Vermont Business Magazine The Medicare Part D program pays far more than any other federal health program for prescription drugs, according to a report released today by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The report, “A Comparison of Brand-Name Drug Prices Among Selected Federal Programs,” commissioned by Senate Budget Committee Chair, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), found that on average Medicare Part D pays nearly three times more for brand-name drugs purchased at retail pharmacies than Medicaid.

Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Natural Resources, Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today that the Rutland County Solid Waste District was fined $37,000 for multiple violations of Vermont’s hazardous waste and solid waste management rules. Hazardous wastes are substances that contain chemicals that are corrosive, flammable, reactive or toxic, and have harmful effects on public health or on the environment. Many sectors create hazardous wastes in Vermont, including small and large businesses, municipalities, and even households.

Vermont Business Magazine Bee's Wrap LLC in Middlebury has been sold to an undisclosed, Vermont-based private investor. Financial terms of the sale, which was announced today, were not disclosed. Bee's Wrap is a leading producer of sustainable food wraps that serve as a natural alternative to plastic wrap. The company distributes its products through 3,000+ retail locations across the US and ecommerce channels and reaches over 40 countries across the world. Founder Sarah Kaeck will remain as CEO.

Vermont Business Magazine The Federal Nuclear Waste Policy Committee of the Vermont Nuclear Decommissioning Citizens Advisory Panel (VT NDCAP) will hold a Special Meeting on Monday, February 22, 2021, from 1 PM to 2 PM. In accordance with Vermont Open Meeting Law changes due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this meeting will be conducted as a Microsoft Teams webcast and teleconference. 

Vermont Business Magazine Motorists should brace themselves for even higher gas prices in the days ahead, enhanced by the extreme cold weather hitting much of the country. According to GasBuddy, the travel and navigation app used by more North American drivers to save money on gas, the national average price of gasoline may jump 10-20 cents per gallon from its current price of $2.54 per gallon over the next two weeks. Millions of barrels of refining capacity has gone offline due to the extreme cold in the South, with little relief on the horizon as overall gasoline demand continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.