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Vermont's conservative financial ethos spares state, so far

Thu, 09/18/2008 - 8:00pm -- tim

Vermont's conservative financial ethos spares state, so far
By Kevin Kelley
The conservative financial practices of Vermont banks and of many individual Vermonters appear to have spared the state, so far, from the full impact of the financial crisis besetting much of the country.
Banks doing business in Vermont have "no liquidity problem," says state Banking Commissioner Thomas Candon.

"For qualified borrowers, there's no difficulty in obtaining credit in Vermont now."

Governor Announces 100 Free Home Energy Workshops

Wed, 09/17/2008 - 8:00pm -- tim

Vermonters have significant opportunities to save energy in their homes, and today Governor Jim Douglas, Hal Cohen, Executive Director of the Central Vermont Community Action Council, and Jim Grevatt, Director of Residential Energy Services for Efficiency Vermont, unveiled a new initiative to help Vermonters learn how to reduce their home energy use and save money. Button Up Vermont will work with local energy committees and other civic groups to offer free home energy saving workshops in 100 Vermont communities throughout the fall.

Vermont Receives Additional $2.5M in Contingency LIHEAP Funding

Wed, 09/17/2008 - 8:00pm -- tim

Today, Governor Jim Douglas announced that Vermont received nearly $2.5 million in additional contingency FY2008 funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The news came as the federal government released the remaining $120.7 million in LIHEAP contingency funding for FY2008 to all states.

Prior to this latest funding award, Vermont had received roughly $16.9 million in LIHEAP funding in FY2008. This new contingency award brings Vermont's total LIHEAP appropriation in FY2008 to nearly $19.4 million.

VT PSB Approves Expansion of Co-Op's Landfill Gas Plant

Wed, 09/17/2008 - 8:00pm -- tim

The Vermont Public Service Board has issued a Certificate of Public Good approving Washington Electric Co-op's proposed expansion of its landfill methane generating facility at the state's largest landfill in Coventry. The PSB's Order was issued on September 17th, and authorizes the addition of a fifth generating engine at the plant, as well as a small expansion of the building and other related modifications.

GMP endorses Vermont extending Quebec relationship

Tue, 09/16/2008 - 8:00pm -- tim

GREEN MOUNTAIN POWER'S CEO STRONGLY ENDORSES
THE CALL FOR A DEEPER, EXPANDED RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN VERMONT AND QUEBEC
BAR HARBOR, ME - September 16, 2008 - Mary Powell, president and chief executive officer of Green Mountain Power, issued the following statement from the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers 32nd Annual Conference:
"We are thrilled that Governor Douglas and Premier Charest have embraced the concept of a broader and deeper geo-political relationship between Vermont and Quebec.

Marlboro and Woodbury colleges awarded over $28,000 in grants for joint program

Tue, 09/16/2008 - 8:00pm -- tim

MARLBORO AND WOODBURY AWARDED OVER $28,000 IN GRANTS TO CONTINUE JOINT PROGRAM
Once again, two Vermont colleges are collaborating to help those who help others by offering a nonprofit management certification course. Starting this month, approximately 48 students will assemble at either Woodbury College in Montpelier or at the Marlboro College Graduate Center in Brattleboro for ten Friday workshops held over the next five months.

Otter Creek Awnings returns to Vermont ownerhsip

Tue, 09/16/2008 - 8:00pm -- tim

OTTER CREEK AWNINGS
RETURNS TO VERMONT OWNERSHIP
Otter Creek Awnings, started in a Middlebury basement in 1976, is now owned once again by a Vermonter. Todd Warren of Essex purchased Otter Creek in late August, returning the company known for Vermont values home to its roots. Warren, a Johnson State College graduate born in Burlington, Vermont, joined Otter Creek in 1997 as Director of Sales and Marketing and has served as company President since 2001.

Vermont Company Builds New Ballot Tool for Overseas and Military Voters

Tue, 09/16/2008 - 8:00pm -- tim

National Summit Participants Praise New Ballot as a Solution to Continuing
Problems for Americans Away from Home Who Want to Vote
Washington, D.C. - An estimated six million Americans who are members of the
military or live overseas have a new way to ensure their vote for president
counts this November, according to experts speaking at a high-level summit
on military and overseas voters. Attended by members of Congress,
secretaries of state and other election officials, "Democracy at a Distance:

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont to Bring Renowned Wellness Expert to Department of Health Conference

Tue, 09/16/2008 - 8:00pm -- tim

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont to Bring Renowned Wellness Expert to Department of Health Conference
Burlington, VT - The Vermont Department of Health will hold its 2008 Work Site Wellness Conference, part of the "Fit & Healthy Vermonters Program," on Tuesday, October 7 at the Hilton Hotel in Burlington. The appearance of noted wellness expert Michael Samuelson as conference keynote speaker is made possible by major sponsor Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont.

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters acquires Tully's Coffee Brand

Mon, 09/15/2008 - 8:00pm -- tim

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Announces Asset Purchase Agreement for Acquisition of the Tully's Coffee Brand and Wholesale Business
West Coast Acquisition to Accelerate GMCR's Geographic Expansion Plans
Company Intends to Leverage Full Potential of Complementary Tully's brand to drive Keurig(r) Single-Cup Brewing system penetration across North America

Group Urges Vermont Yankee License Renewal

Mon, 09/15/2008 - 8:00pm -- tim

Group Urges Vermont Yankee License Renewal
At PSB Hearing They Note that Plant's Power is Critical
for Vermont's Economy and Quality of Life
Montpelier, VT/September 15, 2008 - The Vermont Energy Partnership, a diverse group of more than 90 business, labor, and community leaders as well as individual energy experts today reiterated its strong support for the license renewal of the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station in Vernon.

Health Commissioner Establishes Rate Increases for Vermont Hospital Budgets

Mon, 09/15/2008 - 8:00pm -- tim

Health Commissioner Establishes Rate Increases for FY 2009 Vermont Hospital Budgets

Montpelier, VT -- Paulette J. Thabault, Commissioner of Banking, Insurance, Securities, and
Health Care Administration (BISHCA), announced that she has established the 2009 budgets for
Vermont hospitals. The hospitals testified about their budgets at public hearings held over a
three-day period before Commissioner Thabault and the Public Oversight Commission (POC).
The Vermont hospital fiscal year for 2009 runs from October 1, 2008 through September 30,
2009.

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