Stand up for wind in Vermont
February 2, 2012
A message from Paul Burns, VPIRG Executive Director:
You may recall hearing last fall that my infant son and I attended the ribbon cutting event at the Sheffield Wind project. It was an amazing day filled with hope about what the future holds for clean, local energy in Vermont.
The next day an anti-wind activist called me a "corporate nature rapist."
Last week we shared with you our plans to press for a ban in Vermont on the dirty and dangerous practice of fracking for natural gas. Another wind opponent responded by saying that he'd "rather see fracking than destroying our ridgelines with industrial towers."
These and other opponents to wind power are aggressively lobbying elected officials. Make sure they are not the only ones heard from on this important issue.
Stand up for wind with a call to your legislators. Here's how:
- Look up who your legislators are here, if you don't already know.
- Between 8 am – 4:30 pm call the State House at 828-2228.
- Leave a brief message for all of your legislators, like: "Please support the development of clean wind energy in Vermont."
Now, it's not a surprise that someone who sides with Big Oil on fracking is not a supporter of renewable wind power. And I can assure you that no matter how outrageous the personal attacks of anti-wind zealots are, VPIRG will not shy away from standing up for clean energy.
As I mentioned, a small yet persistent group of activists opposed to wind energy are agressively lobbying against renewable energy in Vermont. It's critical that we make sure legislators are hearing from wind energy supporters too!
To be clear, VPIRG supports small-scale wind, solar and other renewable energy projects in the state. In fact, no one's doing more for small renewable than we are. In 2011 we helped more than 275 families go solar through our Solar Communities program. Our State House advocacy work supporting renewable energy incentives and the creation of the standard offer program has helped to spark new growth in the small-scale renewables market here.
But it's important to keep in mind that we need a healthy mix of clean energy sources – large and small – if we're going to be serious about cutting our dependency on fossil fuels and addressing climate change.
It would take well over 800 backyard wind turbines, or nearly 2,000 rooftop solar installations, to generate as much power as a single wind turbine at Sheffield. So this is not realistically a choice between large and small renewables. We need both. And we need your help to get there. Thanks!
JOIN THE CALL FOR CLEAN ENERGY
January 30, 2012
From getting more of our electricity from clean, renewable sources to a ban on fracking, the coming weeks are big for VPIRG-backed clean energy initiatives in the Legislature.
Join us by asking your reps to support clean energy and adding your name to ban fracking.
Don't Frack Vermont
January 26, 2012
VPIRG is working to make Vermont the first state in the nation to ban the drilling process known as hydraulic fracturing. Hydrofracking, or fracking as the practice is also known, can be extremely hazardous to the environment and a danger to public health for a number of reasons.
Read more about the dangers of fracking here.
Join the VT Right to Know GMOs Campaign
January 26, 2012
With genetically engineered foods taking up more and more shelf space at the local supermarket, it is increasingly important consumers have the ability to know exactly what they are putting in their bodies. VPIRG and partners are working to pass a bill that will require the labeling of genetically engineered foods sold in Vermont. This law will not only help protect Vermont’s consumers, but will lead the charge towards much needed change.
Sign up to stay informed and get involved in the campaign!
Save the Date: Health Reform 2012 - What's Next and Why it Matters
January 13, 2012
Excited about Vermont heading toward universal health care but concerned about what the federal reforms coming our way means for your or your business' coverage?
What does "federal health benefit exchange" even mean?
We hear you: it's confusing.
That's why we're hosting two interactive webinars, one for individuals and one for small business owners, focused on how the health benefit exchange fits into our path to universal, affordable health care access. Find out what you can do and get your questions answered directly by representatives from the Green Mountain Care Board, the Vermont Campaign for Health Care Security, the Small Business Majority and VPIRG's health care advocate Cassandra Gekas.
Stay Strong on VY
January 10, 2012
In a blow to clean energy and the public interest, U.S. District Court Judge Garvan Murtha sided with Entergy and struck down key sections of Vermont law in his ruling on Entergy Louisiana's lawsuit.
He didn't give Entergy everything it wanted though. The state retains some important oversight of the nuclear plant. It looks like questions about continued operation of the plant will now go back to the Public Service Board.
While the outcome of the ruling is unfortunate, the decision the legislature made was the right one.
