Current News

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.’

Tomorrow is the big day for the Northeast Kingdom Chamber's big move to the Green Mountain Mall. We just wanted to alert you that our phones have already been turned off, so e-mails will be the only way to contact the chamber office today.
You may contact us today at:
Darcie McCann - [email protected]
Jenn Garand - [email protected]
Rick Provan - [email protected]
We look forward to serving you in our new location and hope you drop by sometime soon. Our new offices are located between Radio Shack and Union Bank, directly across the mall entrance to the JC Penney store.
Our address will change, but please note our phone numbers and e-mail addresses will not. Our new address is:
Northeast Kingdom Chamber
2000 Memorial Drive - Ste. 11
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819

Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR) today indicated that it expects fourth quarter 2011 as-reported earnings of approximately$0.86per share and operational earnings of approximately$0.93per share. Results for fourth quarter 2010 were$1.26per share on an as-reported basis and$1.30per share on an operational basis. Entergy also affirmed its previously issued operational earnings guidance for 2012.
As-reported results are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and are comprised of operational earnings (described below) and special items. Special items were reflected in both periods arising out of the following:

expenses for outside services in connection with the proposed divestment and subsequent merger of Entergy's electric transmission business into ITC Holdings Corp. announced onDec. 5, 2011and
expenses associated with the previously planned spin-off of the non-utility nuclear business incurred in fourth quarter 2010.

People's United Financial, Inc (NASDAQ: PBCT) today announced net income of$43.0 million, or$0.12per share, for the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to$32.0 million, or$0.09per share, for the fourth quarter of 2010, and$52.9 million, or$0.15per share, for the third quarter of 2011. Operating earnings were$58.7 million, or$0.17per share, for the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to$36.7 million, or$0.10per share, for the fourth quarter of 2010 and$67.3 million, or$0.19per share, for this year's third quarter. Included in the quarterly results are merger-related expenses and one-time charges (after-tax) totaling$15.7 millionin the fourth quarter of 2011,$4.7 millionin the fourth quarter of 2010 and$14.4 millionin the third quarter of 2011.

By Alan Panebaker vtdigger.org The Shumlin administration and the Green Mountain Care Board introduced road maps Thursday for how they plan to implement health care reform.
The board’s annual report and the administration’s Strategic Plan for Vermont Health Reform shed light on the specifics of how the state will maneuver to a health benefits exchange in 2014 and into a single-payer system in 2017.
Download theGMCB Annual Report
Last week the board approved its work plan, identifying high priorities for 2012. Anya Rader Wallack, chair of the Green Mountain Care Board, fielded questions from legislators Thursday that have become somewhat of the norm: How will the board maintain its independence from the Shumlin administration and how is a reformed system going to control costs?

The 2012 Farm Show, which runs from Jan. 24th-26th at the Champlain Valley Expo, will be the largest in Vermont’s history. The Essex Junction venue will be filled with 277 booths, representing 168 vendors. The show was relocated to the fairgrounds this year from its former home in Barre to accommodate steadily increasing attendance from both vendors and visitors in recent years.
For a full list of Farm Show exhibitors, visit http://www.vtfarmshow.com/exhibitors.html
Farm Show Schedule
Hours for the Farm Show are as follows
Tues., Jan. 24th: 9 a.m. ‘ 5 p.m.
Wed., Jan. 25th: 9 a.m. ‘ 8 p.m.
Thur., Jan. 26th: 9 a.m. ‘ 4 p.m.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Pat McDonald announced today that she would be stepping down at Chair of the Vermont Republican Party at the end of this month, but would be continuing to assist the VT GOP in communications and outreach.
Below is her statement:
"The past year has been one of the most exciting and rewarding times of my career. I have immensely enjoyed serving as Chair of the Vermont Republican Party, and I'm very proud of what we have been able to accomplish in positioning the VT GOP for the opportunities that lie ahead.
"Make no mistake, the ground is fertile for big changes in Vermont in 2012. The people of Vermont have grown weary of politics as usual, and they have little patience left for politicians who make promises they can't keep. They are looking for leaders to take them in a new direction: leaders who will help grow our economy, create new opportunities for the people that live here, and bring about a new age of prosperity in Vermont.