VPIRG News Coverage

Douglas vetoes Yankee decommissioning bill

2008-05-08T15:17:00.001-04:00

May 8, 2008

MONTPELIER — Gov. Jim Douglas vetoed a bill that could have required Vermont Yankee to boost its commitment to the nuclear power plant’s decommissioning fund, saying he was protecting Vermont’s electric costs.

Those who supported the bill, however, said the measure would have protected Vermonters against long-term costs associated with the plant’s eventual closure.

Legislators who supported the bill wanted the plant’s owner to be held to a higher shutdown standard than is included in the 2002 Public Service Board agreement with Entergy. That agreement allows for waste to be contained at the plant for up to 60 years, during which the decommissioning fund would be expected to grow with interest. Symington called that time frame “ludicrous.”

“That was clearly a bad deal,” said Paul Burns, executive director of Vermont Public Interest Research Group. “What’s wrong with improving the situation if it’s going to be sold?”

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Vermont Passes New Legislation limiting Lead, Phthalates and Mercury!

2008-05-07T15:13:00.000-04:00

NON-TOXIC KIDS BLOG

http://www.non-toxickids.net/2008/05/vermont-passes-new-legislation-limiting.html

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

As Vermont's legislative session closed, I held my breath and hoped that all or most of the environmental health bills would pass. And happily, most of them did.

The bill that I had been most involved in, S.152, the Lead in Consumer Products bill, passed both the House and the Senate.

Also passed by the House and Senate was H.352, the Lead in Housing bill.

To protect our families from the mercury contained in older thermostats, H.515 increased the manufacturers responsibility for the disposal of mercury containing thermostats. The bill sets up goals for recycling thermostats, gives a $5 amount to homeowners or contractors to recycle them, and sets up a reporting system about the progress of the recycling program.

And lastly, a bill that was threatened when lobbyists from Exxon Mobil flew in to little ole' Vermont to fight it, survived. S.261, Phthalates in Children’s Products, was passed by the House and Senate. This bill restricts the use of phthalates in toys and child care products for children under 3.

I want to thank Charity Carbine, of Vermont Public Interest Research Group for her tireless efforts in support of these bills, and the entire VPIRG staff for looking out for Vermont families.

House fails to override campaign finance veto by one vote

2008-04-26T14:48:00.001-04:00

April 26, 2008

MONTPELIER — For the second time in a year, the Vermont House failed by a single vote to override Gov. James Douglas' veto of a new campaign finance reform bill.Friday's vote of 99-51 came one vote shy of the two-thirds majority needed to override the veto of the bill, which would have set specific contribution limits for political candidates.

House Speaker Gaye Symington, D-Jericho, who made the rare move Friday of casting her vote to override the veto from the speaker's podium, said she was disappointed in the outcome and cast her blame toward Douglas, whom she is considering a run against this year.

After Douglas vetoed last year's campaign finance bill — a veto that House lawmakers also failed to override by a single vote during a special summer session — Symington said lawmakers sought a compromise with the governor.

"We'll be back here next year," Burns said. "And until then, the problem of money in politics will only get worse."

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Toxin bill raises hunters' ire

2008-04-24T16:44:00.001-04:00

April 24, 2008

MONTPELIER – A bill outlawing a family of chemicals in children's toys would not, normally, attract the ire of hunters and fisherman.

But a measure banning phthalates – substances used to make plastics more durable and flexible – in children's products has done just that. The measure, S.261, has passed the Senate and will soon be taken up again by the House Human Services Committee, perhaps as early as today.

The bill would outlaw the manufacture and sale of "child care articles" and toys containing the plastic additives, some of which have been found in some studies to be linked to development and reproductive problems. California...

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Vermont considers banning lead from kids' toys

2008-04-23T09:39:00.001-04:00

NECN

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

(Anya Huneke, NECN: Montpelier, VT) - As the legislative session winds down in Vermont, lawmakers are putting serious thought into a number of bills, including one that would ban lead in children's toys. Bill supporters say it would set a precedent on how our country should aggressively tackle the issue.

Armed with a radioactive device, Todd Hobson made his way around a room at the Vermont State House in Montpelier Wednesday. As an Environmental Consultant, Hobson is trained to test for lead.

