Vermont

June 5, 2009 – Vermont’s Green Mountain National Forest and its surrounding communities will benefit from the next wave of economic recovery act funds coming to the state. Vermont’s Congressional Delegation – Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Congressman Peter Welch (D-Vt.) – said the U.S. Forest Service will invest $5.295 million in economic stimulus funds on projects that range from road upgrades to waterway improvements that will help conserve endangered species such as the Atlantic Salmon.    » read more »

Statement of Governor Jim Douglas on his veto of H.441

June 1, 2009 -- “It is with great disappointment that I return H. 441 to the Legislature without my signature. I had hoped that our budget differences could be resolved and compromise reached without the need for a veto vote. Unfortunately, an agreement could not be achieved. These are unprecedented economic times and Vermonters need their elected officials to work together to get our state through this recession. I pledge to continue to work with legislators of all parties regardless of the outcome of tomorrow’s special session.”

Governor Jim Douglas today issued the following veto message on H.441, An Act Making Appropriations for the Support of Government:    » read more »

Vermont Delegation Announces $39 Million In Economic Stimulus Funds for Statewide Clean Water Projects At St. Albans Press Conference

ST.ALBANS, June 1, 2009 – Senator Bernie Sanders, Congressman Peter Welch and a representative of Senator Patrick Leahy announced today the release of $39 million in economic stimulus funds during a press conference at the St. Albans Bay Village Pavilion.    » read more »

ST.ALBANS, JUNE 1 – Senator Bernie Sanders, Congressman Peter Welch and a representative of Senator Patrick Leahy announced today the release of $39 million in economic stimulus funds during a press conference at the St. Albans Bay Village Pavilion.

The grants and low-interest loans, to be distributed through the Environmental Protection Agency, will go to 41 wastewater clean-up projects and 42 drinking water projects throughout Vermont. The funds, which were made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, will help municipalities finance overdue improvements to wastewater and clean drinking water projects essential to protecting public health and the environment, while creating new jobs in Vermont.    » read more »

BURLINGTON, May 27 – Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) announced today that he secured $500,000 for Vermont public schools to install solar panels, the latest development in the senator’s ongoing campaign to transform Vermont’s energy system.

“We must move, as aggressively as possible, to become energy independent, to address the crisis of greenhouse gas emissions and global warming and, in the process, create millions of new jobs over a period of years in the clean-energy field,” Sanders said. “In my view, this is one of the transformational issues of our time and I very much hope that Vermont will be a national leader in this area.”    » read more »

Leahy Played Crucial Role In Including Program In Stimulus Package

(WEDNESDAY, May 27) – U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) says Vermont will receive $30 million under an innovative and proven economic development program – New Market Tax Credits (NMTC) – to spur economic growth and affordable housing in the state.    » read more »

May 27, 2009 -- Burlington, Vt. – Vermont Governor Jim Douglas has signed into law a bill that will enhance the regulation and expansion of the captive insurance industry in Vermont, a key provider of revenues and jobs for the state.

At a ceremony in Burlington Wednesday, Douglas signed the omnibus banking and insurance legislation, S.42, and praised it as an important step in maintaining Vermont’s position as the largest captive insurance domicile in the U.S. and the second largest in the world in terms of gross written premium.    » read more »

May 27, 2009 -- Montpelier, Vt. – Vermont Governor Jim Douglas today announced that he has allowed H. 446 to become law without his signature.

Below is a portion of the Governor’s message:

"I fully support the development of renewable energy in Vermont and I have worked hard to encourage this industry. I believe this bill, however, fails to recognize the current viability of renewable energy in a competitive setting and will needlessly increase costs to Vermont consumers so as to subsidize this one favored business sector.”    » read more »

Working Group to Explore Incentives for Renewable Energy Source

May 27, 2009 -- Montpelier, VT – Vermont Governor Jim Douglas today signed into law H. 152, An Act Relating to Encouraging Biomass Energy Production. The Biomass bill creates a “biomass energy development working group” to investigate and recommend fiscal and regulatory incentives for biomass energy, as well as guidelines and standards for maintaining forest health, procurement standards and other policy considerations for biomass development in Vermont.    » read more »

Initiative will develop and test cost-effective strategies to improve care for Vermont residents who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare

May 26, 2009 -- Montpelier, Vt. – As the nation debates health reform options, Vermont Governor Jim Douglas today announced that Vermont was chosen to participate in Transforming Care for Dual Eligibles, a national initiative that will test innovative models for people who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid (“dual eligibles”).    » read more »

WASHINGTON (Friday, May 22, 2009) – The U.S. Senators from Vermont and New Hampshire have introduced the Upper Connecticut River Partnership Act of 2009, legislation that would help conserve the largest ecosystem in New England.    » read more »

May 21, 2009 -- Montpelier, Vt, – Vermont Governor Jim Douglas today reaffirmed Vermont’s role as a leading voice on national climate policy and a champion of energy consumers by signing on to the newly formed 30-state Governors’ Climate Coalition, which will work with Congress to find common ground for a comprehensive national energy strategy and climate change action.

The Governor, who takes over chairmanship of the National Governors Association in July, praised the gamut of states from across that country who signed on to the Coalition.    » read more »

May 18, 2009 -- “I applaud the Obama Administration’s clear-eyed decision to establish greenhouse gas standards for cars and light trucks based on California’s strict tailpipe emissions standards.

“As the first state to adopt California’s greenhouse gas emissions standards and to successfully defend them against legal challenges by the automobile industry in federal court, Vermont helped to pave the way for this decision.

“The science and economics of reducing carbon dioxide emissions from automobiles are irrefutable. Vermonters are proud that we have the smallest carbon footprint per capita in the United States. Yet, almost half of our carbon footprint comes from transportation. This decision is a significant win for the environment and for Vermonters’ pocketbooks.    » read more »

BURLINGTON, May 18, 2009 – As the nation prepares to observe Memorial Day, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today highlighted two important new benefits for veterans in Vermont and across the country.

A new GI Bill will dramatically boost education benefits for veterans who enlisted after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Another reform Sanders fought for as a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee will reopen the doors of VA hospitals and clinics to many middle-class veterans knocked off the eligibility rolls six years ago.    » read more »

Grants and Loans Will Make Green Energy Cost-Competitive With Fossil Fuel Generated Electricity

May 14, 2009 -- Montpelier, Vt. – Vermont Governor Jim Douglas announced today that the Department of Public Service has filed the State’s application for $21,999,000 allocated for the State Energy Program under ARRA (the Federal stimulus bill).

This money will added to $7 million dollars of State funds available to the Clean Energy Development Fund (CEDF) to provide grants and loans for renewable energy projects such as solar photovoltaic, wind turbines, methane digesters (cow power), and other biomass.    » read more »