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Burlington Businesses Urge Governor Scott for State Intervention on Public Safety Issues

Burlington Businesses Urge Governor Scott for State Intervention on Public Safety Issues

Burlington business owners, represented by the Church Street Market Commission, have formally appealed to Governor Phil Scott for state assistance in addressing public safety concerns in the city's downtown area. This plea follows previous requests from Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak and the Burlington City Council, which Governor Scott had reportedly dismissed. The commission's letter emphasizes the economic significance of Burlington, noting that Chittenden County contributes a quarter of Vermont's total tax income and that Burlington is the state's primary tourist destination. They argue that a crisis in Burlington directly impacts the entire state. The letter describes downtown Burlington as being in a 'state of emergency' due to issues such as open drug use, untreated mental health problems, and low-level crimes like shoplifting, many of which are linked to the homeless population. The business owners are seeking specific interventions, including state help in finding a location for a 100-bed homeless she...
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GlobalFoundries Offers Military Internship Program in Vermont to Transition Veterans into Semiconductor Manufacturing

GlobalFoundries Offers Military Internship Program in Vermont to Transition Veterans into Semiconductor Manufacturing

GlobalFoundries Offers Military Internship Program in Vermont to Transition Veterans into Semiconductor Manufacturing
USA TodayUSA Today
Where is the best Halloween street in the US? Nationwide search is on

Where is the best Halloween street in the US? Nationwide search is on

Where is the trick-or-treatiest street in the country? Reese's is hosting a contest to find out. See which streets made the short list of 150.
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Basin Harbor Introduces 'PAW-SH' Pet Package for Lakeside Retreats in Vermont

Basin Harbor Introduces 'PAW-SH' Pet Package for Lakeside Retreats in Vermont

Basin Harbor Introduces 'PAW-SH' Pet Package for Lakeside Retreats in Vermont
Rochester Democrat and ChronicleRochester Democrat and Chronicle
6 New York destinations named healthiest fall getaways

6 New York destinations named healthiest fall getaways

Six New York towns and cities were named among the healthiest locations to spend time outdoors this fall, according to a new study.
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Vermont Utility Leverages Home Battery Systems to Create Virtual Power Plant, Reducing Reliance on Traditional Facilities

Vermont Utility Leverages Home Battery Systems to Create Virtual Power Plant, Reducing Reliance on Traditional Facilities

A U.S. state is utilizing thousands of household batteries to form a coordinated electricity resource, effectively creating a virtual power plant. This initiative aims to supply power during periods of high demand and decrease dependence on conventional peaker plants. In Vermont, Green Mountain Power's home battery program involves over 5,500 customers, whose systems are interconnected via software and can be collectively activated when the grid requires additional electricity. The utility's virtual power plant now boasts approximately 110 megawatts of capacity, making it Vermont's largest energy source by capacity. This program provides households with backup power while enabling the utility to deploy stored electricity during peak demand times. During an extreme heat event in early July, Green Mountain Power deployed about 90 megawatts of stored energy from both residential and utility-scale batteries, which the utility estimates saved customers around $6 million during one peak hour by avoiding more exp...
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Vermont Poll Reveals Majority Support for New Second Home Tax

Vermont Poll Reveals Majority Support for New Second Home Tax

A recent Vermont Public poll indicates that 57% of respondents believe the state should implement a new annual tax on second homes. Conversely, 28% disagreed with the proposal, and 15% remained unsure. This issue has become a central point in Vermont's current election cycle. Amanda Janoo, the Democratic nominee for governor, advocates for taxing 'luxury second homes' and 'commercial vacation rentals' at higher rates as part of her housing platform. Molly Gray, the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor, suggests such a tax could fund universal primary care for Vermonters. Republican incumbents Governor Phil Scott and Lieutenant Governor John Rodgers, however, express caution about new taxes, emphasizing the need to control education costs and expand Vermont's tax base to reduce property taxes for primary homeowners. Support for the tax is higher among Democratic-leaning voters (70%) compared to Republican-leaning voters (43%) and independent or minor party respondents (54%).
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Vermont Poll Reveals Strong Support for Second-Home Tax Amidst Undefined Terms

