You know that sinking feeling? The one where you think you’ve done a good job, but it turns out you didn’t? That’s the boat Vermont finds itself in when it comes to tackling climate change. We thought we were leading. But in fact, we are falling behind on our climate goals. Vermont’s climate-damaging emissions are…
Aug 15
2018
2018
Aug 13
2018
2018
Dangerous Heat Waves Demand Immediate Climate Action
If someone had told me last spring that the August forecast for Vermont showed seven days above 90 degrees, I wouldn’t have believed them. Yet in Burlington last month my thermometer read, day after day: 91, 94, 99, 97, 95, 97, and 96. Since then, we’ve seen the temperatures soar past 90 degrees again and…
Aug 8
2018
2018
Eight Dangerous Landfills Expanding in New England
CLF’s Zero Waste program has identified eight New England landfills that want dangerous expansions, a surefire way to increase the pollution they emit into the air, soil, and water. We’re working to stop them from expanding.
Aug 2
2018
2018
Fighting for Successful Clean Car Standards
Today, the Trump administration moved to unwind critically important rules for combatting climate change, protecting community health, and saving us all money. The Obama-era “clean car standards” were created to make our cars cleaner and more fuel-efficient. And they’re working – EPA itself has said so. Since 2011, the standards have reduced oil consumption in…
Aug 2
2018
2018
EPA Rolls Back Clean Car Standards
“The EPA and NHTSA are prioritizing fossil fuel interests over the health of our communities,” said CLF Staff Attorney Emily K. Green. “Strong vehicle emissions standards are critical to addressing climate change, and weakening them will put the health of millions of Americans at risk. This decision disproportionately harms the most vulnerable among us, while forcing families and businesses to pay more at the pump. We will continue to fight this rollback with every tool available.”
Jul 30
2018
2018
CLF Challenges Permits that Increase Pollution into Lake Champlain
“Vermont cannot be a champion of conservation when state authorities are giving towns the green light to dump more toxic pollution into Lake Champlain,” said Elena Mihaly, Staff Attorney, Conservation Law Foundation. “Lake Champlain is a natural treasure and economic driver for Vermont and it is the agency’s obligation to protect our waters. Granting permits that will increase pollution flowing into this iconic lake is irresponsible, reckless, and unlawful.”
Jul 23
2018
2018
All Landfills Leak, and Our Health and Environment Pay the Toxic Price
All landfills leak – some over time and some from day one of operation – leaching toxic chemicals into the ground and the water supply. Despite state and federal regulation, landfills are harming the health and environment of communities in New England.
Jul 20
2018
2018
10 Things You Can Do to Help Protect Our Waters
Nutrient pollution impacts waterways across New England, from Lake Champlain to Narragansett Bay. These waters all carry excess levels of nitrogen or phosphorous – a problem caused by fertilizer running off of farms and lawns and animal waste from confined animal feeding operations. Another major cause is human sewage improperly treated by septic systems or overflowed…
Jul 20
2018
2018
Coventry Landfill Expansion: An Unnecessary Evil
The Coventry Landfill sits on over 600 acres in northern Vermont, and Casella Waste wants to expand it an additional 51 acres. This expansion is unnecessary and dangerous to the health of Vermonters.
Jul 17
2018
2018
How to Modernize Our Electricity Grid
Our electricity grid was designed over 100 years ago. But our technology has evolved since then. Clean, renewable energy from solar panels and wind turbines is available right where we live. But we need a smarter, more modern grid to make the most of it.