Climate Change Work Gathers Momentum

VNRC celebrates three recent advances which promise to bring much-needed focus to the world's most pressing environmental issue - global climate change. Read more about the appointment of VNRC Policy Director Patrick Berry to the Governor's new Climate Change Commission, Vermont's support of a regional agreement between Northeastern states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and the launch of a statewide partnership to galvanize citizens at the local level to design and implement community climate action plans.

VNRC, Diverse Coalition Push Energy Efficiency Expansion

VNRC is part of a newly established ‘Building Efficiency Coalition,’ representing businesses, low-income groups, environmental organizations and individuals. Yesterday the coalition came together at the Vermont State House to introduce and call for passage of S.94 — a bill that would help more Vermonters maximize efficiency in heating their homes and businesses. “S.94 builds on the excellent track record of Efficiency Vermont and takes efficiency and conservation to another level, offering Vermonters the opportunity to save money while at the same time reducing their carbon footprint,” said VNRC's Executive Director Elizabeth Courtney.

NWF: Governor’s Veto of Climate Change Bill Hurts Vermont's Wildlife

Climate change is not just about Vermont getting warmer. It’s about the potential loss of Vermont’s traditional and treasured wildlife too. A warmer world threatens Vermont’s moose, ruffed grouse, and brook trout, among others. That’s because the habitat that sustains these and other creatures stands to change so drastically that they might not be able to survive there. Steve Wright, an avid outdoorsman and former commissioner of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, is the regional representative for VNRC’s national affiliate – the National Wildlife Federation. NWF and VNRC work closely together to press for action on climate change. Read Steve's recent editorial on the governor’s veto of H.520 - the bill intended to address climate change in Vermont.

WCAX: TV Coverage of International Day of Climate Action 350 Event with Bernie Sanders co-hosted by VNRC

WPTZ: TV Coverage of International Day of Climate Action 350 Event with Bernie Sanders co-hosted by VNRC

Getting to 350

Submit a 350 Ad

Stop the Circ Highway!

Remember the “Circ?” Well, that high-cost highway project in Chittenden County (which Bill McKibben calls a “global warming machine”) is back in the limelight at a critical stage of review. The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) needs to hear from as many Vermonters as possible by August 27 on the project. Our view? It’s a bad idea. It would destroy wetlands, waste money, and promote sprawl – all to save 4 minutes of travel time for the average commuter.

PACE 2.0 - Strategic Fixes Needed to Important Energy Financing Program

Dozens of Vermont communities have expressed an interest in moving the clean energy financing tool known as 'PACE' forward locally. That's because PACE could provide a key mechanism for making up-front capital available to homeowners for investments in significant weatherization projects or home-scaled renewables. Unfortunately, federal mortgage backers like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have created some potentially debilitating stumbling blocks to the program. Now, an effort is afoot to address those issues and move the promising program forward.

The State Energy Plan: An Energy Committee Leader's Perspective

As co-leader of an active energy committee, HEART of Hardwick, I know that the development of a strong state energy plan is essential. We follow state policy closely and proceed with projects on the ground based on those policies. Energy Committees need the back up of that plan in working with their local governments. In Hardwick, we are working on LED Street lighting conversion, and patiently await the passage of H155, PACE. (property assessed clean energy). Our town has been ready to move ahead since PACE was first proposed.