Current News

National Life Group Announces Major Solar Project

Montpelier, Vermont - National Life Group has announced that it will install 240 solar panels on the roof of its Montpelier headquarters in what will be one of the largest, if not the largest, solar electric installations in the state of Vermont.

The $500,000 project calls for the installation of 240 300-watt solar panels on the roof of the financial services company. The 77 kW photovoltaic (PV) system will generate enough electricity to power 13 average Vermont homes.

The project will be financed in part through a $200,000 grant from the state of Vermont's Clean Energy Development Fund, administered by the state Department of Public Service.

Thomas H. MacLeay, National Life's chairman, president and chief executive officer, said the project is a critical element of the company's years-long green initiative.

Secretary of Administration Smith retiring, Lunderville to take over

State Awards over $2 Million for Clean Energy Projects

Montpelier, Vermont - The State of Vermont announced today that the Department of Public Service (DPS) will award $2.28 million from the Clean Energy Development Fund (CEDF) for projects throughout the state. The goal of the CEDF is to increase the development and deployment of combined heat and power (CHP) technologies and renewable energy generation.

"Vermonters are innovators, whether in the workplace or in the home," said Governor James Douglas. "My administration has worked diligently with stakeholders and legislators to encourage the development of clean and renewable sources of energy. Although we are fortunate to have a very clean and reliable energy portfolio, we can always do more. Renewable energy resources will continue to play an important role in Vermont's Energy Future," Governor Douglas said.

Temporary Delays Planned for Interstate 91
MONTPELIER – The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) beginning May 19 will conduct a series of temporary delays along Interstate 91 just south of the I-89/I-91 interchange so that work crews can set beams for a new bridge that will cross over the roadway.
The bridge is being constructed by the Greater Upper Valley Solid Waste District, who is erecting the structure so trucks can access a new landfill from Route 5 in Hartford.
Delays along the Interstate will affect travel both north and southbound for two days and last about 15 minutes each. The first closure will begin at 9 a.m. Monday, May 19. Motorists wishing not to be delayed should seek alternate routes.
The schedule is as follows:
· Monday, May 19 at 9:00 a.m. Northbound.
· Monday, May 19 at 10:00 a.m. Northbound.
· Monday, May 19 at 11:00 a.m. Southbound.
· Monday, May 19 at 1:00 p.m. Southbound.

Green Mountain Power Proposes "Solar Rates''
to Spur Vermont's Solar Energy Market
COLCHESTER, Vt. --- Green Mountain Power Corp on May 15, 2008, announced a groundbreaking new approach to accelerate the adoption of solar energy by Vermont homes and businesses.
In a request for a new service filed with the Vermont Public Service Board today, Green Mountain Power proposed the adoption of solar net metered electric rates, which are designed to make solar energy an important part of Vermont's mix of cleaner energy sources.
Green Mountain Power Chief Operating Officer Mary Powell said renewable energy sources like solar must play an increasing part in Vermont's energy future.
"This proposal will make solar energy more attractive to homeowners and businesses in Vermont," Ms. Powell said. "We are doing everything we can to encourage the adoption of solar energy. It is good for Vermont economically and environmentally."

Transportation Enhancement Grants Now Available
MONTPELIER – The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) is now accepting funding applications for 2009 Transportation Enhancement projects.
The Agency will award about $3 million to municipalities, non-profits, and State and Federal agencies that can be used to enhance Vermont’s transportation system in twelve broad categories.
Grant awards will be made in the $10,000 to $300,000 range. Projects require a 20 percent local match and must have a strong transportation connection, but they cannot be roadway projects or maintenance activities.
“All towns, cities and non-profit agencies operate with limited financial resources,” said VTrans Secretary Neale Lunderville. “The transportation enhancement grant program is a great opportunity for them to acquire funding for projects that otherwise they could not afford.”

