Current News

by John McClaughry Up to now criticism of the Clean Heat Standard bill (S.5) has focused on its intended result of driving up prices of heating oil, propane, kerosene and natural gas somewhere from seventy cents to four dollars a gallon, in order to finance $2 billion worth of subsidies to people to quit using those fuels and install “cold climate heat pumps”, “advanced wood heat”, and home weatherization. The bill is built upon a complex “credit” system managed by the unaccountable Public Utility Commission, designed to shield the law from the charge of being a carbon tax – although it will have precisely the same effect on consumers. The two largest corporate cheerleaders for the CHS are Vermont Gas Systems (VGS), the regulated monopoly that controls natural gas delivery, and Green Mountain Power (GMP), the state’s largest electricity supplier. Both are owned by the Quebec energy giant Energir.

by Devon Green, VP of Government Relations On Friday evening, the Senate Appropriations Committee wrapped up their work on the FY 24 budget, and passed it out of their committee unanimously. This truly signals the ramp up to the end of the session, where we expect to see child care and paid family leave as some of the biggest initiatives for the House and Senate to hash out. They include: Workplace Violence; APS Bill; Shield Laws; among others.

Vermont Business Magazine St Johnsbury’s Barrett Insurance Agency has officially awarded a $10,000 donation to Northeast Kingdom Cancer Action Network, Inc. (NEKCAN), a local organization dedicated to providing grants to those fighting cancer while raising awareness and supporting cancer research in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. The $10,000 award will help NEKCAN provide direct monetary support to individuals being treated for cancer in the Northeast Kingdom (Caledonia, Orleans, and Essex in Northern Vermont counties). This includes paying for gas for patients to drive to and from treatment, purchasing heating oil for their tanks to keep warm in the winter, covering the cost of groceries and so much more.

Vermont Business Magazine Rutland Regional Medical Center has announced the return of the Green Mountain Gala on Saturday, May 20 after a three-year hiatus. The gala, which will be held at the Southside Steakhouse in Rutland, is the hospital’s signature fundraising event. The event features fabulous food, including hand-crafted tapas and cuisine stations, as well as dancing to one of Vermont’s hottest bands, A House on Fire. Proceeds from the evening will support expanding infusion services at Rutland Regional.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont recently announced the three commissioners of its Truth and Reconciliation Commission, a group tasked with examining issues of racism, discrimination, and eugenics in state laws and policies, both historically and today. As members of a marginalized community with homelands in what is now known as Vermont for more than 12,000 years, the Abenaki Alliance supports the intention of the Commission and stands with the commissioners as they embark upon a journey of research, review, and policy recommendations over the next three years.

Vermont Business Magazine On Wednesday, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) will host its annual Cancer Action Day, where dozens of advocates will convene at the State House to meet with lawmakers and urge them to end the sale of menthol cigarettes and all flavored tobacco products. Advocates and lawmakers will also have a chance to enjoy local Vermont ice cream with the pressing reminder that flavors belong in candy and ice cream – not tobacco. This year is particularly meaningful, as it marks the first-time advocates have been able to return to the State House since the start of the pandemic.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) Board of Commissioners announced last week that its annual award of federal housing tax credits will support the construction of 112 homes in perpetually affordable apartment buildings in four communities across the state. The sale of this year’s tax credits to investors is expected to yield over $28 million in funds covering an estimated 60 percent of total project development costs. These housing construction projects will take place in a uniquely challenging environment. Elevated development costs, interest rates and housing needs among Vermonters heavily influenced project planning. The cost of developing a unit of rental housing in Vermont has increased 36% since 2018. They will be located in Putney, West Rutland, St Johnsbury and Burlington.

Vermont Business Magazine The latest season of America’s favorite treasure hunt, Antiques Roadshow, concludes with three brand new hours of exciting local finds filmed in Vermont last summer at Shelburne Museum. Antiques Roadshow came to Shelburne Museum on July 12, 2022, with more than 3,000 visitors arriving to have their family heirlooms and flea market finds appraised in a day-long event. The day of filming resulted in three episodes in the Green Mountain State, which will premiere nationally on PBS stations on Monday, April 24, May 1, and May 8, at 8 p.m., including Vermont Public.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) today announced the second round of approved Community Recovery and Revitalization Program (CRRP) grant applications for projects that spur economic recovery. The program, administered by the Department of Economic Development (DED), aims to strengthen communities across the state by reversing the harm caused by the COVID-19 pandemic through assistance with capital investments that will help businesses, nonprofits, and municipalities to recover, retain existing jobs, and grow the economy. Twenty-three projects have been reviewed by an interagency committee and approved for round two funding, resulting in a proposed award amount of $9,541,195, which is expected to support $92,206,478 in total project costs.

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont as of Sunday were $3.56 per gallon, up 8.2 cents per gallon from last week's $3.48/g, according to GasBuddy. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $3.35/g while the highest was $3.69/g, a difference of 34.0 cents per gallon. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 0.8 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.64/g. The national average is up 22.8 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 46.4 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

Vermont State Police On Saturday, at approximately 3:38 pm, troopers from the Williston Barracks responded to the area of Route 7, south of Church Hill Road in the town of Charlotte, for a report of a crash involving a motorcycle and a passenger car. Medical personnel arrived on scene and determined that the operator of the motorcycle, Timothy Williams, 34, of Essex, VT, was deceased on the scene. One occupant of the involved passenger car reported minor pain and was transported to the UVMMC for evaluation as a precaution. Initial investigation and witness statements gathered on scene indicated that Williams was traveling northbound on Route 7 well in excess of the posted 50 MPH speed limit when his motorcycle struck the back of vehicle #2, also traveling northbound.