Vermont

Says EPA Waiver Denial Is ‘Legally and Factually Unsound’

January 24, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Vermont Governor Jim Douglas today urged Congress to hold the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency accountable to the Clean Air Act.

Testifying before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, Douglas said Vermont is a leader among the 12 states that have adopted California’s tough tailpipe emissions standards and in 2005 was the first state to sign on to California’s amendments.    » read more »

January 23, 2008 - Vermont Attorney General William H. Sorrell announced today that he has joined with the Attorneys General from 16 other states, the Corporation Counsel for the City of New York, and the City Solicitor for Baltimore in sending a letter to Stephen L. Johnson, Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to urge EPA to act in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Massachusetts v. EPA. Click here to view the letter.    » read more »

January 23, 2008 -- BURLINGTON – The Vermont Department of Health reported the first laboratory-confirmed case of influenza in the state on Friday, Jan. 18.

“The first laboratory-confirmed case of influenza does not mean that the flu has not been present in our state before now,” said Cort Lohff, MD, state epidemiologist for the Vermont Department of Health. “Flu season is inevitable. Vermonters should take every precaution to avoid getting sick or spreading the flu to other people. And it is not too late to get your flu shot.”    » read more »

January 23, 2008 -- BURLINGTON – The Vermont Department of Health is warning consumers about a product recall of all canned green beans and garbanzo beans distributed by New Era Canning Company during the past five years, due to possible Clostridium botulinum (C. botulinum) contamination.

The products were distributed nationwide.

No one, to date, has been reported ill. The recall is the result of a routine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspection.    » read more »

BURLINGTON, January 16 – U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders and Patrick Leahy and Congressman Peter Welch announced the release of $450 million in home heating emergency funds, including $3.9 million for Vermont.

As prices for home heating fuel soar to record highs this winter, Sanders has introduced legislation, cosponsored by Leahy, which would increase funding for the Low Income Home Heating Assistance Program by another $800 million. Welch introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House.    » read more »

Audit calls Douglas initiative ‘a model for large basin analysis and implementation design’

January 15, 2008 -- MONTPELIER, Vt. – Vermont Governor Jim Douglas’ Clean and Clear Action Plan is earning high marks for its water-quality efforts, including several programs that are considered national models for watershed management.    » read more »

January 09, 2008 -- WATERBURY, VT -- A 58-year old sportsman is the lucky winner of a Vermont lifetime hunting and fishing license.

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department held its 15th annual License of a “Lifetime Lottery” at the December 19 meeting of the Fish & Wildlife Board in Montpelier. A lifetime hunting and fishing license is awarded to one person per year.

Erwin C. Hodge of Londonderry, VT won the license in a drawing of 481 applicants.    » read more »

Public Hearings Scheduled Beginning Jan. 29

January 09, 2008 -- Waterbury, VT – The 2008 ice fishing season is just getting under way, and anglers who fish with minnows are hearing about Vermont’s new emergency baitfish regulation enacted to protect Vermont fisheries.

The emergency regulation was put into place temporarily to allow time for the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board to enact a permanent regulation that will replace the emergency regulation. Hearings to gather public input and comment on the proposed permanent regulation will be held in late January and early February.    » read more »

January 07, 2008 -- WATERBURY – Vermont Emergency Management would like to remind homeowners to be aware of snow loads on the roofs of their homes due to forecasts calling for warm, wet conditions. There is a fear that these conditions can lead to roof collapses.    » read more »

January 07, 2008 -- WATERBURY, VT – Vermont 2008 hunting, fishing and trapping licenses are now available for purchase online and at license agents throughout the state.

Licenses may be purchased on Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com). Hunting and trapping licenses are not available online for first-time license buyers due to Hunter safety and trapper education course requirements.    » read more »

January 6, 2008 -- MANCHESTER, NH -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced that Governor James H. Douglas (R-VT) has endorsed John McCain in the New Hampshire Primary.

"John McCain is a principled leader whose character, judgment and experience make him the best prepared to lead this country on day one," said Governor Douglas. "John McCain is a reformer who is willing to stand up for taxpayers and against the special interests. I am proud to support his candidacy."    » read more »

January 2, 2008 - Vermont Attorney General William H. Sorrell announced today that Vermont and 14 other States are seeking to join a lawsuit filed by the State of California in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to overturn the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) denial of California’s request for approval of its greenhouse gas emission standards for new motor vehicles.    » read more »

January 02, 2008 -- Montpelier, Vt. – Vermont Governor Jim Douglas today announced that Vermont will join with California in suing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for blocking the state's plan to limit greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles.

Today’s appeal comes in response to the EPA’s decision last month to deny a waiver to California and at least 16 other states – including Vermont – to reduce tailpipe emissions from cars, trucks and SUVs by 23 percent by 2012 and 30 percent by 2016.    » read more »

Ben & Jerry's co-founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, other Vermont elected officials, labor leaders and activists in VT support Edwards, will help build momentum in NH

December 20, 2007 - Vermont Attorney General William H. Sorrell criticized a decision by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) denying California’s request for a waiver for its greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) regulations for new motor vehicles. Vermont adopted emission standards that are identical to California’s and successfully defended them in federal court in Burlington earlier this year. In order for Vermont’s regulations to become effective, however, EPA needed to grant California’s request, which had been pending since December of 2005.    » read more »