News
The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources recently added nine species to the list of state threatened and endangered species. The listing included four plants, three bumble bees, one amphibian, and one bird. Three pollinators were listed - the rusty-patched bumble bee, yellow-banded bumble bee, and Ashton cuckoo bumble bee.
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) Wednesday announced $35,645 in funding to help counter the spread of white-nose syndrome (WNS) in Vermont, a disease that has devastated bat populations, posing a significant ecological threat across New England and the country.
The Public Service Department, pursuant to Act 41 of 2015, has taken over the assets and responsibilities formerly held by the Vermont Telecommunication Authority (VTA), which was officially dissolved on June 30. Broadband deployment initiatives will be spearheaded by connectivity specialists within the newly reorganized Division of Telecommunications and Connectivity.
Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger today joined the Burlington Electric Department (BED), Burlington International Airport (BTV), and Encore Redevelopment to formally unveil a 500 kW solar array atop the airport’s parking garage.
Three years ago the Vermont legislature unanimously passed the Universal Recycling law (Act 148), and its first major recycling milestone began Wednesday. To kick things off the Agency of Natural Resources has prepared a campaign to explain what the law is really about: “resimplifying recycling” for Vermonters.
Recipients of the 2015 Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence were announced and recognized at a ceremony at the State House Monday. Environmental excellence awards have been given since 1993 to recognize efforts and actions of Vermonters to conserve and protect natural resources, prevent pollution, and promote environmental sustainability.
The Department of Environmental Conservation’s Compliance and Enforcement Division today announced that it has formally settled an illegal open burning violation with Waitsfield farmer Douglas H. Turner. Mr. Turner operates an organic dairy farm under the business name of “Simplicity Farm”. The settlement includes the payment of a $5,000 penalty.
Governor Peter Shumlin today signed a proclamation declaring July 2015 as “Lakes Appreciation Month.” The proclamation states that lakes and reservoirs are “critical to Vermont’s environment and quality of life, providing sources of recreation, scenic beauty, and habitat for wildlife” and that ”maintaining the health of our lakes, ponds, and reservoirs is the responsibility of every citizen.”
New research published in the American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) has confirmed the International Bottled Water Association’s (IBWA) position that efforts to ban or restrict the sale of bottled can lead to increased consumption of less healthy beverages and plastic waste.
Vermont Business Magazine Howard Center management confirmed today that the agency’s Board of Directors have approved a two-year contract with Local 1674 of AFSCME Council 93, which represents 702 Howard Center direct care workers, 127 of whom are members of the union. The agency employs over 1,500 employees.
Today, the Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB) approved The University of Vermont Medical Center’s Certificate of Need (CON) application to build a new building to replace aging inpatient facilities. The $187.3 million project will be on the west side of the Medical Center Campus above the existing Emergency Department parking lot.
The Vermont Attorney General has entered into two more Assurances of Discontinuance with manufacturers to settle violations of Vermont’s Prescribed Product Gift Ban and Disclosure Law.