The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets is revising Vermont’s agricultural standards. The new Required Agricultural Practices (RAPs) represent an important opportunity to transition to a sustainable agricultural system that improves water quality. Fostering environmentally sensitive practices is important because many lakes and rivers across the state are polluted, in part, due to agricultural…
Dec 23
2015
2015
Dec 10
2015
2015
A Model for the Future: Maine Looks at Alternate Ways to Boost Solar Power Adoption
The world’s focus today is on how we can de-carbonize our power supply in ways that are good for people, our planet, and our global economy. There’s no question that solar power will play a key role in our transition to a clean-energy-fueled power grid here in the U.S. – but how to best adapt that grid to absorb dramatic growth in the number of solar-powered homes and businesses remains an open question.
Dec 5
2015
2015
News From COP21: New England States and International Partners Commit to Get More Zero-Emission Vehicles On The Road
Thirteen jurisdictions – nations, U.S. states, and one Canadian province – calling themselves the “International Zero-Emission Vehicle Alliance” announced that they have jointly committed to ensure that all new car, SUV, and truck sales are zero-emission vehicles “as fast as possible, and no later than 2050.” Four of those states are right here in New England.
Dec 3
2015
2015
We Delivered! 25,000 Strong – And Growing
On the eve of climate talks in Paris, we delivered in Vermont.
We delivered more than 25,000 postcards and petition signatures to Vermont lawmakers. All supporting a price on carbon pollution.
Oct 7
2015
2015
Protecting Act 250 and Important Vermont Farmland
We recently sent this e-mail to Vermont supporters as a continuation of the work by Conservation Law Foundation, Preservation Trust of Vermont, and Vermont Natural Resources Council, to uphold Act 250 and protect important Vermont farmland…
Oct 6
2015
2015
Could an Electric Car Be in Your Future?
Cars. They cost a lot and pollute a lot. One exciting new opportunity to address both these problems are electric cars. They’ve come a long way. Gone are the days when the Toyota Prius was the only hybrid available to consumers. My interest in this was recently sparked at a gathering I attended of electric…
Sep 9
2015
2015
Another Significant Step Toward a Clean and Healthy Lake Champlain
Last week, CLF and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets (AAFM) agreed to an historic settlement that provides the blueprint for farmers to reach Vermont’s goal of clean and healthy waters across the state. This agreement comes nearly a year after AAFM originally rejected CLF’s petition for stricter standards for agricultural operations. However, the context…
Jul 22
2015
2015
Paving Farmland? No Thanks!
Massive over-development of valuable farmland at a rural highway exit in Vermont just doesn’t make sense.
Jul 16
2015
2015
Blue-Green Algae Causes Burlington Beach Closure
Monday’s closure of two popular beaches in Burlington is a stark reminder of why Vermont’s focus on water quality is so timely and important. Sightings of blue-green algae along the Burlington shoreline prompted low alert warnings last Friday and led to beach closures in the area earlier this week.
Jun 16
2015
2015
Governor Shumlin Signs Landmark Clean Water Bill in Vermont
Today Governor Shumlin signed legislation known as H.35, which takes significant first steps toward cleaning up the devastating pollution that plagues Vermont’s waterways. CLF has pushed for years for government action to clean up Lake Champlain and other waterways in the state, and I was pleased to stand beside Governor Shumlin today as he signed this historic bill into law.