A handful of products were laid out by the Vermont Public Interest Research Group - to illustrate how easy it is to find lead in everyday items. Many of such items are used by children, which is why VPIRG and some other advocacy organizations, are pushing for a bill in Vermont that would ban lead in toys and phase out lead in certain other products, such as plumbing fixtures and wheel weights for cars.

Watch video here

Middlebury students to host climate change conference

2008-04-16T10:02:00.000-04:00

April 16, 2008

MIDDLEBURY ― College and high school students from across Vermont will come to Middlebury College starting Saturday for the Power Shift Vermont Youth Climate Conference.

Power Shift Vermont will focus on empowering and educating Vermont youth with the tools they need to take action on the climate crisis and find solutions. The conference includes a weekend of events followed by a trip to Montpelier on Monday to lobby lawmakers for strong legislation aimed at combating climate change.

Over the weekend students will also prepare to lobby legislators at the Statehouse in Montpelier with the help of Johanna Miller of the Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC) and James Moore of Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG). On their trip to Montpelier, students will rally at the Statehouse at 10 a.m. in support of the Vermont Senate bill S.350, which cuts Vermont carbon emissions at least 75 percent by 2050. They will also advocate for the creation of a green jobs program in Vermont and encourage renewable energy and sustainability in all sectors, including heating and transportation. They will meet with lawmakers throughout the day to discuss these issues.

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Yankee review heavily debated

2008-04-16T10:00:00.000-04:00

April 16, 2008

MONTPELIER — Federal regulators said Tuesday they will consider expanding the scope of their inspection of the Vermont Yankee facility in Vernon, but lawmakers and advocates said the promise does not ensure an adequate review of the 36-year-old nuclear plant.

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Lawmakers will try to override vetoes

2008-04-14T10:06:00.000-04:00

April 14, 2008

MONTPELIER — The Legislature will soon decide if two bills should become law even though they were rejected by Gov. James Douglas.

Since legislators would like to have those veto override votes completed before the end of the session, slated for early May, the state Senate may begin that process as early as this week.

One of the bills, establishing campaign-finance limits, is likely to gain most of the attention.
It is much less likely that the other, creating an instant-runoff voting system for Congressional elections in Vermont, would win the two-thirds majority in both the Senate and the House needed to override a veto.

The Vermont Public Interest Research Group, which has been a major force behind the campaign finance bill, has taken aim at Douglas' message on that veto.

In his veto message Douglas said the bill, by limiting how much money political parties can give to their candidates, protects incumbents.

"The proposed party contribution limits extend unfair political protection to incumbents by establishing an obstacle for challengers," Douglas said.

Not really, according to VPIRG. During the 2002, 2004 and 2006 election cycles — when Vermont's very strict campaign limits of $200 were in place — incumbent state House members were more likely to lose their seats than they have been in the years before or afterward, according to the group's research.

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Report: Global Warming Pollution Drops in Vt

2008-03-26T16:40:00.000-04:00

Montpelier, Vermont - March 26, 2008

A new report finds global warming pollution has dropped in Vermont and across New England.

Activists say it's a good sign. They credit lower transportation emissions and people using less heating fuel. It's a trend environmentalists want to see continued. They're asking the state to encourage more public transportation. And they want a voluntary pledge to decrease emissions 25-percent by 2012 made mandatory.

"This is the beginning potentially of a good trend but we're not going to continue to reduce our global warming pollution by hoping it is going to happen or by talking about it happening. We need action," says James Moore of VPIRG.

"Today's youth considers global warming to be the greatest challenge facing our generation-- global warming threatens the economy, environment and general quality of life in Vermont...

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It should be easy to stop junk mail

2008-03-16T11:11:00.000-04:00

By Paul Burns
March 16, 2008

Each year, the direct mail industry sends Vermonters over 40 million pounds of junk mail or 64 pounds per person, with little regard to whether people actually want to receive their solicitations for credit cards, cable TV and the like.

Fortunately, Rep. Chris Pearson, P-Burlington, and 25 tri-partisan co-sponsors in the Vermont House have introduced H.409 to create an opt-in Do Not Mail registry, modeled after the very popular Do Not Call registry. Since 2003, the Do Not Call registry has provided more than 150 million people with a free and comprehensive way to end intrusive telemarketing calls. It is arguably the most popular consumer-rights bill ever passed.

