Vermont

Putting People to Work For Clean, Safe Drinking Water and a Cleaner Environment

May 12, 2009 - MADISON – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today announced $143 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for clean water and drinking water revolving loan funds in Wisconsin, providing grants to municipalities for water infrastructure projects.

“The Recovery and Reinvestment Act is directly helping put people to work in Wisconsin, rebuilding our water infrastructure while providing good jobs,” Governor Doyle said. “These funds will allow water construction projects throughout the state to proceed, driving an important economic engine for local communities.”    » read more »

May 12, 2009 -- MADISON - Vermont Governor Jim Doyle and State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster announced today that $1.7 million will be available to Wisconsin school districts to support families and students who are homeless. Over half of this funding comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

“The education we provide today will be the strength of our state and nation for decades to come,” Governor Doyle said. “We all need to pull together and make sure all our kids have the best education possible. This funding ensures schools can quickly identify and serve students and families affected by this national economic crisis.”    » read more »

Nearly $600,000 will fund 24 projects across Vermont

May 12, 2009 -- Montpelier, Vt. – Vermont Governor Jim Douglas today announced that the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation is funding 24 trail projects across the state with $568,170 from Vermont’s Recreation Trails Program.

Vermont’s Recreational Trails Program is a matching grant program of the federal Highway Administration for the acquisition, development, rehabilitation and maintenance of trails, and trail-related facilities, for non-motorized, motorized, multiple-use or compatible recreational trail use.    » read more »

Businesses, students and green hotels recognized for environmental Excellence

April 20, 2009 -- Montpelier, Vt. – Vermont Governor Jim Douglas today held a State House ceremony to honor the environmental achievements of businesses, hotels, organizations and schools at the annual Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence and Pollution Prevention. Businesses displaying dedication to environmental excellence, winners of the Vermont School Carbon Challenge and recipients of the Green Hotel distinction were all recognized for their incredible commitment to environmental protection.    » read more »

Investments will fund renewable energy generation across Vermont

April 14, 2009 -- Montpelier, Vt. – Vermont Governor Jim Douglas announced today that the Department of Public Service (DPS) will award $2.57 million from the Clean Energy Development Fund (CEDF) for renewable energy projects throughout the state. The goal of the CEDF is to increase the development and deployment of combined heat and power (CHP) technologies and renewable energy generation.    » read more »

Funds will go towards drinking water infrastructure and air quality projects

April 14, 2009 -- Montpelier, Vt. – Vermont Governor Jim Douglas today announced that Vermont will receive more than $20 million in economic recovery funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to create jobs through water infrastructure and air quality projects.

“These stimulus funds will put local contractors and engineers to work as we plan and build out the projects,” the Governor said. “There is a tremendous need for these economic recovery funds. We’ve identified $380 million in drinking and clean water projects in Vermont.”

More than $1.7 million will go to clean diesel projects, said Ira Leighton, acting regional administrator of EPA in New England.    » read more »

March 26, 2009 -- Williston, Vt. - Vermont Governor Douglas today announced a bold new economic plan to build SmartVermont – by laying the foundation for a 21st century economy. The proposals will invest $17.1 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) State Fiscal Stabilization Funds (SFSF) to leverage nearly $160 million in direct support to new and exciting companies looking to grow and expand in the Green Mountain State as well as much needed support for existing Vermont employers.    » read more »

March 20, 2009 -- MONTPELIER, Vt. – Vermont Governor Jim Douglas today announced that 17 energy efficiency projects across the state have received $188,000 in first round of funding from the Vermont Community Climate Change Grant Program.

From Brattleboro to Wells River and from Burlington to Poultney, the renewable energy and efficiency projects will reduce a combined 270 tons of carbon emissions annually, while boosting Vermont’s local economy with investments and lower fuel costs.

“Vermont can be proud of its leadership role on the issue of climate change,” the Governor said. “All told, the emissions savings from these projects is the equivalent of not burning 25,000 gallons of heating oil or not driving 500,000 miles a year.”    » read more »

March 11th, 2009 -- The news on the economic front is still grim, but already the recovery package is saving and creating those jobs in towns across the country, stemming losses and spurring growth in ways that affect real families and communities. Here are just a few stories plucked from the local news over the past few days.

California [U.S. News and World Report, 3/9/09]:    » read more »

California, Iowa, Michigan, North Carolina and Vermont to host regional forums to continue discussion about bringing down health care costs, expanding coverage for all Americans

March 6, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Building on Thursday’s White House Forum on Health Care Reform, President Obama announced a series of Regional White House Forums on Health Reform that will bring the conversation about health care reform directly to communities across the country. In keeping with the Obama administration’s commitment to a transparent, accountable government, the forums will be an opportunity for Americans from all over the country to voice their concerns and ideas about reforming our health care system.    » read more »

March 2, 2009 -- Montpelier, Vt. – Vermont Governor Douglas announced today that this week the Vermont Department of Labor will begin including an extra $25.00 to the nearly 17,500 individuals currently receiving unemployment benefits.

The Federal Additional Compensation (FAC) program became available as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 enacted on February 17, 2009.

The additional $25.00 will be added on top of the unemployment payment that would otherwise be issued. For example – unemployed workers currently receiving $300.00 will now receive $325.00. The FAC program will remain in effect for all claims currently in place or established on or before January 1, 2010.    » read more »

Infrastructure Improvements, Health Care and Education, and First Responders

February 26, 2009 -- U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Vermont Gov. James Douglas (R) will host a free conference to help Vermont families, businesses and towns learn how the newly enacted American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) will help strengthen Vermont’s economy.

The conference and workshops will convene on Friday, March 6th, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Champlain College in Burlington. The Vermont Procurement and Technical Assistance Center and the Vermont Small Business Development Center have cosponsored the conference, enabling Leahy and Douglas to offer the conference at no cost to Vermonters. Leahy and Douglas will kick off the conference with introductory remarks.    » read more »

January 26, 2009 -- Montpelier, VT – Vermont Governor Jim Douglas today expressed his gratitude for the decisive action on the part of President Obama instructing EPA to reconsider whether to grant California a waiver to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from new motor vehicles. Until EPA grants a waiver, California’s greenhouse gas emission standards are not enforceable by Vermont and the other states that have adopted them.

“Vermont has been out front on this and other important environmental issues,” said Governor Douglas. “President Obama has seized an extraordinary opportunity to take concrete and speedy action on his pledge to address climate change,” the Governor said.    » read more »

New CDC Study Shows Dangers of Exposure to Secondhand Smoke

August 13, 2008 -- Burlington, VT – During August and September, the Vermont Department of Health wants to help Vermonters create smoke-free zones to protect both children and adults from being exposed to the dangers of secondhand smoke.    » read more »

June 17, 2008 -- BURLINGTON - Each year in Vermont, mosquitoes are mapped, monitored, targeted and trapped and – when spotted – swatted, smacked and squished.

The Vermont Department of Health’s main interest in the pests is whether or not the mosquitoes are infected with West Nile virus, an infection that may cause illness.

Mosquito: Photo by OliBac (CC)

Most mosquitoes are not infected with West Nile virus, which is transmitted from infected birds to certain types of mosquitoes that routinely feed on robins, jays, crows, ravens and raptors.    » read more »