below 300 for the first time in memory. Claims are running at their lowest levels since 1999. The graph below shows total August claims since 1977 (historic weekly data not available). The graph also indicates how severe the two major recessions were during this period, with the recession of the early 1980s far exceeding in Vermont the Great Recession of 2008-2009. The worst months during this 38-year period were December 1981 with 9,369 initial claims and December 1982, with 9,592. The next worst was December 2001, with 9,173 claims, following the downturn caused by the 9/11 attacks. The worst month during the Great Recession was 8,636 in December 2008. December 2014 had 6,637 claims.

Vermont Business Magazine Al Gore, the 45^th vice president of the United States, chairman of the Climate Reality Project, cofounder and chairman of Generation Investment Management and Nobel Peace Prize recipient, will speak at the University of Vermont’s Ira Allen Chapel on Tuesday, October 6 at 10:15 am. Gore will present “The Climate Crisis and the Case for Hope,” his slideshow presentation discussing the urgency of the climate crisis and the solutions we have available to meet this challenge. This event is hosted by Seventh Generation and The Energy Action Seminar/Clean Energy Fund at the University of Vermont.

Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc (Nasdaq: NXST) announced today that Craig Marrs has been named Vice President and General Manager of WFFF-TV (FOX) and associated digital and mobile services of MyChamplainValley.com, which serves the Burlington, VT and Plattsburg, NY markets (DMA #98). He will also oversee WVNY-TV (ABC) through a joint operating agreement with Mission Broadcasting. Mr. Marrs will assume his new responsibilities immediately and will report to Theresa Underwood, Senior Vice President and Regional Manager for Nexstar Broadcasting.

Vermont Business Magazine NBT Bank, based in New York with branches in Vermont, announced today that it has acquired Third Party Administrators, Inc, a retirement plan services company located in Bedford, NH. The business provides administrative services for 401(k), profit sharing and defined benefit plans for over 700 businesses as well as Section 125 administration. TPA, Inc will operate as a stand-alone business, retaining its staff, business name and location. Neil Tullis will continue in his role as president of TPA, Inc.

Vermont Business Magazine Mayor Miro Weinberger today announced that the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation will partner with the City of Burlington on an 18-month engagement to improve conditions for entrepreneurs in Burlington and study the results of this effort. In collaboration with the City’s Community & Economic Development Office (CEDO) and other community partners supporting Burlington's entrepreneurial growth, the Kauffman Foundation will bring a combination of up to $500,000 in Burlington-specific grants, technical assistance, and research to strengthen the City’s capacity to support entrepreneurs who are starting and growing employer companies in our community.

Vermont Business Magazine With Diaper Need Awareness Week (Sept. 28 - Oct. 4) under way, Seventh Generation, a leading household and personal care company, today celebrated the culmination of its successful diaper promotion with Whole Foods Market and Baby Buggy. For every pack of Seventh Generation Free & Clear diapers purchased at Whole Foods Market between May 1 - September 30, 2015, Seventh Generation donated a pack of its newborn or size one diapers to Baby Buggy, a national nonprofit that provides families with children in need across the country with essential gear, clothing, products and services. Over the past five months, a total of 2.5 million diapers have been dispersed nationwide to families in need through Baby Buggy and Good360.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Public Service Department announces the launch of a new website to help Vermont home owners learn about and access the Department’s Heat Saver Loan. More than $1 million of energy saving projects have been financed using Heat Saver Loans since the program officially launched in October 2014. The Public Service Department, Efficiency Vermont, Opportunities Credit Union and VSECU are working together to help Vermonters prepare for the upcoming heating season. As Vermonters prepare to button up their homes and replace or improve their heating systems, the recently launched HeatSaverLoan.com website has all the program details to help homeowners learn how to finance qualified home energy projects.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Peter Shumlin, representatives from Vermont’s insurance carriers, and officials and staff from Vermont Health Connect (VHC) gathered today in Montpelier to provide an update on the health insurance marketplace’s progress. The governor announced that the technology upgrade necessary for a smooth open enrollment has been delivered and tested and will be deployed starting this evening; the backlog of change of circumstance cases has been cleared; VHC is now operating at a vastly improved customer service level for change requests; and customers will be able to report many changes online starting Monday. Meeting those milestones is consistent with the schedule laid out by the Governor in March 2015 and in legislation passed later in the spring.

Vermont Business Magazine It is getting easier to charge an electric vehicle in Chittenden County, thanks to a partnership between Essex Outlets and EuroWest Properties and Green Mountain Power. GMP is installing a new NRG EVgo Freedom Station for electric vehicles at the Essex Outlets, one of the first retail centers in Vermont to host one. Construction will begin September 8 and will be available soon after.

“This is part of our commitment announced in June to build a comprehensive fast charging network across the state, increasing Vermont’s energy independence and contributing to cleaner air and lower carbon emissions,” said Dorothy Schnure, GMP spokesperson. “We are so pleased to work with Essex Outlets to host this site where so many people shop and work. These chargers represent the best in fast charging technology and will help us to continue to deliver clean, cost-effective and reliable power.”

Vermont Business Magazine In conjunction with National Manufacturing Day/Month, several Vermont firms will have open houses: October 2, 2015, Maple Landmark Woodcraft will be hosting students, lawmaker(s), and community members for factory tours. This event is part of a nationwide effort to draw greater attention to the outstanding opportunities a career in manufacturing can provide as well as promote the pursuit of skills which lead to a long-term career that offers security and growth.