We believe individuals should have a similar choice about receiving unsolicited mail. In 2006, America's mailboxes were stuffed with over 104 billion pieces...

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Entergy Corp. feeling legislative heat

2008-03-15T11:08:00.000-04:00

March 15, 2008

MONTPELIER -- Hundreds of bills filtered through the Statehouse this week as the legislative session reached its midpoint, but no topic was the focus of more of them than Vermont Yankee.

Four bills zeroed in on issues surrounding the Vernon nuclear power plant, including two coming out of committees Friday. At least one more might be coming from legislators who question the plant's physical and financial safety.

The scrutiny comes as the Legislature gears up for a vote next year on whether the plant should be allowed to continue operating beyond 2012, when the plant will be 40 years old and its license expires.

"As somebody said yesterday, at the Vermont Statehouse we have the Vermont Yankee channel 24 hours a day," said Brian Cosgrove, spokesman for Vermont Yankee. Though he was joking, he finds the legislation no laughing matter.

"It's reasonable for a thinking Vermonter to conclude that at least some of the goals would make it difficult to relicense Vermont Yankee," Cosgrove said.

That would be fine with some supporters of the bills. "I think they all point to the problem Vermont's facing with an aging nuclear power plant," said James Moore, energy policy coordinator for Vermont Public Interest Group.

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Vt. lawmakers mull idea of same-day voter registration

2008-03-14T11:05:00.000-04:00

March 14, 2008

MONTPELIER – With an eye toward boosting voter turnout in Vermont, some lawmakers are considering allowing residents to register to vote right up through Election Day.

At least nine other states, including neighbors New Hampshire and Maine, allow residents to register to vote on the same day as an election and advocates say that has led to increased voter turnout.

In Vermont, residents must register to vote six days prior to an election, usually the Wednesday prior to a Tuesday election. And while Vermont has a higher turnout than the national average, it still ranks 17th among the states, according to the secretary of state's office.

Allowing for same-day registration could boost statewide voter turnout by nearly 5 percent, according to Paul Burns, the executive director of the Vermont Public Interest Research Group, who distributed copies of a study on the issue released this winter by Demos, a New York City-based nonprofit group.

He added that turnout among young voters, typically the lowest among all the age demographics, could be increased by 10 percent, and turnout for low-income voters could be boosted by 6 percent.

"Vermont is very proud of its high voter turnout," he said. "But we can do better."

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Douglas seeks independent review of Yankee

2008-03-13T11:00:00.001-04:00

March 13, 2008

MONTPELIER -- Gov. Jim Douglas decided Wednesday to jump-start the process to have an independent assessment of the safety and reliability of the Entergy Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant rather than wait for lawmakers to pass a bill detailing the scope for such an evaluation.

Senators, meanwhile, voted 24-3 Wednesday to give preliminary approval to a bill that sets out the scope of the review they would like to see. The bill calls for the Department of Public Service to select an independent team of experts to conduct a detailed audit of the plant -- an evaluation that could cost the plant as much as $25 million.

James Moore of the Vermont Public Interest Research Group counters that before the Legislature or the Vermont Public Service Board considers whether Vermont Yankee should stay open past 2012, "the plant deserves a top-to-bottom look." He argued that the Senate bill didn't go far enough.

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VT Senate wants detailed inspection of nuclear plant

2008-03-12T10:57:00.001-04:00

Wednesday March 12, 2008
Montpelier, Vt.

(Host) The Vermont Senate has called for a detailed inspection of the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant. Lawmakers say they need the independent inspection before they vote on whether to extend the plant's license for another 20 years.

VPR's John Dillon reports.

...(Dillon) But the Vermont Public Interest Research Group says the legislation falls short. James Moore is the group's energy expert.

(Moore) We commend the Senate for doing the work that they did on this bill. However, it doesn't go far enough. It looks at approximately 15% of the Vermont Yankee facility. And Vermonters deserve to have the entire facility looked at.

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My Turn: Countdown to digital disaster

2008-03-04T10:55:00.000-05:00

By Charity Carbine
March 4, 2008

Like most Americans, I love technology. I appreciate speedy computers and cringe when the hourglass prevents my immediate access to a document. I enjoy having 5,000 songs in a device that can squeeze into the pocket of my jeans. I take comfort in having my cell phone on me at all times even when I know it won't get reception for another 20 miles. And I agree that the picture on the new big screen TVs is hard to beat.