Vermont Poll Reveals Strong Support for Second-Home Tax Amidst Undefined Terms

A recent poll commissioned by Vermont Public indicates that 57% of Vermonters support a new yearly tax on second homes, with 28% opposing and 15% unsure. This finding is corroborated by a University of New Hampshire’s Green Mountain State Poll, which reported 78% support for taxing properties that are not primary residences. However, both surveys did not define what constitutes a 'second home' or inquire whether respondents owned such properties. The term 'second home' can encompass various types of properties, including vacation houses, inherited family camps, or houses rented to local families. Vermont's Act 170 of 2026, signed by Governor Phil Scott, has created a separate tax category for second homes and short-term rentals, but the specific tax rate has not yet been set. This new framework is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2029, contingent on lawmakers finalizing major components of the school overhaul, including a new school funding formula. If a rate is not established by this date, the legisla...
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Vermont Public Poll Reveals Majority Support for New Second Home Tax Amidst Housing Crisis

Vermont Public Poll Reveals Majority Support for New Second Home Tax Amidst Housing Crisis

A recent Vermont Public poll indicates that 57% of Vermonters support implementing a new yearly tax on second homes, with 28% disagreeing and 15% undecided. This issue has become a central point in Vermont's current election cycle, particularly for Democratic gubernatorial nominee Amanda Janoo, who advocates for higher taxes on 'luxury second homes' and 'commercial vacation rentals.' Democratic Lieutenant Governor nominee Molly Gray also suggests such a tax could fund universal primary care. In contrast, Republican incumbents Governor Phil Scott and Lieutenant Governor John Rodgers express caution about new taxes, emphasizing the need to control education costs and expand the tax base to reduce property taxes for primary homeowners. Support for the tax is stronger among Democratic-leaning respondents (70%) compared to Republican-leaning (43%) and independent/minor party respondents (54%). The poll also found that sentiments on the tax are consistent across different regions of the state.
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Flood Risk Maps Highlight Gaps in U.S. Flood Preparedness

Flood Risk Maps Highlight Gaps in U.S. Flood Preparedness

Recent discussions have shed light on the limitations of FEMA's flood insurance rate maps, which are widely used to identify areas at risk of flooding. These maps primarily focus on the 100-year floodplain, or areas with a 1% annual chance of flooding, known as the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). However, they often fail to account for pluvial flooding caused by heavy rainfall and are based on outdated historical climate data. This has led to significant gaps in flood risk communication, leaving many properties outside the SFHA exposed to high flood risks. Additionally, the lack of digitized maps in some regions, such as Vermont, further complicates access to critical flood risk information. Efforts to improve flood risk communication, including state-level disclosure requirements, aim to address these deficiencies and provide homeowners with more accurate data about their exposure to flooding.
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Vermont Homes Utilize Home Batteries to Form Virtual Power Plants, Enhancing Grid Resilience

Vermont Homes Utilize Home Batteries to Form Virtual Power Plants, Enhancing Grid Resilience

A network of home batteries across thousands of ordinary homes in Vermont is emerging as a new type of power plant, providing electricity during outages and supplying cleaner energy to the wider grid. This initiative, spearheaded by Green Mountain Power (GMP), involves installing two home batteries for a monthly fee, offering an alternative to traditional gas generators. Over 5,500 Vermonters now participate in this scheme, with their combined home battery systems forming a 'virtual power plant' (VPP). This VPP not only ensures homes remain powered during extreme weather events, which have become more frequent in Vermont, but also contributes electricity to the broader grid. The U.S. currently boasts over 40 GW of virtual power capacity, with the Department of Energy projecting this could reach up to 160 GW by 2030, potentially meeting a fifth of expected peak demand. GMP's network has become the state's largest power source, providing approximately 110 MW of power, comparable to a small-to-medium-sized na...
USA TodayUSA Today
These 14 train journeys may be the best way to see fall foliage

These 14 train journeys may be the best way to see fall foliage

Scenic rail journeys offer front-row views of autumn colors, charming towns and mountain landscapes perfect for family trips.