Current News

The Public Service Department Wednesday announced the availability of the final report from its two-year “Total Energy Study” (or “TES”). This study examines how Vermont can achieve its greenhouse gas emission reduction and renewable energy goals through modeled combinations of technology deployment and novel policy structures. The report concludes that these goals are both achievable and affordable.

“I am pleased that this very thorough study shows we can meet both our climate and energy goals while not only keeping Vermont’s economy strong, but also while enhancing the segment of our economy that is deploying renewable resources throughout the state” said Christopher Recchia, Commissioner of the Vermont Public Service Department. “It shows we are on the right track with our policy of advancing Vermont-based efficiency and renewable resources for our energy security, economy and our environment” he added.

The Office of Health Care Reform today released the second in a series of videos designed to raise awareness about the current health care financing system in Vermont. The video shows how for some Vermonters, monthly health care premium costs can eat up over 10 percent of their yearly income. And that’s before co-pays, deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs are taken into account.

“Health care is expensive and the way we currently fund it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense,” said Lawrence Miller, Chief of Health Care Reform. “Over the coming weeks we look forward to having a conversation about some of the adverse consequences of the current funding system and how we can do better.”

Source: State of Vermont 12.10.2014

Vermont Business Magazine The board of directors of the Vermont-NEA, the state’s largest union, has authorized a donation of $12,200 to the unions representing 2,000 Fairpoint Communications workers in northern New England who have been on strike for nearly two months. FairPoint has implemented a plan to realign benefit packages with non-union workers and to give itself the ability to hire non-union workers under certain conditions. The unions have agreed to some benefit concessions. Non-binding arbitration in November failed to resolve the issue or move it closer to a resolution. Political pressure also has been unsuccessful. The contract with unionized workers expired last summer.

Green Mountain Power crews worked through the night restoring power to more than 34,000 customers, but 16,600 remain without power at 12:30 pm (SEE TABLE BELOW). New outages continue to occur Wednesday morning, as the heavy snow weighs down tree branches onto power lines, causing significant damage to the electrical system. As GMP responds to the current storm, another one is heading to Vermont today, bringing the likelihood of additional outages and longer restoration times.

“Our dedicated crews are working around the clock to get the lights on as quickly as possible. This storm hit really hard, causing massive damage to the system, breaking many poles that require lengthy repair to reset and lines that need to be re-strung,” said Dorothy Schnure, GMP spokesperson. “Our advance preparation served our customers well, allowing us to restore power to many, and with daylight and fresh crews we will ramp up the response even more.”

Burlington International Airport becomes even more international when Porter Airlines resumes its seasonal service from Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport on December 14, 2014. The service between Burlington and Toronto will continue through the winter season until April 5, 2015. This is Porter’s fourth year flying to Burlington, a popular destination for Canadian passengers looking to enjoy a season on the slopes. In turn, Vermonters can enjoy an easy getaway to a cosmopolitan Canadian city. The schedule of two weekly roundtrip options will increase to four options from February 13-April 5 to meet increased travel demand during the school break period.

Vermont was awarded $7.3 million in what is expected to be a $33.4 million, four-year federal grant for pre-kindergarten programs at public schools and Head Start agencies throughout the state. Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont), Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vermont) and Governor Peter Shumlin (D) announced the grant today.

Sanders, a member of the Senate education committee, worked with the US Department of Education, the congressional delegation and the Shumlin administration to secure the funding to operate the Pre-K program.

“At a time when working families are struggling to find quality and affordable child care, this grant is a big boost for Vermont,” Sanders said. “The grant will help Vermont lead the nation in early-childhood education as we better prepare our kids for school and the challenges and opportunities of life.”

Food companies from across the United States are joining the legal battle in defense of a new Vermont law requiring that genetically engineered products be labeled on store shelves. They have also joined dozens of other companies and business organizations in signing a letter to members of the US House Committee of Energy & Commerce, which, on December 10, is holding a hearing on a bill that would prohibit states from implementing their own labeling laws, according to the Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility.

