Current News
by tim
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."
by tim
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.”
by tim
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.
by tim
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.
by tim
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.
by tim
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.
by tim
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.
by tim
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.
by tim
South Burlington, Vt. -- (May 8, 2008) -- Members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 300 recently participated in Green Up Day.
The Local 300 contingent, which included Jean Watkins, Matt Lash and electrical apprentices Willie Kasongo and Jared Titus, braved steady rain to pick up garbage along South Burlingtons Gregory Drive, Kimball Avenue, Shunpike Road and Williston Road on May 3. Kasongo and Titus received credit towards the yearly community service quota that all IBEW Local 300 apprentices are required to meet.
"Our members work just as passionately for the community as they do for their employers," said Watkins, IBEW Local 300s training director. "Giving back is part of the fabric of this union. Despite demanding job and classroom schedules, IBEW apprentices volunteer hundreds of hours each year."
by tim
May 7, 2008
The Honorable David A. Gibson
Secretary of the Senate
State House
115 State Street, Drawer 33
Montpelier, VT 05633
Dear Mr. Secretary:
Pursuant to Chapter II, Section 11 of the Vermont Constitution, I am returning S.373, An Act Relating to Full Funding of Decommissioning Costs of a Nuclear Plant without my signature because of my objections described herein.
The safety, reliability and affordability of the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station (the Yankee Station) are the most important issues related to its continued operation.
I remain unwavering in my commitment to ensuring Vermont's best interests are represented and that in every discussion of our energy future the safety and reliability of this facility come first. That is why I called for an independent safety assessment and look forward to signing legislation supporting a comprehensive audit of the Yankee Station.
by tim
Vermont's Innovative State Housing Authority Reaches 40-Year Milestone
Montpelier -- The Vermont State Housing Authority (VSHA) -- the first state housing authority within the continental U.S.A. -- is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2008.
Vermont broke new ground in 1968 when Gov. Philip Hoff approached the federal Agency of Housing and Urban Development with a new concept: a housing authority free to operate anywhere in the state where housing-assistance services for low-to-moderate-income residents were not available from a local authority. HUD officials in Washington extended their unanimous approval, and the Vermont State Housing Authority was created by an act of the Vermont Legislature on March 23, 1968. Other states have since followed Vermont's lead and established statewide authorities.
by tim
Honorary degrees will go to Bernd Heinrich, Lois McClure & Rev. Richard Myhalyk, SSE
Unity Dow, Botswanas first female high court judge, will address Saint Michaels College graduates at commencement May 15, 2008
Unity Dow, Botswanas first female High Court Judge, will be the principal speaker at the Saint Michael's College 2008 Commencement ceremonies. With a history of commitment to social justice, Saint Michaels College and its founding order of Edmundite priests are in sync with the philosophy of Justice Dow and her struggles for human rights and womens rights in Africa.
Justice Dow will address the 404 students expected to be present to receive bachelors degrees and the 54 who are expected to receive masters degrees, as well as faculty and staff and nearly 4,000 family members and friends assembled at the Saint Michaels College commencement exercises, Thursday, May 15, starting at 10 a.m. in the Ross Sports Center in Colchester, Vt.