Legislative

Senator Bernie Sanders: Burlington Electric Energy Efficiency Grant 10/01/2012

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger, and Department of Public Service Commissioner Elizabeth Miller today plan to announce a $1 million grant for an energy efficiency program in Burlington. The U.S. Economic Development Administration grant, authorized by a Sanders provision in an energy bill, will help the Burlington Electric Department provide innovative on-bill financing for energy efficiency projects. On-bill financing is a utility-run program that offers upfront funds to customers to make money-saving improvements that save energy and lower utility bills. The savings on customers' energy bills then are used to make installment payments on the energy efficiency projects. This program will initially be focused on small businesses.

Legislative Report: Democratic Candidates for Chittenden 6-3 09/17/2012

Representative Joey Donovan (D) speaks with the two Democraticc Candidates for Burlington's Chittenden 6-3 Seat, Jill Krowinski and Curt McCormack.

Senator Patrick Leahy: Doppler Radar Upgrade in Vermont 08/27/2012

Senator Patrick Leahy and the policy director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Sally Yozell, announce completion of a significant Doppler radar upgrade in Vermont. The new radar technology will help forecasters more accurately track, assess and warn the public of high-impact weather, including heavy rain, flash flooding, snow-to-rain changeover, and snowfall at various elevations. Meteorologist Andy Nash and Peter Coffey of Vermont Emergency Management share insights as well.

Senator Patrick Leahy: IBM and Howard Center Energy Reduction Project 08/24/2012

Senator Patrick Leahy, a longtime supporter of energy efficiency programs, joins IBM and the Howard Center for Human Services in celebrating their successful partnership in implementing IBM's energy management system.

Senator Bernie Sanders: EPA Administrator at Vermont National Guard Solar Installation 08/23/2012

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson tour a solar power installation at the Vermont National Guard, sharing insights at this press conference.

One of the largest solar projects at any National Guard base in the country was completed in 2011. It was built with $8.5 million that Sanders secured to make the base one of the greenest in the United States. At a time when the U.S. Defense Department is the largest consumer of energy in the world, the Vermont National Guard is a model for what other military institutions can be doing.

Senator Bernie Sanders: Press Conference on the Benefits of the Smart-Grid in Vermont 08/20/2012

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and some of the state's environmental leaders' news conference on the benefits of “smart grid” technology in Vermont.

Vermont is a leader in the nation on development of a smarter, stronger, more efficient and reliable electric system that promotes renewable energy sources and saves consumers money.The head of the Vermont Electric Cooperative will share what the Johnson, Vt.-based utility learned through its almost universal deployment of the smart grid. Top officials of some of Vermont’s leading nonprofits will also detail the benefits of this new technology.

Who: Sens. Bernie Sanders; Scott Johnstone, executive director of the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation; Paul Burns, executive director of the Vermont Public Interest Research Group; Brian Shupe, executive director of the Vermont Natural Resources Council; and David Hallquist, CEO of Vermont Electric Cooperative.

Senator Patrick Leahy: Peace Corps Director, Aaron Williams 08/16/2012

Senator Patrick Leahy, chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Operations Subcommittee of Appropriations, hosts Peace Corps Director Aaron Williams. They highlight a business operated by returned Peace Corps volunteer Charles Kerchner, who served in the Dominican Republic 2001-2003. Vermont is nationally ranked on the 2011 Peace Corps Top State list for per-capita volunteer production, with 47 currently-serving Peace Corps volunteers. Historically, Vermont has produced 1,422 Peace Corps volunteers who have helped promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of the 139 countries in which they have served.The University of Vermont ranks No. 5 on the 2012 top Peace Corps volunteer-producing colleges and universities in the medium size category, with 42 undergraduate alumni currently serving overseas. Since the agency was founded in 1961, 801 UVM alumni have served in the Peace Corps.

Senator Bernie Sanders: Senate Field Hearing - Vermont Gas Prices 08/06/2012

U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee holds a field hearing to explore gasoline prices in northwestern Vermont. Sen. Bernie Sanders chairs the hearing. Witnesses include Ben Brockwell, director of data, pricing and information services for the Oil Price Information Service; Rob Leuck, vice president and regional manager of Costco Whoesale, Jim Coutts, director Franklin County Senior Center; Joe Choquette III of the Vermont Petroleum Association; and Gail Horne, owner of the Keelers Bay Variety Store (and gas station) in South Hero, Vt.

Congressman Peter Welch: House Inaction on New Farm Bill 07/31/2012

With House leaders refusing so far to take up a bipartisan 5-year reauthorization of the Farm Bill, Rep. Peter Welch is joined by Rep. Bill Owens (D, NY-23), Sheldon dairy farmer Bill Rowell, and St. Albans Cooperative Creamery general manager Leon Berthiaume and Bob Wellington, Agri-Mark. The current Farm Bill is set to expire on September 30, 2012. On July 12, the House Agriculture Committee, in a strong bipartisan vote of 35-11, approved a comprehensive 5-year reauthorization of federal agriculture programs that included key new protections for Vermont dairy farmers. In June, the Senate approved its version of a new Farm Bill which includes similar dairy provisions strongly supported by Senator Patrick Leahy, the senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and Senator Bernie Sanders.

Instead of taking up the bill approved by the Agriculture Committee, the House of Representatives will take up a one-year extension of the existing Farm Bill which will reduce payments to Vermont dairy farmers under the current Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) program.

Senator Bernie Sanders: Employee Ownership Bills 07/23/2012

Sen. Sanders announces legislation to provide training, grants, and technical support for programs promoting employee ownership and participation. He will also introduce a bill creating a U.S. Employee Ownership Bank to provide loans and loan guarantees to employees to purchase a business through an employee stock ownership plan.
Sanders is joined by Paul Millman, Co-Founder and CEO of Chroma Technology Corporation, Cindy Turcot, Chief Operating Officer of Gardener’s Supply Company and Mary Steiger, President of PT 360.

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Applications Now Open for the Spring 2025 Cohort of the Neighborhood Community Media Internship Program

Town Meeting TV is excited to announce that applications are now open for the Spring 2025 cohort of the Neighborhood Community Media Internship program. Join up to 8 other youth to engage in interesting media making projects! This paid media internship opportunity is designed for youth aged 16-20 who are eager to gain professional experience in the audio-visual field and develop a deeper understanding of their local community. The group will meet under the leadership of Town Meeting TV's Travis Washington from the end of January 2025 to the beginning of June 2025, on a schedule agreed upon by the whole cohort. Click here to apply!