National brands such as Clif Bar and Beanfields recently joined Vermont company Ben & Jerry’s in filing affidavits in US District Court in support of Act 120, the GMO labeling law being defended by the Vermont Attorney General against attacks from the Grocery Manufacturers Association, the Snack Food Association and others.

by Chris Graff Those who have written off Governor Peter Shumlin as too wounded to be effective are ignoring history and the power of a governor. As for the history lesson, consider Governor Deane C Davis: Polling showed in 1970 that the governor was one of the most unpopular politicians in the country. He was so weak that his own lieutenant governor challenged his re-election in the Republican primary. In-depth polling in 1970 showed that Vermonters thought that Davis was cold and impersonal, didn’t care about the average man and, most importantly, that he had lied to them.

At the heart of the dispute was the 1968 campaign when Davis quite openly said he would support a sales tax for the state, but would only propose one as a “last resort.” After he was elected and appreciated the full extent of the state’s budget crisis, he ended up proposing a sales tax in his inaugural address – and that’s what touched off the anger and distrust.

In addition to the more than a foot of natural snow its received since Thanksgiving, Bolton Valley Ski Area, the most convenient and affordable big mountain skiing just minutes from I-89, will open for the 2014-2015 ski and snowboard season this Friday, December 12 with the longest Opening Day in Vermont. Lifts will turn for skiers and riders from 10 am – 10 pm, and the day will include a host of special lift ticket deals, an opening day party and more.

Bolton Valley snowmakers continued to make snow during this recent cold snap as well, and with a major storm headed to North Country on Tuesday and Wednesday, resort officials are anticipating a snow-filled initial 12 hours on the slopes.

When Mount Snow’s visionary founder, Walter Schoenknecht, stood atop Mount Pisgah in over a foot of freshly fallen snow back in autumn of 1949, he knew he had found the perfect place to build his dream ski resort. Only a few years later, Walt had purchased the land around the base of the mountain from the family of Rueben Snow and subsequently renamed the mountain in his honor – from which the name “Mount Snow” was derived.

On December 12, 1954, Mount Snow opened for the first time to skiers with two rope tows and two chairlifts that transported guests up to seven trails. In only a few years since its debut, Walt had transformed the mountain into the premier winter playground of the East with expanded terrain and off-the-wall amenities for the time like a heated outdoor pool, an indoor skating rink and state-of-the-art chairlifts.

Progressive Party members voted at their Burlington caucus on Sunday to endorse Steve Goodkind as the Progressive candidate for the 2015 mayoral race. The Party also endorsed candidates for at least half of the upcoming city council races. Prior to the vote, Goodkind addressed the approximately 60 caucus participants, speaking about his experience as the former director of the Department of Public Works, and the many improvements he made over the years to help the city of Burlington function better. He said that many of the voters he’s spoken with are discontent with the job that Mayor Miro Weinberger is doing, especially in regard to city development, and Goodkind is running in part to provide them with another option on the ballot.

“Although there are plenty of things we should be saying ‘no’ to, this will be a positive campaign,” Goodkind said. “For every issue I raise, I’ll offer a viable alternative. I will stand for choices, not just for change.”

Wet, heavy snow spreading across Vermont is causing significant damage and causing thousands of power outages. Green Mountain Power reports at 7:30 pm Tuesday that 13,000 customers are without power, despite having already restored power to more than 6,000.

“We brought in more than 200 additional line workers and tree trimmers ahead of the storm, so we have an extensive workforce helping us get the lights on,” said Dorothy Schnure, GMP spokesperson. “As the storm continues, we are seeing a tremendous amount of damage. Falling trees have broken poles and brought down power lines, and we expect additional damage to continue as long as the snow falls.”

Before the storm, GMP prepared by not only bringing in additional line workers and tree trimmers from around the region to support GMP crews, but also deploying support staff to strategic locations across the state. In total, hundreds of workers are tackling the outages around the clock.