Current News
by tim
Under a letter of intent signed today, Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital Medical Center (CVPH) in Plattsburgh, NY, and Elizabethtown Community Hospital (ECH) have agreed in principle to become part of a four-hospital, cross-lake affiliation under Fletcher Allen Partners, the parent organization of Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington, Vermont, and Central Vermont Medical Center (CVMC) in Berlin, Vermont. The purpose of the proposed affiliation is to establish a coordinated, highly integrated health care system that will improve quality, increase access, and lower costs of health care in the communities served by the four hospitals in Vermont and upstate New York.
Kilawatt Technologies has great pleasure to announce the start of an Energy and Environmental Management project with Vermont Electric Coop.
This project will include the collection of total energy consumption data across the entire building on a one to three minute interval. A statistically based model will be developed to understand the energy momentum of the building. From this we will develop building specific control algorithms so only the energy needed to provide a comfortable environment is delivered to the building, where it is needed, at the lowest possible cost.
A few advantages of Kilawatt’s program that will be realized by Vermont Electric Coop include:
1) elimination of occupant comfort issues within the building,
2) reduction of total energy consumption which is projected to be 15% or greater, and
3) avoidance of non-scheduled HVAC and mechanical equipment expenses.
by tim
The nation's urban population increased by 12.1 percent from 2000 to 2010, outpacing the nation's overall growth rate of 9.7 percent for the same period, according to the US Census Bureau. The Census Bureau released the newlist of urban areastoday based on 2010 Census results.
by tim
Operating in its third century, the Woodstock Aqueduct Company has a long history of providing reliable water service to its village and local customers. Now, the private regulated utility founded in 1886 has chosen innovative solar technology to keep competitive and improve its sustainability.
Woodstock Aqueduct Company, located in Woodstock, Vermont, has installed a 14 solar tracker, 60KW orchard near its main pump house.
The Aqueduct Company’s largest utility expense is pumping water and it regularly amassed utility bills that are close to $2,000 per month.
by tim
by Alan Panebaker vtdigger.org March 24, 2012Representatives for Green Mountain Power say an attempt by the Vermont Legislature to require a cash payback as a result of a utility merger could sour the deal.
Earlier this week, four representatives proposed an amendment to House Bill 468 that would require Central Vermont Public Service to pay ratepayers $21 million in cash rebates as part of a windfall sharing mechanism.
House Speaker Shap Smith said the amendment was not relevant to the bill, which dealt with a renewable energy mandate, so the house never debated it.
Now they have their sights on House Bill 718, an act relating to miscellaneous matters involving the Public Service Board and Department of Public Service.
by tim
Champlain College’s annual Spring Career and Internship Fair on Monday, March 26, will play host to more than 80 area businesses and organizations who strive to hire and develop local talent. The job fair will run from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Argosy Gymnasium at 262 South Willard St., Burlington. The event is free and open to the public seeking professional career opportunities.
By commingling students with the general public, Champlain’s Career Services office feels it provides a more realistic view of the job market and is also more attractive to area businesses. "It enables our students to be aware that the market is competitive, showing them how professional they have to be to get a job," explains Associate Director of Champlain College Career Services Patricia Boera.
by tim
Contracts for future construction activity in Vermont show decline in December and for the entire year versus 2010. New Hampshire suffered similar results.
VERMONT Future Construction Activity
December 2011 2010 %Change
Nonresidential $12,593,000 $6,079,000 +++
Residential $7,690,000 $13,967,000 -45%
Nonbuilding $25,323,000 $67,535,000 -47%
Total Construction $15,668,000 $17,249,000 -33%
For the Year-to-date on a cumulative basis, the totals are:
Year to Date 2011 2010 %Change
Nonresidential $223,368,000 $308,277,000 -28%
Residential $210,198,000 $241,055,000 -13%
by tim
MSA (NYSE: MSA), ofPittsburgh,today announced it has signed a non-binding letter of intent to sell itsNorth Americaballistic helmet business.The company currently manufactures ballistic helmets at itsNewport, Vermontmanufacturing plant, which employs approximately 40 people.Terms of the deal and the potential purchaser's name are not being disclosed. MSA expects to complete the transaction within the next 45 days.
The potential sale of this business is something the company has been considering for some time, saidJoseph A Bigler,Presidentof MSA North America. "The decision to move in this direction came down to two factors: alignment with MSA's long-term business strategy, and pursuing a course of action that provides our associates who work on our North American ballistic helmet line the best opportunity for future success," Bigler said.
by tim
Bolton Valley officials recently announced that the Vermont Land Trust has signed a contract to purchase the 1,161 acres of terrain that host the Bolton Valley Nordic and backcountry trails. For Bolton Valley free heeling enthusiasts, this means regaining some of the terrain that was off limits this season and will return the area’s Nordic and backcountry trail offering back to its original 100 km of terrain.
The land is in the center of the Chittenden County Uplands Conservation Project (CCUCP) area’an area that has been a focus for forestland and habitat protection for more than 10 years.
For Bolton Valley All-Access season pass holders, it means regaining access to terrain that wasn’t accessible to the public during the 2011-2012 due to a potential private sale.
by tim
by Kevin Kelley, Vermont Business Magazine Target, the retail giant seen as an upper-scale alternative to Wal-Mart, may still be planning to build a 136,500-square-foot store in Williston, but Town Planning Director Ken Belliveau says the chain's chances of constructing such an outlet on the site of the former Williston Driving Range appear ‘slim.’
Vermontbiz.com incorrectly reported last week that Belliveau had said Target would not be coming to Williston. His actual comment in an interview earlier this month was, ‘Target had been wanting to build here, but it looks like it's not going to happen.’
Vermontbiz.com also reported erroneously that the driving range property is owned by JL Davis Realty. It is in fact owned by Al Senecal's Omega Realty.
by tim
US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA is seeking applications for grants to help rural businesses create jobs and spur economic development.
‘This funding is part of the Obama administration’s commitment to using existing federal resources to foster regional innovation, create sustainable jobs and help ensure long-term prosperity,’ Vilsack said. ‘The funding will speed up job creation and new business start-ups and expansions by building regional economic systems in rural areas.
USDA Rural Development plans to award up to $8.6 million through the Rural Community Development Initiative program. Applications are sought for projects that:
· Provide technical assistance to improve the capacity of local organizations to complete successful housing, economic development and community facilities projects;
by tim
by Anne Galloway vtdigger.orgAn amendment that would require CVPS to pay back ratepayers in cash for a 2001 bailout may get a second chance.
Representative Cynthia Browning, D-Arlington, will be proposing the measure when the Department of Public Service omnibus ‘housekeeping bill’ comes out of House Commerce and Economic Development next week. The amendment now has 72 sponsors in the House, according to RepresentativePaul Poirier one of the bill’s lead supporters.
On Wednesday House Speaker Shap Smith determined the provision was ‘not germane’ to the renewable portfolio standard bill, effectively preventing the amendment from coming to a vote on the House floor.
Read the VTDigger.org story.