Current News

Green Mountain College continues to attract nationwide attention as one of the top colleges in the country for environmental programming and operations. Sierra magazine, the official magazine of the Sierra Club, announced today that Green Mountain College ranked eighth in the nation in its annual "Cool Schools" survey. Earlier this month, GMC received a perfect green rating of "99" in the 2015 edition of The Princeton Review's The Best 379 Colleges. 




Sierra's "Cool Schools" list recognizes colleges and universities that are creating tangible change in all categories of greenness – from what's served in dining halls to what's taught in lecture halls to what's powering the dorms. This was the fourth time in five years that GMC has ranked among Sierra's top ten schools.

NFP, a provider of benefits, property and casualty and life insurance and wealth management services, has expanded its property and casualty business in New England with the acquisitions of Poulos Insurance, Inc and Altus Specialty Group, LLC. Poulos, which has 11 offices in Vermont, closed on August 4, 2014 and ASG closed on August 8, 2014. Commenting on today’s announcement, Douglas W Hammond, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NFP, said: “Poulos and ASG have a combined New England presence which expands NFP’s national standing and continued dedication to growing our property and casualty insurance practice. We are excited to welcome these high quality firms and all their employees to the NFP family.”

Verizon Wireless has announced that it recently enhanced fourth generation (4G) Long Term Evolution (LTE) network coverage in Burlington, Vermont.

The Vermont Journal of Environmental Law (VJEL) has announced its first annual White River Environmental Law Writing Competition, open to law students across the country for a chance to win $1,000 and publication in VJEL. As the environmental law journal of Vermont Law School, home of the top-ranked environmental law program in the United States, VJEL is positioned to reach audiences on a global scale and affords students a unique opportunity to participate in current debates surrounding far-reaching environmental law and policy issues.

Almost three years from the day that Tropical Storm Irene devastated Waterbury and other Vermont communities, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) led a groundbreaking celebration to mark the start of construction of South Main Apartments, a 27 mixed-income apartments on the campus of the former State Office Complex.

"Today we’re excited and appreciative to mark the start of construction of South Main Apartments,” said Eileen Peltier, Executive Director of the Central Vermont Community Land Trust. “Thanks to a caring community, supportive State government and leadership by Senator Patrick Leahy and the other members of our Congressional delegation, we are transforming Ladd Hall into 27 attractive, energy efficient homes.”

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) has approved $4.3 million in financing for economic development projects totaling $9 million throughout Vermont. Among the projects are: Sugarbush Resort, $500,000; Concepts ETI, Inc, $145,612; Manufacturing Solutions, Inc, $62,884; Route 802 LLC,$150,000; Al’s Snowmobile Parts, $175,000; Caledonia Spirits, $80,000.

“VEDA is pleased to provide financing support to a number of small business, manufacturing, energy, technology, and agricultural projects,” said Jo Bradley, VEDA Chief Executive Officer. “Jobs will be created as a result of these projects, helping to boost Vermont’s economic growth.”

Projects approved by the Authority for nearly $1.3 million in direct commercial financing include:

The J Warren & Lois McClure Foundation, a supporting organization of the Vermont Community Foundation, has announced $339,650 in grants to support programs promoting college and career education for Vermonters—with a particular focus on low-income students, first-generation college students, adult learners, and veterans. The McClure Foundation is guided by a vision of a vibrant, world-class economy in Vermont where no job goes unfilled for lack of a qualified applicant and in which each citizen is encouraged to learn and to contribute.

by Morgan True vtdigger.org Vermont’s largest health insurer said Tuesday that any reduction to its requested rate increase for plans it offers on the state’s health exchange could hurt its solvency, but consumer advocates argue the increase will make coverage less affordable. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont is requesting an average 9.8 percent rate increase for its Vermont Health Connect plans in 2015. That translates to a $20 to $75 monthly increase in premiums, depending on the plan. Blue Cross covers more than 90 percent of those who purchased commercial insurance through Vermont Health Connect, the state’s health insurance marketplace.

by Tom Pelham, Campaign for Vermont So now the fiscal ship of state has hit the rocky shoals, as predicted. Almost a year ago, those of us at Campaign for Vermont clearly made the case that Vermont’s fiscal ship was heading toward treacherous waters (click for 'Shipwreck'). The Shumlin administration’s (click here) response was that the fiscal ship was in good hands.

More recently, Campaign for Vermont predicted the revenue down grade: Pelham: Government growing faster than the economy

Vermont Gas will offer landowners with whom they’ve not yet reached an easement agreement the option of participating in a new, neutral third-party mediation process. In a statement released Teusday, the company said it hopes this neutral process results in agreements that will eliminate the need for full, litigated eminent domain proceedings. Since 2001 Vermont Gas has installed over 250 miles of pipeline and has never had to use eminent domain. However, Vermont Gas said that in order to maintain the schedule necessary to deliver the 4,000 residents and business of Addison County the 40-50 percent savings and reduced greenhouse gas emissions that the project can provide, Vermont Gas must proceed with the regulatory process. This means Vermont Gas will have to initiate eminent domain proceedings for a small number of landowners, but in these cases landowners have been, or will be, offered neutral, third-party mediation as an alternative.

Vermont Business Magazine MPHJ Technology Investments, LLC, lost its latest attempt to avoid litigating its case in Vermont state court when the United States Appellate Court for the Federal Circuit dismissed an appeal of the federal district court’s decision to send the case back to the state court for resolution. “We’re pleased the Federal Circuit has rejected MPHJ’s appeal. Now we can turn in earnest to litigate the case in state court – where it began and where it rightfully should be,” said Attorney General Sorrell.

Green Mountain Power began construction Tuesday on an innovative new solar project to improve resiliency and safety in communities, by generating clean energy that can be stored and used to power an emergency shelter at Rutland High School during a storm. According to the US Department of Energy, The Stafford Hill Solar Farm is the first project to establish a micro-grid powered solely by solar and battery back-up, with no other fuel source. GMP received a Certificate of Public Good for the project on June 15 and preliminary site work is under way. The $10 million project is expected to be complete in mid-December.