Current News

Burton Snowboards and Mountain Dew today announced a new partnership focused on improving sustainability in apparel and outerwear. Specifically, for the 2012 and 2013 product seasons, the two brands are working together to change the way outerwear and apparel are made, by creating sustainable fabrics out of recycled plastic bottles and implementing this material into key products within the Burton line.

The holidays are right around the corner along with the busiest shopping days of the year. In all the excitement of buying and receiving gifts this holiday season, the Vermont State E-Cycles Program is reminding people to properly dispose of their old items. Amongst this year’s top gifts are likely to be TVs, laptops, computers, and computer assessories, along with all the other latest electonic toys and devices. When disposing of electronics, remember that electronics don’t belong in your trash. Instead, use one of more than 90 drop off locations in the state that participate in the Vermont E-Cycles Program.

Grants are now available to support projects focused on Lake Champlain through the Lake Champlain and Tributaries Restoration Fund and the South Lake Champlain Fund, both housed at the Vermont Community Foundation.
The Lake Champlain and Tributaries Restoration Fund was established by Central Vermont Public Service (CVPS) in 2009 as part of a comprehensive settlement agreement with the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) for the Lamoille River, Carver Falls, and Silver Lake Hydroelectric Projects. CVPS contributed $500,000 to the fund.
Matching funds are required, and grants will be awarded for new initiatives, one-time special projects, or continuing funding for outstanding, existing programs that address one or more of the following purposes:
· Protect, restore, and enhance the ecosystem integrity and ecological connectivity of the community of aquatic life in the Lake Champlain ecosystem and its tributaries.

Hinesburg, Vermont-based NRG Systems, manufacturer of measurement systems for the utility-scale renewable energy industry, and G. Lufft Mess- und Regeltechnik GmbH, German manufacturer of ultrasonic wind sensors, today announced a private-label agreement to serve a broader global market in wind measurement and turbine control. The agreement pairs NRG Systems’ global reach in the wind energy industry and its complete system approach with G. Lufft’s ultrasonic technology for wind measurement.

Vermont state tax revenues continue to show a mixed bag of results, as corporate tax gains once again saved what is continuing weakness in consumer-related revenues. But even the positive corporate revenue results come with a caveat.
Secretary of Administration Jeb Spaulding released the October 2011 General Fund (GF) Revenue results today, which showed General Fund revenues at $100.77 million for October 2011, or +$3.85 million (+3.97%) above the $96.92 million consensus revenue forecast for the month. Year to date, General Fund revenues were $394.04 million, or +$9.94 million (+2.59%) above the target of $384.10 million for FY 2012. October is the fourth month of fiscal year (FY) 2012.

Proposed rules published today for comment in The Federal Register by the US Small Business Administration would adjust the size definition of small businesses in 29 industries in one sub-industry in two broad categories of businesses, ranging from real estate and property management to colleges, junior colleges and universities.
The proposed adjustments to size standards in 20 industries and one sub-industry in Sector 53 of the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), ‘Real Estate and Rental and Leasing,’ and in nine industries in Sector 61, ‘Educational Services,’ reflect changes in marketplace conditions in those sectors.
In both sectors, the proposed changes are based on annual gross revenues. The standards delineate how large a business can be and still qualify as small for federal government programs. The dollar limits refer to annual revenues averaged over three years.

Vermont farmers devastated by Tropical Storm Irene will receive much-needed disaster assistance through two important federal programs. The funding levels for both programs were agreed to by a House-Senate conference committee negotiating fiscal year 2012 funding levels for US Department of Agriculture programs.
‘Many Vermont farmers were knocked down by Tropical Storm Irene but they are characteristically fighting to get back on their feet. This funding will give them a much-needed boost,’ Welch said. ‘We were ultimately successful in our efforts because Republicans and Democrats in the House worked together to secure disaster relief. And Senator Leahy, with the strong support of Senator Sanders, delivered once again for Vermont farmers by helping secure this final agreement.’

Dartmouth-Hitchcock (D-H) today began implementation of a reduction in the size of its workforce, notifying approximately 50 employees system-wide of the elimination of their positions. The action comes as the health system works to fill a $100 million budget deficit created by increasing costs and decreasing reimbursements, all within a rapidly shifting health care environment.
‘I am extremely sorry this action is necessary,’ wrote D-H CEO James N Weinstein, in a message to all of Dartmouth-Hitchcock’s 8,500 employees. ‘While our Voluntary Early Retirement Offer and other streamlining efforts have allowed us to make up a significant portion of our budget shortfall, the remaining gap and continued challenges we face force us to take the step of further reducing the size of our workforce.’
On November 4, Weinstein told employees at a Town Hall meeting that up to 100 positions would be eliminated over the next two months.

The United States needs unprecedented collaboration among electric utilities, government, industry and academia to create a smart grid with clear policies, empowered customers, demonstrated cost savings and a greener environment, according to early results in Vermont Law School’s national smart grid research project.
Researchers at VLS’s Institute for Energy and the Environment are studying the legal, policy and regulatory hurdles to upgrading the US electric system with smart grid technology. The federal government has awarded $3.4 billion in stimulus funds to utilities and other entities, making the smart grid a key part of the US clean energy agenda.
Vermont, California, Texas and a handful of other states have taken the lead in finding a well-balanced approach to demonstrating and implementing a smart grid system.

The proprietors of The Vermont Country Store, one of America’s most beloved retail experiences, will join the legendary daytime TV host Martha Stewart to talk recipes and share the success story behind their three generation family business in a special segment of The Martha Stewart Show. Lyman Orton and his three sons, Cabot, Eliot and Gardner Orton will be with Martha for an entire segment highlighted by the baking of a Vermont Country Store food favorite, the Maple Mountain Crunch Cake.
The Vermont Country Store proprietors are l-r; Eliot, Lyman, Cabot and Gardner Orton. (Photo: Business Wire)

A significant hurdle for Vermont getting more aid from the federal government for Tropical Storm Irene recovery was cleared yesterday. Congressional House and Senate conferees Monday afternoon agreed to extend and increase transportation funding in the wake of damage done to roads and bridges. Without the extra $150 million, Vermont would have to use regular transportation funds to pay for the emergency repairs, thus taking money away from ongoing tranportation needs. Governor Peter Shumlin has put Irene-related repair costs at $175-250 million.

Casella Waste Systems, Inc. will host a ribbon cutting ceremony at the company's newest Zero-Sort® facility located in Rutland, Vermont on Friday, November 18, 2011, from 1-4 pm. Attending the ceremony, and making remarks on the occasion, will be Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin and Casella Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John Casella.
Prior to the ribbon cutting ceremony at 3 pm, tours of the 57,000 square foot Zero-Sort facility will be available to all attendees as well as members of the media.
Zero-Sort Recycling does not require customers to sort their recyclable materials. In communities where Casella has introduced the Zero-Sort service, overall customer participation and recycling efforts have increased significantly.
RUTLAND, VT--(Marketwire - November 14, 2011)