Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced the appointment of Jennifer Morrison as the commissioner of the Department of Public Safety (DPS). She will be the first woman to serve in the role, overseeing the State Police, Vermont Emergency Management, Vermont Crime Information Center, Forensic Lab, Division of Fire Safety and more. She joined the DPS in October 2020 as executive director of policy development and later deputy commissioner. She joined the Burlington Police Department as an officer in 1990 and advanced through the ranks, ultimately becoming deputy chief. In 2013, she accepted the position of chief of the Colchester Police Department, a role she held for five years before retiring. She returned to the Burlington Police Department in January 2020 as interim police chief.

Vermont Business Magazine iSun, Inc (NASDAQ: ISUN), a leading solar energy and clean mobility infrastructure company with 50-years of experience accelerating the adoption of innovative electrical technologies, today announced its ranking as one of the top solar contractors in the United States by Solar Power World, the industry’s leading source for technology, development and installation news. iSun was ranked 61st amongst all solar contractors, and 11th amongst all commercial & industrial EPC contractors in the United States. iSun’s residential brand, SunCommon, played a significant role in these rankings. SunCommon installed over 7400 kWh of energy storage in 2021, propelling iSun to a 24th place ranking in the solar and storage installation category.

Vermont Business Magazine Hikers and rock climbers can return to Vermont cliffs starting August 1, now that peregrine falcon nesting season has ended.  The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department has confirmed that all the young falcons have learned to fly and should not be disturbed by human presence on the cliffs. According to Audubon biologist Margaret Fowle, who coordinates the monitoring effort on behalf of the Fish and Wildlife Department, biologists and volunteers monitored peregrine pairs that occupied about 50 Vermont cliffs in early spring and summer.

by John McClaughry In its final week in session, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down four opinions that brought the wrath of the left down upon the six justices in the majority.  One expanded parental choice in education to sectarian schools, one ended New York’s arbitrary regulation on carrying firearms for self-defense, and one held that there is no constitutional right to abortion. The fourth one drew hostile fire from the anti-climate change movement: West Virginia v. EPA.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Congresswoman Alma Adams (D-NC), Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Susan Collins (R-ME), and Representatives Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) and David Rouzer (R-NC) announced their legislation, the LIFELINE Act, led to the publication of revised guidance by the Treasury Department that will unlock an additional $8 billion for affordable housing from the American Rescue Plan Act’s State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund.