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Gasoline prices to jump in 2021 as national economy mends from COVID

Thu, 01/07/2021 - 2:11pm -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine GasBuddy, the travel and navigation app used by more North American drivers to save money on gas, is predicting that 2021 may feature a sharp rally in gas prices by year end, warning that the national average could rise to as high as $3 per gallon should the nation broadly recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. While the risk exists for some pain at the pumps during the year, GasBuddy expects the yearly average will jump a more modest 27 cents per gallon in 2021. As of today, Vermont's average gas price was up 3 cents from a week ago to $2.25 a gallon. The US average was up 4 cents to $2.30.

Vermont auto insurance rates fall, now 10th lowest

Thu, 01/07/2021 - 11:36am -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine Auto insurance rates have fallen for the first time in over a decade — decreasing by 1.7 percent across the US for 2021. Vermont's fell 2.9 percent and ranks 10th lowest in US at $1,135, according to ValuePenguin.com's State of Auto Insurance in 2021 report published today. The rate decrease in 2021 is an anomaly caused by fewer Americans driving in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Less drivers on the road, and a steep reduction in claims, brings the average cost of Auto Insurance in 2021 to $1,636.

$1 million available for projects that diversify markets for wood from region

Thu, 01/07/2021 - 10:56am -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine The Future Forest Economy Initiative is investing $250,000 to enhance markets for certified wood and to strengthen the supply chain for wood in the Northern Forest region through a grant to the Trust to Conserve Northeast Forestlands (TCNEF). The three-year grant award will enable TCNEF to expand the ranks of certified Master Logger companies in the region, with a focus on New Hampshire, New York and Vermont. The Master Logger program improves logger performance, company financial stability, and workforce development and retention while increasing the supply of certified wood fiber.

VEC offers a range of energy transformation incentives for 2021

Thu, 01/07/2021 - 10:53am -- tim

​Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Electric Co-op is continuing to offer a wide variety of bill credits this year for members who purchase certain electricity-powered devices for their homes or businesses to transition away from fossil fuels. One important change from last year’s incentives is that VEC is partnering with Efficiency Vermont to offer a single point of purchase incentive for ductless heat pumps. The result is that members will get VEC’s incentive, combined with the Efficiency Vermont incentive, at the time they buy the heat pump instead of applying for the credit post-purchase. However, members who install heat pumps in buildings that meet thermal efficiency criteria can get another $150 bill credit directly from VEC.

Climate economy business accelerator seeks entrepreneurs for Energy 2021 cohort

Thu, 01/07/2021 - 10:20am -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine The DeltaClimeVT climate economy business accelerator seeks entrepreneurs for the Energy 2021 program. Startup ventures that focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions through energy-related products or services for residential and small business customers must submit applications for Energy 2021 by February 19, 2021. Selection will focus on companies that are entering or currently at a pilot or demonstration stage and planning for scale.

Governor Scott issues statement blaming Trump for riots

Wed, 01/06/2021 - 6:06pm -- tim

Governor Phil Scott on Wednesday issued the following statement: “This is a very disturbing time for our nation. What we are seeing today at the U.S. Capitol is not a peaceful protest – it is an unacceptable attack on our democracy. The rioters have actively assaulted police officers, and they should immediately evacuate the Capitol building or be removed. Make no mistake, the President of the United States is responsible for this event..."

VDH COVID-19 Update: Even if asymptomatic you can spread COVID

Wed, 01/06/2021 - 6:04pm -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported today that there were 106 new cases of COVID-19 and three more deaths. The VDH also said that you can spread the COVID-19 virus to others two days before you notice any symptoms, or even if you never develop symptoms. Our timelines can help determine when you might have been infectious, or when someone you were exposed to might have been infectious — the time when the virus can spread to others.

Welch calls for Trump's removal, a perilous time for American democracy

Wed, 01/06/2021 - 4:45pm -- tim

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine US Representative Peter Welch (D-Vermont) just concluded a telephone press conference (Wednesday 4:30 pm) in which he described the chaotic scene inside the Capitol, clear to those events on the news programs. He said he was safe and removed to a secure location. There are protocols for such an event, he said. He also said this is a perilous time for democracy in the United States and that, though he admitted it would be unlikely, that President Trump should be removed immediately for inciting this riot.

SVMC to hold Online COVID-19 information session Thursday

Wed, 01/06/2021 - 3:42pm -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), part of Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC), will conduct a digital information session regarding the COVID-19 vaccine at 1 pm on Thursday, January 7. The event is made possible with cooperation from CAT-TV and the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce. The session will feature SVMC’s Chief Medical Officer Trey Dobson, MD. The Chamber’s Executive Director Matthew Harrington will moderate.

UVM Medical Center enters fourth week of COVID-19 vaccinations

Wed, 01/06/2021 - 2:52pm -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine As Vermont enters the fourth week of administering COVID-19 vaccinations, the University of Vermont Medical Center continues to follow the federal government and State of Vermont plan to vaccinate health care workers identified for the first phase. The plan first called for Vermont hospitals to prioritize their providers and staff, EMS and Home Health & Hospice. This week marks an even greater shift to community-based providers, those not employed by hospitals. UVMMC has already vaccinated more than 6,000 people with about a third – or 2,000 – being community providers. UVMMC also has begun administering the second vaccine dose to those who have already received an initial Pfizer-BioNTech dose. Second doses of the Moderna vaccine will also be administered in the coming weeks.

Peck to acquire solar-powered EV infrastructure firm iSun Energy, change name

Wed, 01/06/2021 - 1:14pm -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine The Peck Company Holdings, Inc (NASDAQ: PECK), a leading commercial solar engineering, procurement and construction company based in South Burlington and Burlington-based iSun Energy LLC, a provider of innovative solar power, electric mobility and smart city solutions for government, commercial, retail, academic and data-center projects, announced Wednesday that they have entered into a binding term sheet under which Peck will acquire iSun in an all-stock transaction. Peck will change its name to iSun Energy and trade on Nasdaq under the ticker “ISUN” upon closing.

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