Current News
by tim
In another key step to further states’ role in developing a robust US health information technology (HIT) infrastructure, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced today that Vermont’s Medicaid program will receive federal matching funds for state planning activities necessary to implement the electronic health record (EHR) incentive program established by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). Vermont will receive approximately $294,000 in federal matching funds.
EHRs will improve the quality of health care for the citizens of Vermont and make their care more efficient. The records make it easier for the many providers who may be treating a Medicaid patient to coordinate care. Additionally, EHRs make it easier for patients to access the information they need to make decisions about their health care.
by tim
The next Vermont "sales tax holiday" will take place Saturday, March 6. The sales tax holiday was initiated in 2008 and has been wildly popular with retailers, consumers and politicians. All items of $2,000 or less that would normally qualify for the Vermont sales and use tax are exempt. This includes both the regular statewide sales of 6 percent and the 1 percent local option tax that most of the larger towns in Vermont also have instituted.
by tim
Green Energy Live, Inc (OTCBB: GELV) of Michigan announced yesterday that it has signed a letter of intent to acquire Peck Electric of South Burlington, Vermont, a leader in Solar Energy Installations and electrical contracting.
Vermont enacted the Vermont Clean Energy Development Fund (CEDF) in 2007 and it is scheduled to run clean renewable energy funding through 2012. The overall goal is to increase renewable energy and economic development of renewable energy companies in the state. With Peck Electric being brought under Green Energy Live's umbrella, the company is better positioned to receive benefit from the CEDF.
As costs of photovoltaic equipment continue to drop, solar energy demand has surged on average of 23% annually over the last 20 years, with an expected 30 percent increase over the next 3 years.
Source: NEW YORK, NY -- (Marketwire) -- 02/25/10 --
by tim
In the third quarter of 2009, Vermont's gross state product went up 5.3 percent over the previous quarter. This increase ties Vermont with Washington, DC, at second place nationwide in terms of growth. New Hampshire saw a 3.8 percent climb this quarter, and sits at ninth place. The US average was 2.2 percent.
Vermont's quarterly real gross state product in this quarter, seasonally adjusted, was $23.8 billion at constant 2005 prices. In the second quarter, the state's GSP was $23.5 billion. Vermont's GSP dropped by a 0.1 percent annual rate in the third quarter from the same quarter a year ago.
Growth Across the Nation
Quarterly Gross State Product (GSP) Briefing, February 2010
Gross State Product (GSP)
Rank
Vermont GSP, Third Quarter of 2009
1
5.8
2
5.3
3
5.3
4
4.8
5
4.6
6
4.4
7
4.2
8
3.9
9
3.8
10
3.8
by tim
Governor Jim Douglas announced that Vermont, in partnership with Maine, has been awarded a five year, $11 million federal grant to help establish a national quality system for children s health care through Medicaid and Children s Health Insurance Program. This grant will be used to help states implement and evaluate provider performance measures, health information technologies such as pediatric electronic health records, and other quality improvement initiatives.
This is another important step forward for Vermont s health care reform efforts, said Governor Douglas. Improving the health and well-being of our children will save Vermonters money in the long run and, more importantly, keep our state the healthiest in the nation.
by tim
At just after 3 pm today, the Vermont Senate voted against relicensing the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant in Vernon by a vote of 26-4. The overwhelming vote against the plant included some Republicans who, while concerned about the economic and employment implications connected with the plant, as well as the process of moving the bill quickly through the Legislature, were also concerned by questions of safety of the plant and trust in its management.
Republican Senator Randy Brock of Franklin County was one of those who wanted more time to consider all the sides of the bill. But said with what he knows now, he was compelled to vote against the relicensing. Brock said that Entergy could not have done a worse job in trying to make its case.
by tim
Entergy Corporation today announced it has provided to Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell the results of its independent internal investigation into alleged contradictory or misleading information provided to the state government by company officials about underground piping at the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant.
The report, prepared by the law firm of Morgan Lewis and Bockius LLP, did not find that any Entergy Nuclear Vermont Yankee employees intentionally misled the Vermont Public Service Board, the Department of Public Service, a Public Oversight Panel assessing the plant's reliability as part of its application for renewal of its operating license, or a contracting firm working for the panel, Nuclear Safety Associates.
by tim
During the recent visit of USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to Vermont, dairy industry leaders from across the state came together to present a statement on behalf of dairy producers encouraging Secretary Vilsack to address the issues and challenges of the dairy industry.
The statement is in response to the volatile milk pricing system that dairy farmers are subject to. In 2009 dairy producers experienced the lowest prices paid for fluid milk in decades with costs of production at an all time high. This, coupled with the world recession, is threatening to cripple the dairy industry in Vermont and across the region.
by tim
The back-to-back winter storm system that is working its way across New England knocked out power to more than 20,000 CVPS customers last night and this morning, and the storm is expected to continue throughout the day. However, this is only the first wave of the storm, as another system with potentially damaging high winds is expected Thursday and into Friday. As of noon today, CVPS had 10,500 customers still without power. Crews are working as quickly as they safely can today to make repairs, but CVPS continues to take additional outages as the heavy snow keeps coming down. The Rutland-based utility said it has 30 outside contract tree and line crews either on site or on the way today, and is working to secure more in anticipation of the second wave of this storm coming tomorrow afternoon and into Friday.
Outages were scattered across the state, with Addison, Rutland, Windham, Windsor and Franklin counties hardest hit thus far.
by tim
In a joint statement, Sovernet Communications of Bellows Falls, Vermont and Power Shift of Stowe, Vermont, announced today that Sovernet is acquiring the broadband services division of Power Shift. The move promises to deliver seamless Internet access to Power Shift customers. Current Power Shift DSL customers will not see service interruptions and Power Shift customer service will continue to provide support throughout the transition.
We are excited to welcome Power Shift s broadband customers and look forward to building long term relationships with our neighbors in the Stowe, Morrisville and Hardwick areas, notes Richard Kendall, president of Sovernet Communications. This acquisition furthers our commitment and investment into the expansion of both our voice and data services throughout Northern New England.
by tim
Central Vermont Public Service today appealed for donations to CVPS Shareheat, saying matching funds remain available for the low-income emergency fuel assistance program, but donations are lagging.
“The economy has taken a toll on donations, no doubt about it,” CVPS spokesman Steve Costello said. “Thanks to our Shareheat business partners and shareholders, we still have $68,000 available to match contributions from the public, but those donations are coming in at a trickle.”
CVPS Shareheat began the winter campaign with $100,000 from CVPS shareholders and received more than $50,000 from a roster of business partners for the matching pool.
“Since the program began in 1987, donations have leveraged every dollar of matching funds available,” Costello said. “We hope that will be true this year too, but we have a long way to go.”
by tim
Senate Majority Leader John Campbell issued the following statement today regarding the Vermont Yankee debate and the timing of the Senate vote on the question of continued operation of the plant. The Senate is scheduled to vote tomorrow on the question of whether to relicense the nuclear power plant for another 20 years beyond its license expiration in 2010. Yesterday, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission confirmed that a tritium leak from an underground piping system was found in 2005.