by Julie Moore, Secretary, Agency of Natural ResourcesThe Legislature’s Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA) has been a centerpiece of the legislative session. It has become something of a rallying cry, an outlet even, for our collective concern and well-founded worry about our changing climate. Legislators have presented this bill as solving the climate crisis. Sadly, the bill provides little in the way of solutions.

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power is reaching out to customers to let them know they could qualify for free money from the State of Vermont that can help pay overdue utility bills tied to the pandemic. More than 23,000 GMP customers have balances older than 60 days for service after the pandemic began – mostly residential customers. Many utilities have voiced concern that the historic unemployment is resulting in crushing customer debt. At the beginning of the pandemic, Vermont instituted a moratorium on disconnects. Lawmakers created the Vermont COVID-19 Arrearage Assistance program using $8 million in federal COVID relief funds to help Vermonters pay overdue electric, telephone, water, and natural gas balances at least 60 days overdue that were caused by the pandemic.

​Vermont Business Magazine The only company in the world selling leaves – and the only company in the world selling leaf themed items. Hailing the magnificence of what the state itself calls the world’s best foliage. Founded in 2015, Vermont Leaf Company phoenix-ed from its old website September 1st with an all new expression; a significantly expanded product offering of distinguished leaf themed items (from pasta to apparel); celebrating Vermont leaves across all four seasons.

Vermont Business Magazine Rural Innovation Strategies, Inc (RISI), a Hartland, Vermont-based social enterprise advancing inclusive economic development in rural America, on Wednesday announced that two rural communities from across their Rural Innovation Initiative have secured Venture Challenge grants via the US Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) Build to Scale (B2S) program. The two successful grant applications came from Waterville, Maine and Platteville, Wisconsin. The value of the grants is nearly $2.3 million.

by Olivia Campbell-Andersen, Executive Director, Renewable Energy Vermont In the wake of this summer’s rolling blackouts in California and now devastating wildfires, the commentary by Mr John McClaughry of the Ethan Allen Institute not only denied the existence of the climate crisis, but falsely blamed renewable electricity – wind, solar, and hydro - for the power outages. In fact, to create an energy supply that will be resilient in the face of climate change, California and Vermont alike must hurry up and build a robust array of renewable energy and storage resources.