But I'm also aware that there is a huge cost associated with this growing wave of technological waste. Electronic waste, commonly referred to as e-waste, is the fastest growing waste stream...

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Lawmakers call for review of Vermont Yankee safety

2008-03-01T10:48:00.000-05:00

March 1, 2008

MONTPELIER -- A Senate committee wants to require an independent review of the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant, with oversight by a panel appointed by the Legislature.

The Senate Finance Committee passed a bill this week that would require a "vertical audit" of the plant before the state decides whether the plant should continue operation beyond its current license, which expires in 2012.

James Moore, energy policy coordinator for the Vermont Public Interest Research Group, said his group would like to see a more in-depth review. "We think if this facility is going to continue past the closing date in 2012 it should have a top to bottom, inside out look," he said. "That's a small price to pay."

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Light Bulb Warning

2008-02-25T10:45:00.000-05:00

Montpelier, Vermont - February 25, 2008

Lots of people are buying compact fluorescent light bulbs, or CFLs. But some environmental advocates are concerned about how people get rid of them if they break. That's because they contain small amounts of mercury.

"When the bulbs are broken that mercury vapor can be released into a home and it's obviously never a good idea to be exposed to mercury in your home. That is the primary concern," explains Charity Carbine of the Vt. Public Interest Research Group.

A study released Monday by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection confirmed that mercury released by a broken CFL can pose a health risk. It issued guidelines for cleaning it up safely.

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VT Edition Interview: Steve Wark, Bob Young & James Moore on Vermont's energy future

2008-02-15T10:41:00.001-05:00

Friday February 15, 2008

Montpelier, VT-- What should be the key elements of Vermont's energy future? More reliance on renewable sources, a new contract with Hydro Quebec, a contract extension for the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant or perhaps a new natural gas fired facility in Chittenden County? Those are some of the questions VPR's Bob Kinzel had for Steve Wark from the Public Service Department, Bob Young, president of the Central Vermont Public Service Corporation and James Moore, energy specialist at the Vermont Public Interest Research Group

Listen to interview here

House passes new version of last year's energy bill

2008-02-14T16:57:00.000-05:00

February 14, 2008

MONTPELIER – The Vermont House on Wednesday passed by a massive margin a new version of the energy bill shot down last year by Gov. James Douglas' veto.

But the Murphy's Law of legislating remained in place: If lawmakers make compromises to gain support on one side, they risk loosing the bill on the other.

So while the House version of the bill offered the Douglas administration some compromises compared to last year's measure, it may run into trouble when it heads back to the Senate, where those compromises might not be popular. And some renewable energy advocates were lukewarm in their support of the House version, at best.

(...)Advocates of wind power development said the bill, in fact, doesn't go far enough to encourage such alternative energy. The problem, they said, is the establishment of a minimum tax on wind projects based on their top potential capacity, whether they are running or not. If the turbines were running, the tax would be based on actual production.

That could especially be a problem for small and mid-sized projects of one or two turbines, such as might be put up by a town or village, said James Moore of the Vermont Public Interest Research Group.

"For that community, it could effectively triple their tax" if the turbines were not operating, Moore said.

The bill does not move far enough fast enough on implementing the new efficiency programs either, and gives too much say to the administration in how they are structured, Moore said.
More importantly, however, is the realization in the Statehouse that Vermonters want such a program, Moore said.

"Republicans, Democrats and Progressives all recognize that Vermonters want renewable energy and want help reducing their heating bills" he said.

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Bill would boost mammogram coverage

2008-02-13T16:52:00.001-05:00

February 13, 2008

MONTPELIER — Cassandra LaRae-Perez was surprised when she found out she would have to pay out of pocket for a mammogram. She was even more shocked when she learned that — at 39 — she had breast cancer.

Now, having gone through surgery and still in radiation therapy, LaRae-Perez wanted to do something good with what she learned. By coincidence, as a lobbyist for one of the state's largest lobbying and law firms, she knew her way around the Statehouse.

"When something like this happens you want something good to come out of it," she said
Now a bill LaRae-Perez worked on with the Vermont Public Interest Research Group and was introduced by Sen. John Campbell, D-Windsor, is scheduled to be on the floor of the Senate today.

