Current News
by tim
At the 2012 DistribuTECH conference, IBM (NYSE:IBM) and the Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO) today announced an agreement to build an intelligent fiber optic and Carrier Ethernet communications and control network across the State of Vermont. Spanning more than 1000 miles, this advanced fiber communications network will connect transmission substations to Vermont’s distribution utilities, delivering reliable electric service and the capabilities required for the state's future Smart Grid.
"As the transmission provider for the state of Vermont, VELCO is committed to improving power grid reliability and security," said Chris Dutton, President and CEO of VELCO. ‘Our collaboration with IBM to construct a network that both strengthens system reliability and enables Vermont utilities to execute our collaborative statewide Smart Grid initiative provides an innovative model for the rest of the country to build a 21st century Smart Grid."
by tim
BioTek Instruments, Inc., is proud to announce the opening of their newest subsidiary, BioTek France SAS as of 1 January 2012. The new office is located at 50, Avenue d'Alsace, Colmar, France.
Dirk Frese, European Managing Director and President of BioTek France, noted, "This office is a clear signal to our growing customer base, within France and throughout Europe, that BioTek is growing faster than the market. We are reinforcing our local presence by increasing our investment, when many other companies are driving cost saving strategies."
The BioTek France team includes:
Dr. Dirk Frese - President
Philippe Vivier - National Sales Manager
Damien Brechet - Sales Representative
Lionel Capelle - Sales Representative
by tim
In the month of December MyWebGrocer added six new members to their team, bringing the total of new employees hired in the fourth quarter of 2011 to 23. The new employees joined the departments of software engineering, advertising operations, retail operations, system analysts, search engine optimization and project coordination.
Ahmed Hamed
Ahmed Hamed joins MyWebGrocer as a software engineer. Hamed was born in Cairo, Egypt and has lived in the United States since 1997. He brings 15 years of software engineering and research experience to the position, and enjoys spending time with his four-year-old daughter, Laila.
John Cisar
John Cisar will act as a search content specialist for MyWebGrocer.Cisar was born in St. Albans, Vermont and obtained two degrees from Champlain College. Like a true Vermonter, his favorite winter activities include snowshoeing and winter photography.
Ripley Harrison
by tim
Shelburne Museum was recently awarded $25,000 from People’s United Bank for a new exhibit of Time Machines: Robots, Rockets and Steampunk. Time Machines: Robots, Rockets and Steampunk will be on exhibit between June 16 and October 28, 2012.
The exhibit will feature visions of the future that explore rapidly changing technology and technological dreams. From the Golden Age of science fiction to the space race to contemporary utopian views of technology, Time Machines will tell its story through art, textiles, decorative arts, toys, clothing, books, posters, and more.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine The Faculty Practice Division of the University of Vermont Medical Group recently honored ten faculty members at The University of Vermont Medical Center and Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at the University of Vermont who received awards for their exceptional teaching and research efforts.
by tim
byAnne Galloway vtdigger.orgLawmakers will be sequestered in committee for much of this week, listening to testimony, discussing policy questions and hammering out legislation.
The biggest bill to reach the floor of the House, probably on Tuesday or Wednesday, will bea ‘net metering’ proposalthat would raise the cap on how much residential solar power generators can feed back into the electrical grid. The legislation would also require power companies to offer a higher value credits for net metered power.
Redistricting and the Vermont State Hospital replacement plan will be on the front burner as lawmakers in House Government Operations and House Human Services, respectively, attempt to push bills out of committee this week.
Mental health
by tim
The State of Vermont Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants and Operators were recently selected by EPA for a 2011 Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Excellence Award. The EPA Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Excellence Award was established to recognize and honor the employees of publicly owned wastewater treatment plants for their commitment to improving water quality with outstanding plant operations and maintenance. More often than not, and particularly with the smaller facilities, conscientious operators and staff continue to perform exceptionally with limited resources.
by tim
In testimony on the proposed merger of Green Mountain Power and Central Vermont Public Service submitted Friday to the Vermont Public Service Board, Vermont Electric Power Company President and CEO Chris Dutton pointed to VELCO’s over 50-year track record of the electric transmission company’s reliable service and ratepayer savings in urging the Board to protect what works and not jeopardize the company’s ability to continue to provide these public benefits.
by Anonymous
A new partnership will bring the innovative Vermont-made AllSun Tracker solar electric system to homeowners and businesses throughout northwestern and central Vermont.The dealer partnership between local installer Building Energy and solar tracker manufacturer AllEarth Renewables was announced today. With offices in Williston, Middlebury, Stowe & White River Junction, Building Energy is an energy services company that provides full service solar engineering, design, installation and equipment services for homes, businesses, municipal buildings, and nonprofits.
by tim
By Alan Panebaker vtdigger.org Now that a federal judge has ruled in favor of Entergy, Vermonters are reflecting on what the decision means for the state and for future regulation of nuclear power facilities.
On Thursday, United States District Judge J. Garvan Murtha ruled that the Atomic Energy Act preempted two Vermont laws: one that prohibited the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant from operating beyond March without legislative approval and another that required Entergy to obtain permission to store high level nuclear waste at the site. Murtha’s decision also enjoined the Vermont Public Service Board from conditioning the issuance of a certificate of public good for continued operation on the existence of a below-wholesale-market power purchase agreement between Entergy and Vermont utilities.
Lawyers, lawmakers and Vermont citizens are sifting through the 102-page opinion, trying to determine just what it means for Vermont and the rest of the country.
by tim
Tom Freston, a 1967 graduate of Saint Michael's College, will be the 2012 commencement speaker at ceremonies to be held Monday, May 14, at the liberal arts Catholic college located in Burlington, Vermon,. Regarded as a ground-breaking pioneer in television, Freston spearheaded the rise of MTV Networks.
Tom Freston is a principal of Firefly3, an investment and consutancy firm, with focus on the media and entertainment industries. He is former CEO of Viacom, and was for 17 years, chairman and CEO of MTV Networks. He is now chairman of the ONE Campaign, an anti-poverty advocacy group that was started by Bono, leader of U2.
Honorary degrees
Tom Freston, Sister Lindora Cabral, RSM, president of Sisters of Mercy, and Major General Michael Dubie, Adjutant General of the State of Vermont, will receive honorary degrees at commencement.
by tim
The Public Service Board has approved a four-year regulatory plan for FairPoint Communications that takes an important first step toward ensuring fair industry competition while providing pricing flexibility and protections for consumers.
FairPoint is required to update its regulatory plan every four years and the Vermont Department of Public Service supported the company in its request for regulatory oversight that more accurately reflects the modern telecommunications industry.
‘We appreciate the faith the Department and Public Service Board have shown in supporting these important improvements that will benefit both customers and FairPoint,’ said Michael K Smith, Vermont state president. ‘The changes allow FairPoint to compete more directly and that will be very good for Vermonters.’