“While the cost of solar panels has gone down in recent years, it is still out of reach for millions of low-income families that need it the most,” said Sanders. “Families across this country struggle to pay electricity bills and access to solar energy can help reduce these costs.”

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.

Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger today joined the Burlington Electric Department (BED), Burlington International Airport (BTV), and Encore Redevelopment to formally unveil a 500 kW solar array atop the airport’s parking garage. This is the latest project in the City’s ongoing commitment to add more community solar to its portfolio and brings Burlington’s total installed solar photovoltaic to 81 projects, generating 1.8 megawatts of power for the City. Over the anticipated 30-year life of the airport solar project, BED expects to save $3.5 million in power costs, an average of approximately $117,000 annually

Gov. Peter Shumlin today marked an important milestone in the rebuilding of the Waterbury State Office Complex, joining state and local officials to witness the installation of monumental cupolas that will frame the center of the new campus. The project, now 80 percent complete, is progressing as expected, on time, and on budget

Gov. Peter Shumlin today marked an important milestone in the rebuilding of the Waterbury State Office Complex, joining state and local officials to witness the installation of monumental cupolas that will frame the center of the new campus. The project, now 80 percent complete, is progressing as expected, on time, and on budget

“In this narrow decision, the Supreme Court has again sided with corporate interests over the health of millions of Americans. While a rule by the EPA to curb these emissions was entirely consistent with Congress’ mandate, the Court decided that the EPA should have taken companies’ compliance costs into account before deciding it was ‘necessary and appropriate’ to limit these toxic pollutants.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today introduced legislation to increase estate tax rates on the top three-tenths of one percent of Americans who inherit more than $3.5 million, while eliminating loopholes that have allowed the wealthiest Americans to avoid billions in taxes. Sanders said the legislation was needed to reduce the massive gap between the very rich and working class Americans

The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 on Thursday that the Fair Housing Act (FHA) authorizes a plaintiff to show that she was discriminated against based on a showing of “disparate impact.” The FHA prohibits discrimination in the sale or rental of housing. Every circuit court that has ruled on this issue has interpreted the statute to allow for a showing of discrimination based on disparate impact, which is an allegation that a law or practice has a discriminatory effect, even if it isn’t based on a discriminatory purpose.

On June 16th, 2015, Governor Peter Shumlin signed into law the Vermont Clean Water Act (H35). Following this action, the Agency of Natural Resources is holding three public comment meetings in July to gather feedback on the Draft Waits, Wells, Ompompanoosuc and Stevens River Tactical Water Quality Management Plan. The public is encouraged to attend the meetings, hear a presentation and offer their comments and suggestions

Gov. Peter Shumlin today highlighted two major rural economic development investments at Vermont Technical College that will bring 45 jobs to the region and help prepare Vermonters for the hundreds of advanced manufacturing jobs available statewide

Gov. Peter Shumlin today highlighted two major rural economic development investments at Vermont Technical College that will bring 45 jobs to the region and help prepare Vermonters for the hundreds of advanced manufacturing jobs available statewide.

Last Friday, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development released an updated policy that gives reverse mortgage servicers the ability to allow a surviving spouse to stay in their home if the mortgage was originated prior to August 4, 2014.

Standing on the shores of Lake Champlain, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and local officials Friday announced the availability of $1.1 million to be provided in small Local Implementation Grants to prevent pollution, support cultural heritage and encourage educational outreach relating to Lake Champlain and its watershed. The Lake Chaplain Basin Program will use the federal funds to distribute grants to up to 100 small watershed groups, schools, towns and others across the Champlain Basin.

On the shores of Lake Champlain, Gov. Peter Shumlin today signed into law the most comprehensive legislation to address the problem of polluted storm water runoff into Vermont’s lakes and waterways in the history of the state. The legislation (H.35) recognizes that clean water is fundamental to Vermont’s quality of life and economy and gives the state the authority and capacity to control pollution and keep waterways free from the most significant threats to these shared resources

Earlier this week, Sarah Carpenter of the Vermont Housing Finance Agency discussed their new program that will provide down-payment assistance to first time homebuyers on VPR

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston is offering an Affordable Housing Program application training session at the Omni Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire. The training is offered for housing partners, developers, members, and other stakeholders interested in applying for funding in the upcoming 2015 AHP funding round. At the session, you will learn ways to maximize your success in submitting an Affordable Housing Program application

The Vermont Lottery, in a partnership with the Vermont Agency of Education, announces the second round technology grants for 2015 in the twice annual program to provide a competitive grant to K-12 public schools in the form of a cart of computing devices. The program will provide one set of 20 devices and a mobile cart to one awardee school. The devices will consist of either Apple iPads or Google Chromebooks (as selected by the school), and the devices will become the property of the school.

In recent days, several heavy rain events caused several streams and rivers in northern Vermont and Essex county New York to swell to abnormally high levels and present inherent dangers. Although water levels will slowly recede into this weekend, water levels and more importantly flows and currents will be too dangerous for many recreational activities. In addition more rainfall chances through this weekend could exacerbate current conditions