A bigger, better Bottle Bill
January 4, 2012
The Bottle Bill is Vermont's single most effective recycling program. VPIRG's campagin for a "Bigger Better Bottle" builds on the Bottle Bill's enormous success by updating the program to keep millions more containers out of landfills and off of roadsides, and we need your help. Click here to show your support!
Vermont recycles 85% of all beverage containers covered by the Bottle Bill, while states without a bottle bill recycle, on average, fewer than 25% of these same containers. Updating our state's Bottle Bill to include non-carbonated beverage containers will increase recycling rates, moving literally millions of bottles from roadsides and landfills to recycling centers.
Allowing the State – rather than the beverage industry – to keep the unclaimed nickels would provide millions of dollars for important environmental and conservation programs.
And while five cents may not seem like a lot of money, it adds up for groups like Cub Scouts, Little Leagues, and many other community groups who hold bottle drives to raise money for their projects. For example, after Tropical Storm Irene, more than 130,000 cans and bottles were collected generating over $8,000 for farm disaster relief through VPIRG's Redeem to Rebuild bottle drive.
Despite the amazing success of the Bottle Bill, the beverage industry is leading a serious effort to repeal the law. Rather than going backwards, we should be building on the success of the Bottle Bill by updating it.
What's your health care story?
December 22, 2011
Change is never easy, particularly when addressing problems as complicated as those health care brings up.
It's time for health coverage to make sense - and for us to make sure that the $5 billion we're spending each year actually pays for care.
We want to build a compelling picture of what's going on in our communities, and to do so, we need to hear from you. Whether you're a business owner, provider, young adult, senior citizen, family caregiver, etc. – Tell us, how is our health care system working for you?
Help protect our democracy
December 7, 2011
The U.S. Supreme Court threw out six decades of established law by granting corporations the right to use their incredible wealth and power to influence elections -- thereby diminishing the power of your vote.
Big businesses with money to spend already had an unbelievable amount of influence on elections that has only gotten worse since Citizens United.
Concerned citizens need to act now to protect democracy. Click here to contact your state legislators today and ask them to support:
- State legislation establishing common sense limits on political contributions and requiring greater financial tranparency from candidates and campaigns.
- A resolution calling for a constitutional amendment aimed at reversing the harmful effects of the Supreme Court's decision equating corporations with real people.
Voice your support for wind power!
December 6, 2011
A letter to the editor explaining why you support wind power is a quick and important way to have a significant impact on this discussion.
Here are a few thoughts for inspiration to help you get started:
- Developing renewable energy projects like wind in solar is the RESPONSIBLE thing to do.
- A diverse energy mix for Vermont will not only maximize conservation and efficiency programs, it will take advantage of local renewable energy sources like solar, small hydro and wind.
- Wind power will help us take control of our energy future.
- Local clean energy development will keep Vermonters' money working in our state.
- Wind power along with other renewables will help reduce our dependence on foreign oil and other fossil fuels, making us safer and creating good-paying local jobs.
- Renewable energy like wind will leave a positive legacy for future generations; not only a healthy environment, but energy independence, and a strong economy.
Email Leah, our Clean Energy Associate, when you've submitted a letter at leah@vpirg.org.
How to Write a Letter-to-the-Editor ("LTE"): (Tips for getting published!)
Respond – Newspapers like to see letters that respond to or reference stories they just ran. If you can reference a recent article, you’re more likely to get printed.
Concise – Papers print items that fit nicely into their limited space. If the paper has a word limit of 250, consider writing something at 150-200.
Localized and Personal – Even for national papers and topics, a good letter will have a local angle and/or a personal connection with the story. People can argue facts but no one will dispute your personal story or local perspective.
Follow up – This is a great way to ensure publication that people often neglect. Call your paper and see if they received your letter. Then ask if they will publish it. Keep calling until you get an answer.
Guidelines
All papers require your full name, hometown and phone number for verification. If using the web from you may have to include your email address as well. They will only print your name and possibly town.
Burlington Free Press
• Via Email: letters@burlingtonfreepress.com
• Via Mail: Forum: Burlington Free Press
P.O. Box 10
Burlington, VT 05402
• Letters should be kept to 250 words or less, unless submitted for web site.
Times Argus
• Via Webform: http://timesargus.com/section/OPINION03
• Letters should be limited to 300 words.
Rutland Herald
• Via Webform: http://rutlandherald.com/section/SERVICES07
• Letters should be limited to 300 words.
