Current News

Governor Peter Shumlin and Environmental Conservation Commissioner David Mears today released the Phase One Plan establishing the steps that Vermont will take to reduce the phosphorus load into Lake Champlain. That Plan and a letter from the governor to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy were forwarded to the Environmental Protection Agency.

“As the sixth largest freshwater lake in the United States, and the source of vital economic, recreational, and cultural opportunities, Lake Champlain is a water of critical importance to Vermont, the region and our nation,” Gov. Shumlin wrote in the letter to McCarthy. “We share the nation’s interest in returning this treasured water body to full health.”

A $5 million gift from class of 1964 graduate Jack Silver and his wife Shirley will ensure the restoration of two Victorian-era jewels on the University of Vermont campus while also expanding scholarly research and programs for alumni. The commitment, which ranks among UVM's largest donations in recent years, supports improvements to the Billings Library and renovations at the planned Alumni House, designed to be a hub of activity and educational programs for graduates and their families.

"This generous gift places us on track to finish two of my highest strategic investment priorities -- the renovation and restoration of two architectural masterpieces on the University of Vermont campus, the Billings Library and the future Alumni House on Summit Street," said President Tom Sullivan, who announced the gift at a reception Wednesday evening sponsored by the University of Vermont Foundation and hosted by the Silvers at their New York City residence.

by Timothy McQuiston Vermont Bsuiness Magazine Governors from eight states, including Vermont, today announced a groundbreaking initiative to put 3.3 million zero-emission vehicles on the roads in their states within a dozen years. These governors have joined forces to revolutionize the automobile market by promoting zero-emission vehicles. The use of these clean vehicles will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality and public health, enhance energy diversity, save consumers money, and promote economic growth. Zero-emission vehicles include battery-electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles, and hydrogen fuel-cell-electric vehicles. These technologies can be used in passenger cars, trucks and transit buses.

The US Fish & Wildlife Service has announced that the City of Burlington has been awarded a $1.5 million grant to enhance boating opportunities at the Perkins Pier Marina. This grant was one of 16 competitive grants given out this year through the US Fish & Wildlife Service’s Boating Infrastructure Grant program to enhance boating opportunities throughout the country. The project will improve Burlington’s harbor protection, provide public access to the water and increase the number of transient boat slips available on the waterfront.

“The visitors to Lake Champlain who come to boat, fish, swim and enjoy the beautiful scenery provide an important boost to Vermont’s tourist economy and other local businesses,” said Gov. Peter Shumlin. “This project will provide additional opportunities for people to shop, dine and support the city’s waterfront district.”

The Environmental Protection Agency has announced $17.5 Million in awards to 46 different recipient organizations to assess and clean up Brownfield sites across New England. In Vermont, six grants were awarded for a total of $1,475,500. The grants go to municipalities and organizations to protect public health and the environment and to revitalize communities by providing funding to assess, clean up and redevelop contaminated properties, boost local economies, and create jobs. These investments in the region’s communities leverage an average of $17 for every dollar spent on grants.

by John Herrick vtdigger.org Opponents of the F-35 fighter jet are bringing the issue of noise to the Vermont Supreme Court. Four F-35 opponents Wednesday appealed a lower court decision rejecting their request that Burlington, which owns the Burlington International Airport, obtain an Act 250 development permit to host a fleet of F-35 fighter jets set to arrive in 2020. The US Air Force estimated noise levels around the airport will increase with the new jets and will include thousands of more homes within an area considered “unsuitable for residential use,” a chief concern that critics of the F-35 basing decisions want addressed through permit conditions that would limit noise impacts on the surrounding neighborhoods.

Governor Peter Shumlin and Michael Obuchowski, Commissioner of the Department of Buildings and General Services, announced today that the State is accepting the donation of two plug-in hybrid electric sedans from Toyota. The two Toyota Prius plug-in hybrids will be delivered to Montpelier in the next few weeks to be added to the state’s fleet.

“I want to express my gratitude for this generous donation. It comes at a perfect time, as we are taking steps to reduce our carbon footprint by encouraging industry and consumers to look seriously at building charging stations and purchasing Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs)” Shumlin said.

“The State of Vermont is leading by example,” said Toyota General Manager George Brenner. “Providing Vermonters with more hands-on experience should benefit the state as it moves forward with policies and investments to support greater consumer acceptance of ZEVs.”

Carris Reels has been named a 2014 “Northeast Business Leader for Energy Efficiency” for its commitment to lowering energy use. Nominated by Efficiency Vermont, the Rutland based reel and spool manufacturer is being honored for cumulative efforts that have reduced its annual energy costs by more than $190,000. The award is given annually by Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP), a non-profit energy efficiency advocacy organization, to highlight the energy-saving achievements of organizations throughout the region.

“We are proud to recognize Carris Reels for their success and commitment to energy efficiency,” said Sue Coakley, Executive Director of NEEP. “Carris Reels provides an excellent example of how energy saving investments can improve a company’s bottom line, contribute to economic growth, and reduce environmental impact.”

Three Northeast Kingdom groups, Newark Neighbors United (NNU), Brighton Ridge Protectors (BRP) and Save Our Senecas (SOS) said they are elated and relieved with the decision by a Portsmouth NH industrial wind developer, Eolian LLC, to withdraw the interconnection request for its Seneca Mountain Wind project. On Wednesday May 21st, Jack Kenworthy, CEO of Eolian said in an e-mail to ISO-New England “Seneca Mountain Wind has decided to withdraw its interconnection request … we are disappointed by the need to make this decision.”

A Shoreham angler took a new state record carp on May 20 from the Vermont waters of Lake Champlain. Darren Ouelette was bow-fishing for carp with Taylor Patterson in a backwater area of southern Lake Champlain when Darren spotted a very large carp cruising just below the surface in some flooded trees. Drawing quickly and taking aim, Darren arrowed the 44-pound 6-ounce giant, and then fought for over 20 minutes to land it on his fishing-modified compound bow.

“I knew it was a pretty big fish when I first saw it, but I didn’t think it was as big as it turned out to be,” said Ouellette.

NEXUS Mobile Enrollment Events Scheduled June 2-5 in Vermont

Responding to requests from Rep. Peter Welch, Vermont business leaders, and Vermont’s travel and tourism industry, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CPB) agency has announced a series of opportunities next week for Vermonters to more conveniently enroll in the NEXUS program.

NEXUS allows expedited screening for approved enrollees at the northern border and many airports across the country. Currently, Vermonters wishing to enroll in this program must travel to Champlain, New York to complete a required in-person interview.

The first mobile enrollment event in Vermont will take place between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Monday, June 2 at CPB’s office near the airport in South Burlington (228 Aviation Avenue, Suite 100). Rep. Welch will personally enroll in the NEXUS program at 11 a.m. at this site.

Gov. Peter Shumlin today signed into law legislation making at least 10 hours per week of high-quality education available to every 3- and 4-year-old child in Vermont. In addition, he released Vermont’s Early Childhood Action Plan, the result of a year-long, statewide collaborative effort led by the Governor’s office, the Vermont Agency of Human Services, the Vermont Agency of Education, and advocates for early learning initiatives.

The new law requires communities to offer at least 10 hours per week of high-quality, publicly funded pre-kindergarten education for 35 weeks annually to any “prekindergarten children.” Qualified pre-kindergarten programs include those operated by public schools, private early education and care programs, and Head Start.