Vermont Business Magazine A Franklin County ice angler was charged Monday after harvesting and possessing a muskellunge (muskie) caught in Lake Champlain. Vermont State Game Wardens received numerous tips that the individual had posted photos on a social media platform displaying the large muskie with other fish caught over the weekend.
Vermont Business Magazine Good news has emerged about phosphorus load reductions into Lake Champlain, and Mill River Brewing BBQ & Smokehouse (MRB) is set to celebrate the data — and continue work on its Clean Water Campaign — with the 1st Annual Clean Water Ice Fishing Derby to benefit the Friends of Northern Lake Champlain (FNLC).
Leonine Public Affairs The tension between Republican Governor Phil Scott and Democrats in the legislature continued this week with Scott’s veto of S.23, a bill that would raise the minimum wage to $12.55 by January 1, 2022. In vetoing the bill the governor criticized it for what he believes will be a negative impact on job growth and employers, particularly in rural areas. The Senate was swift to respond, and on Thursday voted to override the veto by a vote of 24-6.
by Tim Briglin (D-Thetford Center) Chair of the House Energy & Technology Committee Building more resilient communities and transitioning to locally-sourced clean energy isn’t just good climate policy, it’s good economic policy. Vermont has made strides toward a green energy economy, but there’s much more to do. The Global Warming Solutions Act holds our state accountable to achieving targeted greenhouse gas emission reductions, supporting rural resilience to climate change, and ensuring that the benefits of a clean energy economy are broadly shared.
Burlington Department of Public Works We would like to share a general update as people are preparing for their day about the precautionary boil water advisory that has been issued through most of Burlington and a very limited part of South Burlington. A water main break on a 16” (large) main at 339 Pine Street led to a depressurization in a significant part of our distribution system. To comply with recent state requirements and out of an abundance of caution, we have issued this precautionary boil water advisory.
Vermont Business Magazine Sugarbush Resort, in partnership with Protect Our Winters (POW), is hosting an open forum on climate change and related issues facing the snow sports industry. The forum, titled The Future of Snow, is scheduled for 6:00 PM on Saturday, February 22nd in the Gate House Lodge at Lincoln Peak.
by Tom Hughes Later this spring, Governor Phil Scott will have the opportunity to strengthen the economy, promote equity, and protect the environment by joining the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI). If Gov. Scott refuses to join our regional neighbors in the fight against climate pollution, it is very likely that Vermonters will pay higher prices for fossil fuels without receiving any of TCI’s investment benefits.
Lori Fisher, Executive Director, Lake Champlain Committee In this issue of Enews we share some recent legislative initiatives (including a call to action on climate change for Vermont members), introduce you to Director of Science & Water Programs Lauren Sopher (read her Lake Look column about Lakeshore Grasslands below) and let you know of some funding that will assist our Trail and field projects. Please read on for those updates along with clean lake tips, nature notes and water news from near and far.
Vermont Business Magazine Four Seasons Sotheby's International Realty has announced that it again retained the #1 Ranking for Luxury Property sales in Vermont. The company reported its results based on its ongoing success with residential sales priced over $1 million. According to Vermont multiple listing service data, Four Seasons Sotheby's International Realty closed 38 transaction sides totaling $64 million in property value.
Vermont Business Magazine VGS (Vermont Gas Systems) today filed an overall rate increase request of 2.9 percent beginning in November 2020. The proposal, which needs approval from the Public Utility Commission (PUC), would mean the average residential customer would pay just under $3 more per month. VGS' rates are approximately 6 percent lower than the New England average.
Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation announced today that Bennington College Corporation will pay $15,750 for mismanaging hazardous waste on its Bennington campus in violation of Vermont’s Hazardous Waste Management Regulations. DEC inspected the Bennington College campus in May 2019 and observed violations of Vermont’s Hazardous Waste Management Regulations related to proper signage, storage and labeling of hazardous waste materials in different locations across campus.
Vermont Business Magazine Weekly unemployment claims have shown a slow, steady decline since the beginning of the year, after the wild swings typical of the holidays. Initial claims for the week of February 8, 2020, were 475, which is typical for this time of year. Claims fell 6 from last week and were 25 fewer than they were at this time last year.