Jensen: My first Vermont bear
“Could this be bear poop?” they asked, with fear in their voices. Trying to calm them, Tom explained that, no, it was the product of large raccoons.
In This State: The buzz on Kent McFarland
McFarland dreams of finding disease-resistant rusty-patched bumblebees here in Vermont that could help in the restoration of the species.
Legislative wrap up: Energy stances on renewable investments, merger payback, opt-out fee for smart meters and state transmission ownership lost steam
The most prominent energy issues in the Vermont Legislature this year seem to be the ones that didn’t happen.
Vermont fights Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s license approval for Vermont Yankee
The Vermont Department of Public Service says the commission issued a license extension to Entergy without an updated water quality permit.
Act 250 permitting reform fizzles out
The committee took testimony until they ran out of witnesses, Klein said, but lost interest in pursuing the bill. They never held a vote on the bill.
Cows, corn and cash: Lake Champlain water quality studies net frustration
Lake-area residents are growing frustrated with the state’s failure to take substantive steps to thwart the phosphoros-induced blooms of toxic blue-green algae that will likely return this summer.
Vermont first state in nation to ban fracking for oil and gas
There is reason to believe that natural gas may be sequestered in Utica shale deposits thousands of feet below the surface in the northwest part of the state.
Final energy bill passes, minus renewable portfolio standard
The energy bill’s puzzling track this year resulted in weeks of stalling in the Senate and ultimately a last-minute rush to passage.
Renewable energy bill gets last-minute overhaul
The bill no longer prohibits utilities from selling renewable energy credits out of state. Vermont is one of 21 states that doesn’t have a Renewable Portfolio Standard.
Shumlin lends support for Montpelier heating plant
Mayor Hollar: “We think Montpelier can be a showcase for other communities in the use of renewable energy to heat is downtown business district.”
