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The Vermont Natural Resources Council is pleased to announce that Kate McCarthy has been hired as Sustainable Communities Program Director.  Most recently, Kate worked as a regional planner for the Windham Regional Commission in Brattleboro, where she provided technical assistance to member towns on a variety of community planning issues. She also coordinated the commission’s energy programs and managed their "Brownfield" redevelopment program.

“Kate has excellent communication skills, a strong understanding of a wide range of community development and land use issues, and a commitment to working for Vermont’s environment, communities and people,” said Brian Shupe, VNRC’s executive director. Click here for a full announcement.

House Speaker Smith Addresses VNRC Annual Meeting

In the wake of tropical storm Irene, VNRC continues to be concerned about possible continued digging of gravel from Vermont’s streams. In the days immediately following the storm, municipalities, independent contractors and individuals took excavators into many of Vermont’s rivers in legitimate attempts to repair extensive damage to both private and public property. As the weeks wore on, however, some parties digging in the rivers appeared to take advantage of the minimal state oversight and, in order to change stream channels and gather gravel, dug far more than necessary. Many people and organizations, including VNRC members, contacted Gov. Shumlin to express their concern that this additional digging would increase, not decrease, the threat of future flood damage. VNRC shares the sentiment expressed in Trout Unlimited’s letter to Gov. Shumlin available here.

VNRC recently filed a second brief in federal district court supporting the state of Vermont’s efforts to shut down Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant as scheduled in 2012.

In a “amicus” or “friend of the court” brief, VNRC supports the contention that the state has the legal right to not relicense the aging nuclear power plant in Vernon based in part on the state’s authority to transition to an energy portfolio consisting primarily of renewable sources while providing electricity that is economically and environmentally sustainable.

In essence, VNRC and the state argue that the legislative history shows clearly that for the past decade and more, Vermont lawmakers have, by passing various laws promoting renewable energy, been engaged in planning for an energy future that includes more renewable energy, and less non-renewable sources like nuclear energy. VNRC and the state argue that, based on federal case law, the Legislature has the authority to determine what kind of energy to support as part of comprehensive energy planning in Vermont. Entergy, the owner of Vermont Yankee, is arguing that federal law completely pre-empts Vermont law and that the state may not deny Entergy's request for approval to operate after March 21, 2012. A decision in the case is expected in the next few months. To read a copy of VNRC’s brief, click here.

An Extension on Our Energy Plan Homework

The Shumlin Adminstration has extened the deadline for commenting on the draft Comprehensive Energy Plan to Friday, Nov 4.

So, if you have still not had a chance to look at the plan, or have reviewed it but had not put “pen to paper,” there is now more time to do so!

Remember, you don’t need to comment on the whole plan – it might make sense to focus on issues that are important to you. But it’s critical that Vermonters weigh in on this important and wide-ranging document.

More info, including the plan, can be found here, and detailed information about public comments, including a form into which you can type comments directly, can be found at: http://www.vtenergyplan.vermont.gov/comment

The state is currently reviewing the rules that govern how and when citizens get a seat at the table when regulators review the environmental impacts of development projects.

For the last couple of years, VNRC has been urging lawmakers and the administration to retool the state’s environmental permitting process to make it more accessible and less expensive for citizens to be involved in the environmental permitting process.

The good news is that the Natural Resources Board, an arm of the state that coordinates local Act 250 review, is now looking at ways to do just that. The board is expected to develop recommendations for making the environmental protection process more efficient, more effective, more user-friendly, more open, and better coordinated.

Don’t miss this year’s Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival to benefit VNRC.

The event is this Thursday, October 20th at Main Street Landing in Burlington and is hosted by Patagonia Burlington and Jay Peak in association with The Point and Seven Days.

Join hundreds of fellow activists, experts and policy-makers Saturday, October 29 for a day chock-full of workshops covering Vermont’s hottest environmental issues and skill-building opportunities at the Environmental Action Conference at Vermont Technical College. (Click on the video at right to get a flavor of last year's event.)

This year, come hear from featured speakers including:

Gina McCarthy: Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation, and

May Boeve: Executive Director of 350.org

An outstanding lineup of workshops this year include: The Future of Vermontt's Working Landscape, River Health, Effective Citizen Lobbying, Local Energy Strategies and more!

The conference is hosted by the New England Grassroots Environment Fund, Toxics Action Center, the Vermont League of Conservation Voters, VNRC and VPIRG. Register now here. 

#1: Join VNRC on Wednesday evenings for some fun November 2 and 9, at the Skinny Pancake on Main Street in Montpelier. Starting from 5 p.m. until closing, enjoy savory and sweet crepes individually cooked using locally-sourced ingredients, and local draft beer. Ten percent of the proceeds from your delicious dinner will benefit VNRC!

Skinny Pancake – renowned creperie and social gathering spot – continues to step up their game and recently joined 1% for the Planet and its mission to connect businesses with environmental initiatives. Click here for more information.

#2: Also coming up, join VPR commentator Bill Mares on Thursday, November 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the BCA Center (Firehouse Gallery) in Burlington for a reading and signing of his new book “3:14 and Out.” Bill is generously donating 10 percent of that night’s sales to VNRC.

In his commentaries, Bill shares his thoughts and experiences on topics ranging from beekeeping to marathon running to international politics, all within the parameters of the broadcasting time limit 3:14 and out. Click here for more information.

Central Vermont Community Action Council, in partnership with Efficiency Vermont, is bringing back its popular Button Up Vermont workshops for the fall and winter of 2011. Businesses, non-profit organizations, and community groups can host workshops while Button Up Vermont will provide the professional presenter, materials and help you publicize the event. Button Up Vermont is a 90-minute workshop designed to help Vermonters understand why and how they should "button up" their homes to save energy and improve comfort. It's easy to host – all you need to do is find a location that can hold 25-50 people and choose a date and time (the event lasts 2 to 2 1/2 hours) and Button Up Vermont does the rest. For more information click here or contact Paul Markowitz at paul@markowitzvt.com or 802 229-6307.

Recently released US Census figures show the number of households heating with wood grew 34 percent nationally between 2000 and 2010, faster than any other heating fuel, according to the Alliance for Green Heat, Maryland-based organization that describes itself as promoting high efficiency wood combustion as a low-carbon, sustainable, local and affordable heating solution. 

In two states, Michigan and Connecticut, households using wood as a primary heat source more than doubled, according to the alliance. In six other states - New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, Ohio and Nevada - wood heating grew by more than 90 percent.  

Click here for more information.