Renewable Energy 2015 (RE 2015) is Vermont’s annual convention bringing together key players in the renewables sector. This year's conference, slated for October 8 & 9, highlights current energy challenges, Vermont’s leadership role in the energy industry, and the steps needed to implement an integrated energy infrastructure.

Over 50 of Vermont households depend on septic or other types of onsite systems to treat their wastewater. In addition, many businesses and park facilities use these types of systems. Failure to maintain a septic system can lead to backups and surfacing of sewage which can result in costly repairs.

Mayor Miro Weinberger and University of Vermont (UVM) President Tom Sullivan today announced a partnership between UVM and the City of Burlington to develop solar energy projects on UVM campus properties to capitalize on opportunities to make Burlington an even greener community. UVM and the City released a request for proposals (RFP) from solar generation providers that encourages a wide variety of projects, including roof-top installations and solar canopies over parking areas.

September is National Voter Registration Month. A national, non-partisan campaign by non-profit and voter advocacy organizations will also celebrate September 22, 2015, as National Voter Registration Day.

Mayor Miro Weinberger, joined by Burlington’s Parks, Recreation & Waterfront (BPRW) and Starr Farm neighbors and children, today celebrated the official re-opening of the new Starr Farm playground. The $80,000 project was funded by both Penny for Parks (~60%) and Park Impact Fees (~40%). The large community park in the New North End totals more than 14 acres and is surrounded by playing fields, a dog park, and community gardens.

Cathedral Square’s Richmond Terrace Senior Living has received Enterprise Green Communities Certification, demonstrating the organization’s commitment to highperformance, healthy homes for low-income seniors.

Standing at the intersection of State Drive and Main Street, Gov. Peter Shumlin today congratulated the community of Waterbury on the opening of South Main Apartments and beginning construction of the Hunger Mountain Children’s Center. At the conclusion of the event, he handed keys to a family moving into one of the new affordable homes. The projects each were supported by $1 million grants of Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funds from the Agency of Commerce and Community Development

Vermont Fish & Wildlife has received a $330,000 grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to purchase 459 acres of property that serves as habitat for the federally endangered Northeastern bulrush. The land to be purchased extends the Turner Hill Wildlife Management Area (WMA), which represents one of only four publically owned locations of the bulrush in the state.

As administrator of the Housing Tax Credit program, VHFA allocates credits to specific projects in accordance with Vermont's Qualified Allocation Plan, which is approved and signed by the Governor. The advisory Joint Committee on Tax Credits reviews and adopts allocation policies and reviews VHFA's performance.

The Vermont Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights will convene a public meeting to examine the persistence of housing discrimination in Vermont.  The meeting will be held in the Vermont State House, Room 11, 115 State Street, Montpelier

Earlier today the White House announced that the City of Burlington has been awarded a $50,000 prize from the Small Business Administration's Startup in a Day initiative. Startup in a Day, announced by President Obama earlier this year, is a program designed to help cities and Native American communities streamline licensing, permitting, and other requirements needed to start a business in their areas, with the goal that an entrepreneur may apply for all necessary components within one business day.

Gov. Peter Shumlin, Barre Mayor Thom Lauzon, and the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) today announced a loan program to assist Vermont owners of rental housing properties damaged by the July 2015 flooding that affected Barre, Plainfield, and surrounding areas. While businesses and homeowners have access to flood assistance programs, non-occupier owners of rental properties fall through a gap. The program announced today is designed to give those individuals assistance as they work to rebuild from the flooding.

Gov. Peter Shumlin issued the following statement after President Obama unveiled new environmental regulations to combat climate change and promote renewable energy

Vermont U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Monday praised President Obama for taking the most significant step yet to reduce U.S. emissions of greenhouse gases in order to address the causes of climate change. The Clean Power Plan sets the first-ever carbon pollution standards for power plants, requiring each state to create its own plan for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from power plants by 32 percent from 2005 levels, by 2030.

Gov. Peter Shumlin issued the following statement after Green Mountain Power submitted to the Public Service Board a proposed 0.76 percent electric bill decrease for customers starting in October. This follows last year’s 2.46 percent rate decrease.

Standing with state and local transportation officials at the site of a crumbling East Montpelier bridge,Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today outlined his bipartisan effort to reach consensus on a long-term transportation infrastructure plan funded by a sustainable revenue source. Federal funding for road and bridge infrastructure projects will expire on July 31 if Congress fails to act

Some blue-green algae blooms produce toxins that are harmful to humans and animals. Testing is the only way to know if an algae toxin is present in drinking water. This new 12-week monitoring program will bolster the state’s current efforts to visually monitor for blue-green algae blooms and protect the public from potential toxins in drinking water.

Demonstrating Vermont's ongoing commitment to flood mitigation, pollution reduction and energy preservation, four Vermont State Agencies and Departments submitted reports to the Governor today documenting their work to utilize and promote Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI). These reports build on Executive Order 06-12 issued by Governor Peter Shumlin in March 2012 that directed the Agency of Commerce and Community Development, Agency of Natural Resources, Agency of Transportation and the Department of Buildings and General Services to come together to form the Interagency Green Infrastructure Council