Current News

Ecopixel, a Web development and online visibility firm in Essex Junction, launched a new Web site in early October for the Vermont League of Conservation Voters (VLCV) in Montpelier.
Ecopixel designed a content management system-based site for the nonprofit association, which serves as the non-partisan political voice of the state's environmental community. The site (www.vlcv.org) features sortable environmental "scorecards" for Vermont legislators, up-to-date lists of endorsed candidates and an integrated e-newsletter system which allows Web visitors to register to receive news that affects their specific county or counties of interest. VLCV staff then tailor the e-mails sent to different counties for increased impact. An October e-mail and Web announcement of VLCV's 2008 environmental scorecard received a strong response rate, VLCV Executive Director Todd Bailey said.

Clean Technology Wood Boilers Presented by EPA at Vermont Event
When: Thursday, October 23, 2008
Public Open House: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Speaker Program: 10:30 am
What: Clean technology outdoor wood boilers will be on display at an event hosted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources. These agencies are encouraging people to replace old, dirty-burning wood boilers with more efficient heaters, like those manufactured by Greenwood Technologies.
Clean technology outdoor wood boilers produce up to 88 percent less smoke and are far more efficient.
CHANGEOUT INCENTIVES

VEDA, IN COOPERATION WITH EFFICIENCY VERMONT, LAUNCHES NEW BUSINESS ENERGY EFFICIENCY
LOAN PROGRAM
$1 Million in Low-Interest Loan Funds Available
Montpelier, VT - Effective immediately, the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA), in cooperation with Efficiency Vermont (EVT), is accepting applications from eligible Vermont businesses for loans to fund the cost of energy conservation projects certified as cost-effective by EVT. Up to $1 million is available in the new, low-interest Vermont Business Energy Conservation Loan Program.

Employers Receive Awards for Wellness at Work
Burlington A record 48 Vermont work sites received awards this month for their work site wellness programs. The awards, given annually by the Vermont Governors Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, honor employers that support staff access to physical fitness activities and promote good health on and off the job. The council and Governor Jim Douglas presented the awards at a Work Site Wellness Conference at the Hilton Hotel in Burlington on October 7.

groSolar Signs Exclusive North American Distribution Agreement
With Leading PV Inverter Manufacturer Motech Industries
San Diego, CA- groSolar, North America's premier provider of solar energy solutions, has announced an agreement with Motech Industries, Inc. of Taiwan. The agreement provides groSolar with the exclusive right to distribute Motech's industry-leading PV inverters to their expansive network of premium solar dealers across North America.

Institute for Sustainable Communities Launches $4 million U.S.-China Partnership

Chinese government delegation will visit Vermont on October 20
to tour energy-efficient facilities and sign an agreement with ISC.
ISC's program will reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions
in Guangdong province, China's 'Factory to the World.'
Montpelier, Vermont, October 20, 2008- Officials from the Guangdong Economic and Trade Commission are in Vermont today to sign an agreement with the Institute for Sustainable Communities, which has launched a $4 million U.S.-China partnership to reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in the southern province of Guangdong.

U.S Forest Service turns to Cow Power

People's United Financial Reports Third Quarter Earnings of $46 Million or $0.14 Per Share

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League of Conservation Voters Releases 2008 National Environmental Scorecard
Full Scorecard Available at http://www.lcv.org/scorecard
WASHINGTON, Oct. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The League of
Conservation Voters, which works to turn environmental values into national
priorities, today released the 2008 National Environmental Scorecard. For
30 years, the non-partisan National Environmental Scorecard from LCV has
been the nationally accepted yardstick used to rate Members of Congress on
conservation and energy issues.
LCV President Gene Karpinski announced the release of LCV's 2008
National Environmental Scorecard today, saying: "This scorecard reflects
more clearly than perhaps ever before that America is truly at a crossroads
when it comes to our energy future. In the face of gas prices that shot

Merchants Bancshares, Inc. Dividend Declaration and
Earnings Release Calendar
SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT-Merchants Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: MBVT), the parent company of Merchants Bank, announced today that its Board of Directors declared a dividend of 28 cents per share, payable November 13, 2008, to shareholders of record as of October 30, 2008. Merchants plans to release earnings on or about October 30, 2008.

Registration has begun for U.S. Senator Patrick Leahys annual Womens Economic Opportunity Conference, to be held on Saturday, October 25, on the campus of Vermont Technical College in Randolph Center. The conference is free and includes lunch and childcare. To register today for this free conference go to Senator Leahy's homepage at www.leahy.senate.gov.
This year's Women's Economic Opportunity Conference will focus on achieving professional goals while managing family, finance, and stress. The program includes engaging presentations on business, technology, life management, and stress elimination, all while focusing on how to simultaneously manage these many factors. The conference presenters have experience navigating the complexities of the Vermont business sphere, and offer valuable knowledge and understanding.

2008 Governor's Award Goes to Rob Mermin, Founder of Circus Smirkus
Montpelier, VT - Governor James H. Douglas and the Vermont Arts Council are pleased to announce that Rob Mermin, circus arts performer and founder of Circus Smirkus, will receive the 2008 Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts. The ceremony, which is open to the public, will take place on Friday, October 17th at the State House in Montpelier.
The Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts is presented annually to a Vermont artist who has achieved national or international stature for making a significant contribution to the advancement of his or her chosen art form. It is Vermont's highest honor in the arts.