Welcome to the Official Website for Vermont Governor Jim Douglas!
Featured Priority
Governor's Summit on Pathways to Economic Stability
Governor's Calendar
6:30 p.m. Burlington Department of Parks & Recreation and Burlington City Arts Independence Day Reception, ECHO, Burlington Waterfront, Burlington
7:00 p.m. Vermont Youth Orchestra “Bon Voyage” Concert, Flynn Center for the Performing Arts, Burlington
11:00 a.m. Colchester 4th of July Parade, Creek Farm Plaza, Colchester
2:00 p.m. Colchester Quadricentennial Kick Off, Malletts Bay
No Public Events Scheduled
RECENT NEWS
Statement of Governor Jim Douglas on Plasan North America of Bennington Contract Award
Statement of Governor Jim Douglas on Plasan North America of Bennington Contract Award:
“I would like to extend congratulations to Plasan North America for being part of the winning contract team with Oshkosh Corporation for a $1 billion order of armored vehicles for the U.S. military.
“In 2006, I was pleased to personally welcome Plasan to Vermont after our economic development team helped recruit them to the Bennington area. Without the Vermont Economic Progress Council’s decision to approve Plasan for tax credits totaling more than $1 million, the company may have located elsewhere. The granting of $1.16 million loan and a further guarantee of $500,000 line of credit by the Vermont Economic Development Authority, or VEDA, also helped secure Plasan’s commitment to Vermont.
Governor Douglas Ranked in Top Ten “Green Governors”
Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Jim Douglas was recently named one of the nation’s top ten “Greenest Governors” by Greenopia, an online directory of eco-friendly retailers, services, and organizations. The Governor was recognized on the site for undertaking “several programs to make Vermont greener. These include the Clean and Clear Water Action Plan, Biofuel initiatives, and programs aimed at making the state government greener. Vermont also has tax incentives in place to help consumers and businesses go green.” Greenopia goes on to report that, “Vermont has always been on the forefront of environmental legislation and its Governor, Jim Douglas is no exception.”
“It’s an honor receive this recognition,” said Governor Douglas. “As the greenest state in the country, Vermont is leading the nation when it comes to setting environmental standards. I believe it is important that we do all we can to keep the Green Mountains green.”
Greenopia conducts extensive research on companies and products listed in their directory. The Greenest Governors project is an effort to further their mission of informing consumers (and voters) on issues of eco-friendly importance by revealing which state governments are most dedicated to preserving the environment. States and governors play an important role in advancing good environmental policies and initiatives and Vermont is doing its part. From providing incentives for environmentally friendly businesses to efforts to protect air and water quality, Vermont has taken a comprehensive approach to environmental protection.
“As Governor, I will continue to do all I can to advance our efforts to clean up impaired waterways, reduce our carbon footprint with tough automobile emissions standards and encourage green jobs in our state,” the Governor continued. Read More
Statement of Governor Jim Douglas on EPA Decision to Grant California Waiver
Statement of Governor Jim Douglas on the EPA’s decision to grant the California waiver:
“The Obama Administration’s decision to grant California a waiver for its standards restricting greenhouse gas emission from motor vehicles is a significant step in the right direction for Vermont and other states that adopted these standards. My commitment to reducing carbon emissions in Vermont is longstanding as Vermont has been fighting to join California in adopting these standards for some time now.
“As the first state to adopt California’s motor vehicle greenhouse gas emission standards and to successfully defend these standards against legal challenges by the automobile industry in federal court, Vermont is a leader among the more than a dozen states that have adopted these tougher standards.
“Auto emissions are one of the main contributors to greenhouse gas concentrations. This is particularly true in Vermont where the transportation sector accounts for approximately 45 percent of our carbon footprint. That is why reducing an emission from automobiles is so important here in Vermont.
“The Clean Air Act clearly provides states with the right to adopt these emission standards. EPA’s decision to grant a waiver now allows states to enforce these standards. This decision by Administrator Jackson embraces states’ rights and I applaud the EPA action.”
### Read More
Governor Awards Second Round of Climate Change Grants
Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Jim Douglas announced that another 15 energy efficiency projects have received $170,000 in funding from the Vermont Community Change Program. The competition was fierce with 86 applications submitted.
“I want to congratulate the winners of this round of funding and thank you, and all those who applied, for your commitment to reducing our state’s carbon footprint. The intense interest shown in controlling energy costs and making real environmental gains is classic Vermont ‘can-do’ spirit,” the Governor said. “The combined reduction in CO2 emissions from these projects is the equivalent of electricity use of 45 to 50 homes.”
Helping businesses monitor electricity use is the goal of the Vermont Community Foundation Green Team’s $12,000 grant. VCF will launch an eight-month, real time metering competition in Middlebury by distributing “real-time” energy metering devices and data-logging software to 30 businesses and nonprofits. VCF predicts the project will save between 5 and 15 percent in energy costs and use. Read More
Governor Douglas Attends Kick-Off for the Vermont Biosciences Alliance
Group formed to support the growth of the bioscience industry in Vermont
Colchester, VT – Governor Jim Douglas attended the kick-off event for the Vermont Biosciences Alliance. The Vermont Biosciences Alliances is a partnership of businesses that make-up Vermont’s growing bioscience industry as well as academic partners from the higher education community.
“It is great to see business leaders from the bioscience community coming together to support one another,” Governor Douglas said. “These cutting-edge employers will play a leading role in our economic recovery and provide great job opportunities for Vermonters.”
The Vermont Biosciences Alliance kicked off their efforts at the Albany College of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, a member of the alliance, at their Colchester campus. The members discussed ways to encourage angel funding for biotechnology and life science business ventures; industry relationships to support and fund research; valuing and commercializing intellectual capital; and other ways to grow successful technology based businesses in Vermont.
"In recent years, Vermont has made progress in laying the foundation to support technology-based businesses,” the Governor said. “But we have a lot more work to do to encourage growth and job creation in the technology sector of our economy,” he added. Read More