Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced continued progress towards the implementation of the Vermont Family and Medical Leave Insurance Plan (VT-FMLI). The Department of Financial Regulation approved the VT-FMLI insurance coverages and rates filed by The Hartford, a private insurance carrier who was selected to deliver and administer the program benefits. Phase 1 of the three-phased program goes into effect on July 1, 2023, when State employees are enrolled in the program.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) led colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm today, urging the Department of Energy (DOE) to consider Transmission Developers Incorporated’s (TDI) application for funding to develop the New England Clean Power Link The 1,000 MW project has received all required permits that allow it to bury two six-inch-wide cables an estimated 150 miles, all in Vermont. Approximately 100 miles are permitted to be buried under Lake Champlain and the balance buried underground in existing rights-of-way. The $1.6 billion merchant line will be privately financed and will not use taxpayer dollars. 

Vermont Business Magazine New England is expected to have sufficient resources to meet consumer demand for electricity this summer under typical weather conditions, according to ISO New England Inc, the operator of the region’s bulk power system and wholesale electricity markets. Tight supply margins could develop if forecasted peak system conditions associated with above average hot and humid weather occur. Under typical weather conditions, electricity demand is forecasted to reach 24,605 MW. Above-average summer weather, such as an extended heat wave, could push demand up to 26,421 MW. More than 30,000 MW of capacity is expected to be available.

Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (AAFM) is pleased to announce that the Farm Agronomic Practices (FAP) program is open now for applications from Vermont farms to support the installation of soil-based agronomic practices that improve soil quality, increase crop production, and reduce erosion and surface runoff. Farms are encouraged to apply now for funds to support the installation of field conservation practices this summer through next spring (July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024). The deadline to apply for rotational grazing payments is June 15, 2023. 

Representative Becca Balint “My bottom line will always be: how can I deliver the best results for Vermonters and the American people. After taking the time to ask the hard questions, I decided to vote “Yes” on this agreement to avoid default and the job loss and economic distress that comes with it."

Vermont Business Magazine The South Lake Champlain Fund at the Vermont Community Foundation has announced $33,431 in grants to six organizations in its 2023 competitive grant round. The awards will support research and educational projects concerning the southern portion of Lake Champlain. Projects include bird habitat management in the southern Champlain Valley, a Lake Champlain traveling map to be shared with local elementary and middle schools, and a maritime expeditionary learning program.

Vermont Business Magazine The State of Vermont is offering free admission to Vermont State Parks and Vermont State Historic Sites on June 10 and 11, 2023 as part of Vermont Days. In addition to free admission to Vermont State Parks and State Historic Sites, the Vermont History Museum in Montpelier will offer free admission on Saturday, June 10. There will also be several family-friendly events happening throughout the weekend. 

Vermont Business Magazine Observe science in action, as Audubon Vermont’s Mark LaBarr conducts a bird banding demonstration at Williston’s Catamount Community Forest. Commencing at 7:00 AM, Mark will employ mist nets to collect, measure, band, and release a variety of avian species and describe how that information is employed in research to enhance our understanding of birds. 

by Peter Sterling One of the proven ways to tackle the climate change crisis is to “electrifying everything.” From the cars we drive to how we heat our homes, we are moving away from polluting fossil fuels to electricity. Therefore, it is even more crucial that this electricity comes from cleaner, stably priced renewable sources. After all, it makes little climate sense to buy an electric car and power it with electricity generated by burning dirty oil or natural gas is often the case now in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine On May 31, 2023, the Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB) voted unanimously to uphold the two-year 8.6% net patient revenue target for Vermont hospitals. The vote was in response to a letter from the Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems (VAHHS), requesting that GMCB either increase the target or waive enforcement of the target for Vermont hospitals for the second year.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is forecasting moderate concentrations of fine particle air pollution from smoke to affect the state Wednesday through Friday. The particle pollution is the result of wildfire smoke from Nova Scotia, Canada. Wildfire smoke can cause a hazy or milky appearance in the sky and may be noticeable by smell at times. Wind patterns will likely transport plumes of smoke from these fires across much of the northeast, including Vermont. Air quality is expected to improve Friday when forecasted winds will push the smoke plumes out of the region.

Senator Bernie Sanders Let’s be clear. The original debt ceiling legislation that Republicans passed in the House would have, over a 10-year period, made savage cuts to programs that working families, the children, the sick, the elderly, and the poor desperately need. The best thing to be said about the current deal on the debt ceiling is that it could have been much worse. Instead of making massive cuts to health care, education, childcare, nutrition assistance, and other vital programs over the next decade, this bill proposes to make modest cuts to these programs over a 2-year period. This bill will also prevent an economic catastrophe by extending the debt ceiling until January 1, 2025 – when we will have to go through with this absurd process once again. Having said that, I cannot vote for this bill.