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Highway construction soars more than $250 million in first quarter

Wed, 04/22/2009 - 8:29am -- tim

March contracts for future construction in Vermont and New Hampshire soared in March 2009 as the federal stimulus package brought hundreds of millions of dollars into the two states for highway and bridge construction, according to the McGraw Hill Construction reports. Vermont March transportation contracts were $275.2 million, with the total for the first quarter of 2009 up 1,311.1 percent to $292.1 million. The transportation total for the first quarter is slightly more than the total for all of 2008 or 2007. New Hampshire's March transportation contracts were $114.5 million.

Congress passes resolution honoring captain Phillips

Wed, 04/22/2009 - 8:03am -- tim

The US House of Representatives passed a resolution Wednesday morning honoring Captain Richard Phillips of Underhill, his crewmembers aboard the Maersk Alabama and the United States Navy personnel who secured his release.
The resolution was authored US Representative Peter Welch and was cosponsored by 87 Members of Congress. It passed on a voice vote.

Senate passes clean energy bill

Wed, 04/22/2009 - 7:52am -- tim

The Vermont State Legislature passed the Clean Energy Assessments District bill (S.54) on April 21. The passage of this bill reflects the growing want and need of Vermonters to individually help move the state forward by finding new ways to save energy and to create renewable resources and alternatives for energy in order to combat climate change. This bill will make it much easier and more affordable for Vermont property owners to tackle individual energy efficiency projects. Towns will be able to use any of their financing mechanisms to help make money available for property owners.

TD Banknorth settles shareholder lawsuit for $50 million

Wed, 04/22/2009 - 7:44am -- tim

Coughlin Stoia Geller Rudman & Robbins LLP, a leading plaintiffs' firm based in San Diego, has announced the firm has secured a settlement of $50 million in cash for a class of TD Banknorth, Inc shareholders. Plaintiffs in a related action previously attempted to settle the case for under $3 million, or $.03 per TD Banknorth share. This victory for shareholders provides members of the class with an exponentially greater recovery than the related action was poised to provide before plaintiffs City of Dearborn Heights (MI) Act 345 Police & Fire Retirement System and H.

KeyCorp reports first quarter 2009 loss of $488 million

Wed, 04/22/2009 - 5:25am -- tim

KeyCorp (NYSE: KEY) today announced a first quarter net loss attributable to Key of $488 million, or $1.09 per common share, compared to net income attributable to Key of $218 million, or $.54 per diluted common share, for the first quarter of 2008. The loss for the current quarter was primarily the result of an increase in the provision for loan losses and a noncash accounting charge for intangible assets impairment.

Green Mountain Coffee announces $800,000 in winning climate change proposals

Wed, 04/22/2009 - 4:36am -- tim

In honor of Earth Day, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters has announced winners of its challenege to find potential soucltions to climate change.  More than 100 nonprofit organizations submitted proposals to address climate change in four specific areas: threats to coffee-growing cummunites, transportation-related emissions, building political will, and empowering individual action.  The four winning nonprofits will each receive a $200,000 grant, payable over five years.

Treasurer's Office utilizes federal program to keep tax dollars at work

Tue, 04/21/2009 - 8:13am -- tim

In a move to keep Vermont tax dollars at work, the State Treasurer s Office has announced plans to make millions of dollars in short-term deposits available to area banks as a source of working capital. By utilizing a federal program designed to promote liquidity in the national economy, these deposits by the State will be fully guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or FDIC.

Vermonter to testify before House Committee on Energy and Commerce

Tue, 04/21/2009 - 8:09am -- tim

At the invitation of Rep. Peter Welch, Regulatory Assistance Project Director Richard Cowart will testify Thursday before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
The East Calais resident will be taking part in the first week of hearings on the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, a major climate change bill which includes legislation authored by Welch aiming to increase energy efficiency by 20 percent.

Shumlin outlines revenue package to close capital gains loophole and lower income taxes

Mon, 04/20/2009 - 12:32pm -- tim

Senate President Peter Shumlin has outlined a revenue package to the Senate Finance Committee that will close the Capital Gains loophole and lower Vermonters' income taxes.  The package includes many of the House's revenue provisions, increases cigarette, liquor and satellite taxes and closes the capital gains loophole to lower the marginal rates on all types of income for all taxpayers. Projected revenues from the package are roughly $25 million.  Vermont is only one of nine states that has the capital gains loophole in place.

Small Dog Electronics collects 150 tons of e-waste

Mon, 04/20/2009 - 9:56am -- tim

Early estimates indicate that Vermont based Apple retailer, Small Dog Electronics recycled 150 tons of e-waste at their third annual Earth Day E-Waste Event this year, and it didn’t cost the public a dime.Cars filled with old TVs, computers and electronic peripherals lined up as early as 8:00 am to recycle their electronics for free.  In the end, 100 volunteers unloaded 1,700 cars.   All of the electronics collected will be processed in the United States by WeRecycle! in one of their two processing plants in Connecticut and New York.

Vermont ranks as greenest state; baby boomer women most likely to exhibit green behaviors

Mon, 04/20/2009 - 7:25am -- tim

Pitney Bowes Business Insight, the leading global provider of location and communication intelligence solutions, and Earthsense, an applied marketing company, today released demographic insights into the top ten green US states. The research integrates information gathered with Pitney Bowes Business Insight geo-demographic solutions and Earthsense Eco-Insights green survey results. Vermont was ranked the greenest state, followed by Alaska and New Mexico.
Highlights of the research include:

First major 2010 Census operation to employ 650 in Vermont

Mon, 04/20/2009 - 6:50am -- tim

The US Census Bureau is launching a nationwide operation to verify and update more than 145 million addresses as it prepares to conduct the 2010 Census. In Vermont, approximately 650 people will carry out the operation.  It is the first publicly visible activity of the 2010 Census, and address-canvassing listers are expected to complete the canvassing by July 2.

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