Vermont Business Magazine Burlington Electric Department (BED) issued a peak alert for today/Monday, August 8 as part of its Defeat the Peak program launched during summer 2017, encouraging members of the Burlington community to reduce their energy usage from 5-7 pm today. Burlingtonians can lend a hand by taking the following steps on what is projected to be an unusually hot summer day: Raise thermostat temperatures or turn off air conditioners between the hours of 5:00 and 7:00pm before returning air conditioners to cooler settings; Wait until after 7 pm or later to use washing machines, clothing dryers, dishwashers, and other appliances; Turn off non-essential lights until 7 pm and later; Avoid charging electric vehicles until after 7:00pm (or until 10 pm if you are on BED’s special off-peak charging rate); and Delay other discretionary electric consumption until after 7 pm.

Vermont Business Magazine Today Secretary of State Jim Condos encouraged Vermont voters to have a voting plan for the Tuesday, August 9th Statewide Primary Election. Studies have shown that making a specific plan, including determining how and when a voter will get to the polls, makes it much more likely that a person will follow through. All Vermont polls must open by 10am, and must close at 7pm. Voters should check mvp.vermont.gov or directly with their Town or City Clerk to verify their polling place location and opening time.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont gasoline prices fell another 6 cents last week to an average of $4.41 per gallon today, according to GasBuddy. Prices have fallen 36 cents in the last month but are a $1.34/g higher than one year ago. Prices are falling nationally faster than in Vermont. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 15.8 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $4.01/g today.

Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets Vermont is opening up its working farms and businesses to visitors this summer. This comes as Governor Phil Scott declares August as Agritourism Month in Vermont. The combination of these two industries is important to Vermont’s working landscape and the state’s economy. There will be dozens of on-farm activities in every corner of the Green Mountains this summer, giving the public the opportunity to engage in authentic experiences and see how Vermont’s food is grown, raised, and produced.

Senator Patrick Leahy “The Senate’s historic vote today represents a stark choice between two divergent views. The first, that we must do all we can to help American families, our seniors, and our economy.  The second, that we should ignore the soaring costs of healthcare – and of particular prescription drugs – and the existential threats of climate change.  The choice could not be clearer, and yet it is mired in partisan politics. Today the Senate advanced a once-in-a-generation bill to meaningfully address the real threats of climate change.  It addresses the exorbitant price of prescription drugs.  And, despite claims to the contrary, it is poised to reduce the deficit.