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Energy and Global Warming News
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New Report Shows Vermont Falling Behind In Global Warming Battle 
Midterm Success! 
House Passes Comprehensive Energy Reform Bill 
A new VPIRG report finds that the state property tax bills for power producers around the state are significantly uneven between renewable and nonrenewable energy providers. The report provides a snapshot of taxation schemes for Vermont’s electric utilities from 2004 – 2006, which shows that when generation is considered along with total taxes paid, wind producers in the state pay nearly 10 times as much as Vermont Yankee. 
New Report Finds New England Leads The Country In Severe Storms
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Thanks to your hard work - the emails you sent, the calls you made - Vermont won a huge victory yesterday when the Judge William Sessions ruled that Vermont has the right to limit global warming pollution from cars and trucks. You can see the NECN story by clicking the picture to the left, or read the news in the Times Argus/Rutland Herald here.
We often ask you to contact your leaders when they are not doing enough for the public interest. It's equally important to thank them when they do. While this victory is a big step, we need our leaders to do more to if we're going to stop global warming.
Please help us keep the victories coming: click here to send a thank you note to our leaders.
VPIRG and Senator Bernie Sanders host a Special Screening of The 11th Hour
Join Senator Bernie Sanders and VPIRG Director Paul Burns at a benefit showing of the powerful new environmental documentary by Leonardo DiCaprio, "The 11th Hour" this Friday, September 14th at Merrill's Roxy Theatre on South Winooski Avenue in Burlington (click here for directions).
Showtimes are at 6:45 pm and 9:30 pm. Matinee showings are at 1:30 and 3:45 pm.
Bernie and Paul will speak briefly with the audience after the 6:45 pm showing and before the 9:30 pm showing.
The film is a documentary concerning the environmental crises caused by human actions from global warming to toxic contamination. It features such experts such as Vermont's own, Bill McKibben, and it calls for immediate action at all levels.
Need one more reason to go? The film showings on Friday will benefit VPIRG!
If you can't make it to the showing in Burlington, we hope you'll see the film at a theater near you and continue to support VPIRG's work on energy and global warming.
Vermont Yankee Breaks Down
On August 21one of Vermont Yankee’s two cooling towers collapsed (more photos here). Then, a few days later, the plant was forced to initiate an emergency shut-down after several steam valves malfunctioned simultaneously.
Both failures are even more shocking because they come on the heels of state and federal regulators giving Vermont Yankee a clean bill of health to operate at 120% of its designed capacity.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Entergy Nuclear, the Louisiana-based corporation that owns Yankee has been quick to downplay both accidents, referring to the cooling tower collapse as just “deformation in some of the wood.” The company also continues to disingenuously pushing their claim that the 35 year old plant is running like new.
In response James Moore, Clean Energy Advocate for VPIRG stated “Vermont Yankee telling us that the plant is running like new is like your hair dresser telling you that you look twenty years younger, nice to hear but far from the truth.”
You can help! Click here to help us fight back by writing a letter to the editor so more Vermonters can learn the truth about Yankee.
To read VPIRG’s full press release on the cooling tower collapse click here. To read recent news coverage click here.
Veto Override Narrowly Defeated
It was a day of successes and failures. More than 400 people showed up at the State House to ask their legislators to override the Governor's veto of H.520, the comprehensive energy effeciency and global warming legislation, that would have done so much for the state. (Read several takes on the day's events in VPIRG's blog)
Sadly, 61 members of the legislature voted against creating a sustainable energy future for Vermont. But the fight is far from over. With the people of Vermont at our back and armed with the knowledge that science and common sense are with us, we will continue the fight to create comprehensive global warming legislation that serves the people of Vermont.
See what bill McKibben had to say after all was said and done:
Polar Bear Appeals for Help in State House
You may have heard that back in June just after he vetoed the global warming bill, Governor Douglas said,“We can do as much as possible and still not save a single polar bear or make a significant impact on global warming.” Well, on July 11th that single polar bear came looking for Governor Douglas to ask why he won't help. Click here to see Governor Douglas turn his back on the polar bear and Bill McKibben.
The good news is that even after the failed vote, the polar bear found something to dance about. The boys from X10 were in the State House with more than 400 Vermonters who vowed to keep up the fight for a clean energy future for Vermont. Watch X10's acapella performance of their hit "CO2" performed in the well of the State House yesterday, accompanied by the dancing polar bear.
New Survey Finds 72% of Vermonters Support the Energy Bill
One day before legislators will gather again in Montpelier for an historic vote on the state’s energy future, AARP, VPIRG and VBSR held a news conference on the steps of the statehouse to release the results of a new statewide poll showing 72% of Vermonters support H.520's plan to lower energy costs for Vermonters. Advocates also released the results of a business-only petition with more than 140 local employers calling for legislators to override the Governor’s veto of H.520.
“72% of Vermonters and nearly 150 businesses have spoken loudly and clearly that they are tired of out of control energy prices, inaction on global warming, and they want a better way forward,” said James Moore, VPIRG’s energy advocate. “All that is left is for our representative democracy to do its job by having the legislature vote to override the governor’s veto of H.520 tomorrow.”