Leahy Ensures That Vermont
Is A Big Winner In New Farm Bill –
Major Boosts For State’s Dairy,
Organic,
Anti-Hunger And Lake Champlain Priorities

WASHINGTON (Wednesday, May 14) -- Vermont’s clout in agriculture
policy again is paying big dividends as Congress races to finish work on a new
bipartisan five-year Farm Bill. The House Wednesday passed the newly
negotiated Farm Bill by a veto-proof vote of 318 to 106, and the Senate has set
its vote on the bill for Thursday. The Senate is also expected to pass
the bill with more than enough votes to override a threatened presidential
veto.

The new Farm Bill advances key Vermont agriculture, anti-hunger and
environmental priorities championed by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), the most
senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee of either party, who was a
principal architect and negotiator of the bill.

Welch's bill to reduce fuel prices passes House
Bill compels President Bush to suspend shipments to Strategic Petroleum Reserve
Washington, DC -- The U.S. House passed legislation authored by Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) Tuesday requiring the Bush Administration to temporarily suspend shipments to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) as a short-term action to lower gas prices for consumers.
The Strategic Petroleum Reserve Fill Suspension and Consumer Protection Act of 2008, H.R. 6022, sponsored by Welch, Nick Lampson (D-TX) and Edward Markey (D-MA), directs President Bush to suspend shipments to the SPR through the end of the year or until prices drop below $75 per barrel. This action could reduce gas prices by 5 to 24 cents per gallon, according to experts.
The legislation cleared the U.S. House as gas prices reached a record high of $3.73 per gallon.

The U.S. Army Joint Munition and Lethality Life Cycle Management Command has awarded General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products a contract to develop a Lightweight .50 Caliber (12.7mm) Machine Gun (LW50MG) weapon system. The $9 million contract will fund development of the gun and system components such as the tripod, vehicle adapter assembly and Blank Firing Adapter (BFA). General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).
The LW50MG has significantly less recoil and is lighter than current weapons. It will be easier for warfighters to carry and will provide them with the potential for increased accuracy and lethality in combat.
Production and fabrication work will be performed at the General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products facility in Saco, Maine, with development work performed at the company's technology center in Burlington, Vt.

MONTPELIER-The first road surface repair project under Operation Smooth Ride, the Vermont Agency of Transportation's $3 million supplemental spring paving program, will commence on Wednesday, May 14.
Paving crews on Wednesday will be in Colchester to repair 2.4 miles of Route 2A, a heavily-traveled roadway in Chittenden County that received significant damage as a result of last winter's severe weather conditions.
"The asphalt plants are up and running, and we are excited to get Operation Smooth Ride underway," said Agency of Transportation Secretary Neale Lunderville. "Damaged roadways all around the state will be receiving treatment over the next few weeks."
Governor Jim Douglas in March instructed VTrans to develop a special $3 million program that will improve the condition of selected state and Class 1 town highways that incurred some of the worst damage caused by this year's extreme winter. The Legislature endorsed the Governor's proposal.

MONTPELIER, Vt.-Vermont State Treasurer Jeb Spaulding announced today that the Vermont Pension Investment Committee has issued a request for proposals soliciting investment opportunities intended to support economic and community development in Vermont. This is the second year that VPIC has requested such proposals, after adopting a policy on economically targeted investments in 2006. VPIC oversees more than $3 billion in retirement funds for Vermont teachers, state employees, and municipal employees.
According to Spaulding, this initiative is unrelated to the recent debate in the Legislature regarding a proposal by Governor Jim Douglas to require that Vermont's pension fund managers buy Vermont Housing Finance Agency bonds. The 2006 economically targeted investment policy passed by VPIC requires an annual request for proposals.

Waterbury, Vt.-A website created to inform mothers across the nation about the quality of healthcare in each state recently ranked Vermont first in the nation for maternal and early childhood health.
MomScore, an interactive tool that presents moms and moms-to-be with relevant, comprehensive data about maternal health in their states, was created by RevolutionHealth.com, a leading comprehensive health and medical information site.
The website reviewed over 50 quality indicators of maternal and infant health from federal and state government sources, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the United States Census Bureau, and leading non-profit organizations such as the Kaiser Family Foundation and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. In consultation with clinical and public health policy experts, they identified ten key indicators of maternal and early childhood health.