Current News

Standardized test scores for science are down in Vermont. The Vermont Agency of Education today released the Spring 2014 science assessment results for Vermont students in grades four, eight, and 11 during a press conference held at White River School in White River Junction. The results show that 44 percent of Vermont fourth graders scored as proficient or higher in science, down three percentage points from last year’s cohort. In grade eight, 25 percent were proficient or higher, seven percentage points lower than 2013. In grade 11, 30 percent were proficient or higher, one percentage point lower than 2013.

The Working Lands Enterprise Board (WLEB), in collaboration with the St Albans-based Yellow Wood Associates (YWA), has commenced an in-depth analysis of the forestry and wood products industry in Vermont. With direction from WLEB, YWA will engage stakeholders across all sectors of Vermont’s forest and wood products economy to better understand the current state of the industry and identify opportunities for future strategic investment. The goal of the project, slated for completion by July 2015, is a comprehensive report which will establish a strong foundation for increased support and strategic growth in this important sector of Vermont’s economy.

YWA will engage stakeholders through an on-line survey, regional focus groups, value-chain mapping workshops and a statewide summit to be held in the spring of 2015. The study, which will include an exploration and analysis of forestry and wood markets, products, and services, will also:

Timothy McQuiston Vermont Business Magazine Fletcher Allen Health Care announced today that it has appointed Eileen Whalen, MHA, RN, to the position of president and chief operating officer effective early 2015. The appointment was made following a national search. Whalen will report to John Brumsted, MD, who will retain the position of chief executive officer at Fletcher Allen as well as his position as president and chief executive officer of Fletcher Allen Partners, the four-hospital integrated health network serving Vermont and northern New York. Whalen’s position combines the role of president with that of the chief operating officer.

RealtyTrac, a leading source for comprehensive housing data, has released its first-ever report ranking all US counties based on the prevalence of man-made environmental hazards. Chittenden County was the only county in Vermont with a population large enough to quality. It ranked 34th best (545) of the 578 counties ranked, between Spotsylvania County, VA, and Hampshire County, MA. The highest ranked county was Deschutes, OR, and the worst was Saint Louis City, MO. Many of the best were in the Northwest and many of the worst, predictably, were in urban areas across the country.

Burlington Electric Department (BED) and the Burlington International Airport (BTV) have announced they have been cleared to install a 500 kW solar array atop the airport parking garage. This project is part of the City’s ongoing commitment to add community solar to its portfolio and, with an anticipated “go-live” date for later this year, will bring Burlington’s installed solar photovoltaic to 69 projects generating 1.92 megawatts of power for the city.

Yestermorrow Design/Build School of Waitsfield joins the nonprofit American Solar Energy Society (ASES) and hundreds of solar-savvy installers and grassroots organizations throughout America to showcase thousands of solar-powered homes, schools and businesses ― in Vermont and across North America -- for the 19^th Annual National Solar Tour, the world’s largest grassroots solar event. The event, slated for Saturday, October 4th, is showcases the solar technologies your neighbors are using to 1) drastically reduce monthly energy bills, 2) reduce harmful carbon emissions, and 3) enjoy rich tax credits and cash incentives as they improve their property values.

“The ASES National Solar Tour shows families and businesses real-life examples of how their neighbors are harnessing free energy from the sun to generate electricity, warm and cool their homes, heat water and slash monthly utility bills,” according to Kate Stephenson, Yestermorrow’s Executive Director.

Hunters are enthusiastic about Vermont’s upcoming October 4-26 and December 6-14 split archery deer hunting season, according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. “Deer are moving about and being seen more now with cooler weather to stimulate activity,” said Cedric Sanborn at R&L Archery in Barre. “Several hunters who have put out trail cameras are patterning deer activity and getting photos of nice bucks.”

“This year is very different because, unlike last year, there are very few apples in the woods and a lot of deer are feeding out in fields,” he added. “Hunters will do well to set up stands along deer trails leading into those fields.”

A hunter may take up to three deer in Vermont’s two-part archery season with three archery licenses. No more than one of the deer taken during archery season may be a legal buck. No antlerless deer may be taken in Wildlife Management Unit (WMUs) D2, E1 or E2, where antlerless deer hunting is prohibited in 2014.

Vermont Smoke and Cure, maker of “damn fine” bacon, ham and award winning RealSticks in Hinesburg, is teaming with AllEarth Renewables of Williston to source local renewable solar to power the company’s electrical needs. Nearly half of Vermont Smoke and Cure’s electric demand is now being supplied by solar projects with future plans for solar to fulfill all of the meat plant’s electrical load. A 156-killowattsolar orchard in Essex and an 88-killowatt solar orchard in Marshfield will produce approximately 366,000-kilowatt hours annually of emissions-free solar electricity for the Vermont company.Both projects utilize Vermont-made solar trackers.

Leaders from the Vermont State House, Administration and Quebec Province will address attendees at Renewable Energy 2014, a two-day conference and expo in Burlington, VT focusing on the state and region’s most pressing energy challenges.

Conference attendees will have a unique opportunity for direct, one-on-one question-and-answer, discussion and debate. Join Representative Ellis, Senator Bray and Deputy Commissioner Springer for a sneak preview of what may come to Vermont in January 2015. Items up for discussion include a Renewable Portfolio Standard, placing a price on carbon, the role of gas in Vermont, the electrification of Vermont’s transportation sector and more. Also joining the Panel is Marie-Claude Francoeur, Quebec Delegate to New England, to describe a new venture starting in January 2015 between Quebec and California, linking Quebec’s Green House Gas emissions Cap-and-Trade System to California’s carbon market.

The Northwest State Corrections Facility is fully compliant with Vermont’s Universal Recycling law nearly one year ahead of schedule. The law, adopted in 2012, establishes a phased-in timeline for recyclables and organics to be banned from Vermont’s landfill. Baseline recyclables and food scraps from the large generators (2+ tons/week) within 20 miles of a certified composting facility will be diverted starting July 1, 2015. The Northwest State Correctional Facility met compliance on September 17, 2014 and joins Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility in diverting these materials.

“We applaud the impressive work of the Northwest State Correctional Facility,” said Agency of Natural Resources Secretary Markowitz. “The Facility provides a model for businesses and institutions currently navigating options for meeting the requirements of Universal Recycling. It’s wonderful to see the Department of Corrections set the example.”

Vermont Business Magazine A high-ranking Shumlin Administration official is leaving his position. The Vermont State Colleges Board of Trustees today announced the appointment of Jeb Spaulding as the next Chancellor of the Vermont State Colleges, following the retirement of current Chancellor Tim Donovan at the end of the calendar year. Since, 2011, Spaulding has served Governor Peter Shumlin as Vermont’s Secretary of Administration. During the prior decade, he was elected five times as the Vermont State Treasurer. As a State Senator from Washington County from 1985-2001, Spaulding chaired Appropriations, Education, Joint Fiscal, and Joint Administrative Rules Committees.

US Senator Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, announced at Vermont Law School Wednesday that the US Department of Agriculture will use $759,000 in funding to support a three-year partnership between the Center for Agriculture and Food Systems (CAFS) at VLS and the National Agricultural Library (NAL). The USDA funding will support dissemination of agricultural and food law research and the development of legal tools related to two key sustainability issues—land tenure and gleaning.

“Vermont Law School is a leader, not just in Vermont but for the entire nation, on agricultural legal education,” said Leahy. “This new agreement will further enrich opportunities for VLS students and our state to tackle emerging agricultural legal issues and develop practical tools for farmers. From helping new farmers acquire land to increasing charitable food donations from farms, this work reflects Vermont values.”