Read the full press release and survey results here.
CO2 in the 802
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The minds behind the popular '802' rap video have struck again, and this time they're taking their message global. Colin Arisman, Luke Martin, and Kevin Hartmann made local and national headlines with their humorous rap about life in Vermont.
Now the boys have teamed up with VPIRG to produce a new rap about global warming, the energy bill H.520 vetoed by Governor Douglas and our last chance to make a difference this year by convincing our legislators to override the veto July 11.
Check out the video and then take the rappers' suggestion and 'start solving climate problems in the 802' by emailing your elected officials.
Tomorrow's Energy Today
Vermont, and the rest of New England, is headed for an energy crisis driven by out-of-control energy prices, strained infrastructure and lack of long-term planning. But, according to a new report Tomorrow’s Energy Today, (click here to read the press release) Vermont and the region can avoid this crisis, grow their economy and protect the environment using existing technologies. What is lacking, especially in Vermont, is the leadership needed to implement solutions over the status qou.
"When it comes to energy policy, we've been on auto-pilot for too long," said James Moore of VPIRG. "And by vetoing H.520, the governor has turned the wheel away from the exact solutions that Vermont and New England need."
Click here to take action by emailing your House Representative and telling them to override the governor's veto on July 11! Click here to download the report
Al Gore Endorses VT bill, and the Override
Last week Governor Douglas vetoed H.520, the comprehensive global warming bill, in an outrageous decision to defend a sweetheart tax rate for Vermont Yankee instead of a bill that will create jobs, save Vermonters money and help stop global warming. But Al Gore and a growing movement of people are calling for Vermont's legislature to override the veto (read the press coverage here, or get more info on the override here).
"This legislation would position Vermont at the forefront of this growing global movement," Gore said. "I hope you get this override and put this terrific law into place."
We hope you will join VPIRG, Al Gore, and thousands of other Vermonters in calling on our legislature to stand up for our environment and economy on July 11.
Douglas Vetoes Global Warming Bill, but There's Still a Chance to Stop Global Warming
After months of work, thousands of calls, hundreds of emails, 71 Step It Up events and innumerable local conversations, the Vermont legislature took a bold step forward on energy and global warming in May.
But the Governor is about to veto the bill. It’s outrageous, but he’s sticking up for the profit margins of Entergy instead of for a bill that will make Vermont more affordable, create jobs, and fight global warming. You can help! Send an email thanking your representatives and telling Gov. Douglas to sign the comprehensive global warming bill NOW!
But there’s good news: the legislature will reconvene on July 11th to consider overriding the governor’s veto (Click here to learn more).
We have this one chance to get 2/3 of our legislature to do the right thing. If we win, Vermont will be the first state in the nation to stand up to the oil industry, the nuclear industry, and the big utilities and get serious about an economy driven by renewable and energy independence. And we need your help! please contact the VPIRG field team at drew {at} vpirg.org or 223-8421 x4787 if you can volunteer an hour or two between now and July 11.
Global Warming Victory! But Will a Veto Snatch it Away?
H.520, the comprehensive global warming bill, passed the House 85-61 on Friday the 11th of May (read the play-by-play in the blog). Our thanks to everyone who called, emailed and came out for the vote. We could not have done this without your support.
The bill will be sent to Governor Douglas later this week for his signature or veto; the Governor has been shortsightedly critical of the bill for months, and is widely expected to veto the bill. If the bill is vetoed, an special session may be called in July to allow legislators to make the bill law without the Governor.
You can help! Send an email thanking your representatives and telling Gov. Douglas to sign the comprehensive global warming bill NOW!
House Vote on Global Warming Bill Imminent
May 10 - H.520, the comprehensive global warming bill, will get it's final vote in the Vermont House Friday the 11th of May. If you care about your planet, your children or our economy, call now and tell your legislator to VOTE YES on H.520.
You may also have heard the recent news about our advertisements challenging Vermont Yankee's right to use their lobbyists and lawyers to control Vermont's energy future (if not read all about it in the blog)
VPIRG's position is that Vermonters, not lobbyists, should decide our energy future. And we'll be working hard today, tonight and tomorrow to make sure that happens. You can listen to our radio ad here, or see the print ad that ran in several papers and decide for yourself.
More importantly, you can join the call for clean, safe and affordable power and action to stop global warming through our Online Action Center here.
Global Warming Bill Passes Senate, Fight Moves to the House
May 5 - The Senate voted earlier this week 18-12 to pass this comprehensive global warming bill. The bill has several parts that, when taken together, will create hundreds of new jobs, save Vermonters over $300 million on their energy bills, and make Vermont a national leader in the fight to stop global warming (more info and full text here).
There were several important procedural votes in the Senate leading up to final passage, and some of them were very close (get the whole story at the VPIRG blog). Attention is now shifting to the House, where a close vote is expected next week.
