Current News

Vermont Business Magazine ISO New England has joined with two other power grid operators in support of a proposal from eight Northeast states to facilitate the clean energy transition through enhanced transmission planning across regional borders. The officials said the proposed partnership between DOE, the states, and the three affected Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs) could help “strengthen our power grid, drive down consumer costs, and accelerate the deployment of clean energy,” particularly offshore wind.

Vermont Business Magazine As many Vermonters head for the water this Fourth of July weekend, it’s a good time to know what cyanobacteria blooms look like so you can avoid them. Cyanobacteria blooms can be harmful to your health and have already closed some beaches recently. Cyanobacteria (sometimes called blue-green algae) are tiny microorganisms that are a natural part of fresh water ecosystems. Under certain conditions, cyanobacteria can multiply quickly, creating blooms on the water’s surface that can also wash up along shorelines. Blooms can produce toxins harmful to humans and animals. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation is issuing an air quality alert for Vermont beginning at 10 AM on Thursday, June 29, 2023 through midnight. Wildfire smoke from Quebec is expected to elevate concentrations of fine particles to code Orange or Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (i.e. people with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children) on the Air Quality Index. Particle pollution may be Moderate on the Air Quality Index for the morning hours and worsen later in the day.

Vermont Business Magazine To provide cleaner transportation options for residents to curb greenhouse gas emissions and meet daily trip needs, the State of Vermont has re-opened the nation’s first statewide incentive program that offers pre-paid vouchers for electric bicycle (e-bike) purchases. The Vermont eBike Incentive Program, which first launched last July, is a limited-time offering available to income-eligible Vermonters on a first-come, first-served basis. Starting now, incentives will be available until the $150,000 in funding authorized this year is exhausted.

Vermont Business Magazine Coombs Family Farms, a seventh-generation producer of pure and organic maple and the number one organic maple brand, today announced it has completed the transition to 1,200 solar panels on the rooftops of its production facility for final grid interconnection to a 500 kW AC system. Annually, the system is expected to generate over 760,000 kWh, or roughly enough energy to provide 105 homes with electricity per year. The energy will cover more than 75 percent of Coombs Family Farms’ annual electric needs for production.

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power (GMP) can help you save with rebates up to $3,200 when you switch to an electric vehicle (EV), and you can learn more when you join GMP experts at two upcoming events to ask questions and test drive EVs. And, GMP just extended its EV rebates through September, as they were set to expire at the end of June. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department says many people are having problems with bears looking for food near their homes, and with the food scrap ban in effect the department is providing tips for people who are composting at home so they can avoid attracting hungry bears.  If you know bears are active in your neighborhood, the best way to avoid attracting them is to take food scraps to one of the drop-off stations.

Vermont Business Magazine Trying to figure out Vermont fishing regulations?  Wondering what kinds of fish are in a lake?  Looking for new fishing tips?  The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is offering “Fish with a Warden” sessions to help with questions like these. The Fish with a Warden sessions will last an hour or more.  Participants need to have their fishing license and bring their own fishing equipment.  The state park day use fee has been waved for the duration of the program for participants that have registered in advance.  

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) joined United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Representative Becca Balint (D-VT) in Waterbury for an event highlighting the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to ensuring everyone is included in the green energy transition. The event was hosted at SunCommon, a Vermont-based Certified BCorp and the state’s largest solar energy installer.  

Vermont Business Magazine Today, AARP Vermont announced six organizations throughout the state will receive 2023 Community Challenge grants – part of the largest group of grantees to date with $3.6 million awarded among 310 organizations nationwide. Grantees will implement quick-action projects that help communities become more livable by improving public places; transportation; housing; digital connections; diversity, equity and inclusion; and more, with an emphasis on the needs of adults age 50 and older. 

Vermont Business Magazine At approximately 10:15 am today, a construction excavator struck a natural gas main in the vicinity of 105 Carrigan Drive on the campus of the University of Vermont. The incident initiated an emergency response from Burlington Fire Department, University Police Services, and Vermont Gas Systems. A secondary response involved UVM Physical Plant and Environmental Services.

Vermont Business Magazine Continuing ThrED, Inc. at Fourbital Factory has been awarded a $20,231 Registered Apprenticeship grant from the Vermont Department of Labor’s Workforce Development Division. The grant will provide support for the administration of the program and assist with the purchase of equipment necessary to implement Fundamentals of Industrial Sewing and Production (FISP) courses as part of Fourbital Factory’s Industrial Sewing Registered Apprenticeship Program.