"This bill makes sure no woman in Vermont has to pay more than $25 out of pocket for a screening mammogram," said Stefanie Sidortsova of VPIRG.

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Panel hears pros and cons of junk mail

2008-02-08T16:49:00.001-05:00

February 8, 2008

MONTPELIER -- Residents of the 22 towns in the Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District probably receive 23 million pieces of junk mail a year, said Donna Barlow Casey, the district's executive director.

Whether it's recycled or ends up in a landfill, Casey said managing junk mail costs the district $168,000 annually.

"Junk mail is a waste," Casey told members of the House Commerce Committee on Thursday. "A waste of resources, a waste of time, a waste of money." She told lawmakers she welcomed a bill that would set up a registry for Vermonters who don't wish to receive unsolicited commercial mail.

"To me, the key question on the table is whether or not Vermonters have the right to control their own mailboxes," said Paul Burns, executive director of the Vermont Public Interest Research Group.

Burns noted that it's possible to contact businesses and ask them to stop sending advertisements. People can also register with a mail preference service run by the Direct Mail Association.
Burns asked the committee, "Why aren't we doing more to make it easy for people?"

He also questioned an economic model of direct mail, noting that responses to unsolicited advertising run around 3 percent.

"There has got to be a better way than having a 97 percent waste rate," Burns said. Mailers don't pay the full cost of this wasteful system, he added. It's the people who receive junk mail who incur the cost of disposing or recycling it.

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Douglas still not happy with campaign finance bill

2008-02-08T16:42:00.000-05:00

February 8, 2008

MONTPELIER — The House Government Operations Committee gave Gov. Jim Douglas half of what he wanted in a revised campaign finance reform bill — but it may not be enough to avert a veto.

“We continue to have serious concerns about the bill,” Jason Gibbs, spokesman for Douglas, said today.

The House panel weighed whether to give Douglas everything he wanted, but lawmakers decided they were comfortable with the bill as they had written it. They voted 9-0 to send the bill to the full House for a vote Wednesday.

The bill, as written, would take effect immediately. That’s a problem, said Rob Roper, chairman of the Vermont Republican Party. “You are changing the rules in the middle of the campaign season.”

Paul Burns, executive director of the Vermont Public Interest Research Group, sees minimal legal risk because the Legislature paid attention to the guidelines set out in the U.S. Supreme Court decision. He said, “It’s a common sense bill that allows fair participation in elections while preventing a few political action committees, corporations or individuals from dominating the process.”

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VPIRG works for the public

2008-02-05T15:59:00.000-05:00

February 5, 2008

Jack McMullen criticized the public interest effort to prevent special interest money from taking over Vermont elections as it has elsewhere in America ("VPIRG's hold on Democratic Party," Jan. 30).

To his credit, McMullen noted that the Vermont Public Interest Research Group has a long history of success fighting in the public's interest for things like clear air, clean water and safe cars. He could also have added that in standing up for average Vermonters, VPIRG challenges some of the most powerful corporate interests in this country.

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VT Edition Interview: Paul Burns & Rob Roper on campaign finance reform

2008-01-25T15:57:00.000-05:00

Friday January 25, 2008
Bob Kinzel
Colchester, VT

New campaign finance reform legislation is passing quickly through the Legislature. Is it too late for lawmakers to pass this bill and let it apply to this year election? VPR's Bob Kinzel talks with Paul Burns, the Executive Director of Vermont Public Interest Research Group and Rob Roper, Chairman of the Vermont Republican Party about the bill's chances.

Listen to the interview here
http://www.vpr.net/news_detail/79088/

Campaign finance reform bill moving quickly through Legislature

2008-01-25T15:48:00.000-05:00

Friday January 25, 2008
Montpelier, Vt.

(Host) Supporters of a new campaign finance reform bill say their measure is needed to eliminate "the appearance" of corruption in Vermont politics.

The Vermont Public Interest Research Group is a strong supporter of the new campaign finance reform bill. VPIRG's executive director is Paul Burns:

(Burns)"There is an appearance of corruption that the court has also recognized as being a legitimate reason for putting some rational limits what individuals corporations PACS and others can give to candidates the limits contained in this bill are not the lowest in the nation and we are not trying to limit what candidates can spend in a race."

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