VPIRG is calling on all Vermonters who want to stop global warming to ACT NOW in support of this bill by contacting their house representatives (take action here). If you can do more we are also looking for volunteers to help us call VPIRG members and tell them about H.520, the global warming bill. If you have an hour, we can use your support. Contact drew hudson 223-8421 x4787 for details.
The Senate Is Stepping It Up, Help Us Say Thanks!
April 24 -After months of action, a final global warming bill - H.520 - is nearly finalized in the Vermont Senate.
This important bill will be voted on by the Senate soon, and we need to show our leaders that the public supports this important legislation by taking over the letter to the editor page of the newspaper.
The letter to the editor page is the section of the paper your elected officials read the most. And one well written letter can help change the minds of Legislators and the Governor all at once.
Click this link to write your letter now; we’ll help by providing talking points, background info and more.
Global Warming Bills Passes Critical Floor VotesApril 5 - The House voted 138-8 this morning in favor of a greatly weakened Renewable Energy Bill - H.520. Although imperfect, the vote represents a step forward in Vermont's fight to become energy independent by replacing our current polluting sources of power with clean, safe and affordable alternatives. Similarly, the Senate is expected to vote today or tomorrow to pass a similarly weakened version of S.94, the building efficiency bill As we enter the last few weeks of the session, attention is turning to Senate President Peter Shumlin, House Speaker Gaye Symington and Governor Douglas: all of whom have pledge to take serious action on global warming, but have not delivered yet. VPIRG will be watching these two leaders and pressuring them to do more than talk about solutions to global warming. In fact, a letter we wrote to that effect earlier this week that gathered more than 25 signatures of support. |
Supreme Court Picks Science over PoliticsApril 2- In one of the most important environmental decisions rendered in a generation, the U.S Supreme Court today rebuked the Bush administration for its failure to take action against global warming pollution. “This is perhaps the greatest example in recent times of science winning over politics,” said Paul Burns, Executive Director of the Vermont Public Interest Research Group. “In the face of overwhelming worldwide evidence, President Bush and his administration have been ignoring the facts, attacking the messengers and stifling their own scientists in an effort to block action against global warming. The Supreme Court’s unambiguous rebuke in this case has removed the last fig leaf in the administration’s defense of industrial polluters.”
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Senate strips essential funding from Global Warming billMarch 30 - The Senate Finance Committee voted out S.94, an important bill to stop global warming, create jobs and save Vermonters millions on heating bills. But in a blow to serious action on global warming, they did so without the funding to make the bill effective. The bill works by requiring oil and propane companies to pay a tax, giving back a small fraction of their record profits to fund an expanded Efficiency Vermont that will help Vermonters weatherize their homes and burn less oil. Now the bill is in danger and we need your help to save the funding for this essential new program. Governor Douglas says he cares about global warming but is threatening to veto the bill. Our legislative leaders said they would pass strong global warming legislation but are not standing up to the Governor. Senate leaders working on the bill are threatening to cut the funding for this essential new program, reducing it to nothing more than weak study of global warming and efficiency. The bill is expected to come for a vote before the full Senate this week, and VPIRG will continue to work with our champions in the legislature to find an acceptable funding source for this important program. Stay tuned for updates. |
Senate Launches Efficiency Bill
But VPIRG-backed legislation in the Senate looks will create hundreds of new jobs, save Vermonters $486 million over ten years and reduce global warming pollution by nearly 2 Million tons. By investing in efficiency, we can accomplish all these goals and keep our houses warm and comfortable. Unfortunately, Governor Douglas is disingenuously attacking the new bill. The Governor wants to fool Vermonters into believing S. 94 is a tax, when in fact, even the Governor's own staff agrees that investing in efficiency will grow our economy and save Vermonters money. Click the Take Action link to help fight back by writing a letter to local media defending S.94. |
PUTTING A FACE ON GLOBAL WARMING'S IMPACT
“Maple sugaring in January and February, five months of mud season, a greater chance of our kids contracting tic-borne illness: it’s not pretty but this is the reality of global warming’s impact in Vermont” said James Moore, Clean Energy Advocate for VPIRG. |
VPIRG hosted a press conference this week unveiling new legislation built in part on recommendations from our 
Shorter ski seasons, less maple sugaring, and soggy summers that destroy crops are just some of the potentially devastating effects of global warming. That's why VPIRG released a booklet that aims to put a human face on the very real impacts of global warming, and its potential solutions.REPORT SHOWS PATH TO CLEAN, SAFE
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NEW REPORT SHOWS PATH TO CHEAP, CLEAN AND WARM BUILDINGS
“Our elected officials must invest in the energy efficiency of Vermont’s buildings if they are serious about fighting global warming. Cutting the amount of energy needed to heat our homes is one important way to help stop global warming while saving money,” said James Moore, an author of the report and VPIRG’s Clean Energy Advocate. “We have the potential to create hundreds of new family wage jobs in Vermont and lead the nation by investing in energy efficient building improvements.” |
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VERMONT IS GETTING HOTTER
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VERMONT'S REPORT CARD FOR GLOBAL WARMING:
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C- FOR POLICIES, F FOR POLLUTION REDUCTION