Press Releases
The following are recent press releases issued by the Office of the Governor.
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.”
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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
Opening Ceremony Held today for the Richmond Bridge Street Bridge
Vermont’s First Stimulus Funded Project is complete
Richmond, Vt. – Governor Douglas today officially opened the new Bridge Street Bridge in Richmond marking the completion of Vermont’s first ARRA funded project.
Governor Jim Douglas was joined by Vermont Agency of Transportation Secretary David Dill, Federal Highway Administration Deputy Vermont Administrator Larry Dwyer, Richmond Selectboard Chairman Pete Parent and numerous Richmond residents to celebrate the opening of the Richmond Bridge Street Bridge, which opened for traffic last Friday.
“I want to thank the Agency of Transportation, Federal Highway and the Town of Richmond for their cooperation and hard work to get this project done so quickly,” said Governor Douglas. “The quick and wise deployment of ARRA funds will help us make much needed and long overdue improvements to our transportation infrastructure. They will also give our economy a much needed boost during our construction season.”
Vermont was awarded $125.8 million in highway and bridge funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, better known as the Federal Economic Stimulus Bill. Rehabilitating the troubled Richmond Bridge was Vermont’s first transportation project to utilize stimulus funds and create jobs. The long anticipated bridge opening occurred ahead of schedule and allowed the Agency of Transportation to meet its promise of having traffic back over the bridge before the town’s 4th of July celebrations.
“Thanks to ARRA and our work with transportation leaders in the Legislature, during this construction season we’ll have over $103 million in transportation infrastructure projects happening all across Vermont,” the Governor continued. “That’s why I want to remind the traveling public to slow down and pay close attention when driving through work zones and construction areas.”
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Governor Douglas Accepts Safe-Rx™ Award for States’ Use of E-Prescribing
Vermont is ranked #1 most improved state
Washington, DC – At an event at the National Press Club, Surescripts today announced that their annual state rankings and progress reports detailing e-prescribing use and adoption statistics for all 50 states.
Today’s event featured Governor Jim Douglas and Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen as co-chairs of the State Alliance for E-Health and as co-hosts of the Fourth Annual Safe-Rx Awards. The State Alliance was created by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices in January 2007 to improve the nation's healthcare system by forming a collaborative body that enables states to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the health information technology initiatives they develop.
The State Alliance has recognized the potential for e-prescribing to improve both patient safety and the health of all Americans and has encouraged states to be proactive in creating and implementing policies that advance this and other e-health initiatives. Governors Bredesen and Douglas were also on hand to receive Safe-Rx Awards for their states’ sizable jumps in e-prescribing use.
“I am so proud of the good work that Vermont has done to increase its e-prescribing practices. This is the kind of advancement in health care that can reduce errors and increase efficiency,” said Governor Douglas. “I want to extend my thanks to all those who have helped in this effort. As Chairman of NGA, I plan to continue our work in this important area.” Read More
Governor Douglas Proclaims Saturday, June 20, 2009 Juneteenth National Freedom Day in Vermont
Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Jim Douglas today announced that he has proclaimed this Saturday, June 20, 2009 as Juneteenth National Freedom Day in Vermont.
“I want to thank Shirley Boyd-Hill and the Reverend Roy V. Hill, II for their tremendous efforts to pass Legislation declaring the third Saturday in June annually, as Juneteenth National Freedom Day in Vermont,” said Governor Douglas. Juneteenth is an important annual tribute to the emancipation of African-Americans from slavery in our country. And it serves as a reminder to us all that we must speak out against hate, violence and discrimination against all humans. I hope Vermonters will join me in commemorating Juneteenth National Freedom Day in Vermont.”
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Governor Announces Vermont Yields $684,554 from Latest RGGI Auction
Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Jim Douglas today announced that Vermont will receive $684,554 as its share from this week’s fourth quarterly auction of carbon allowances by the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
The selling price for 2009 allowances was $3.23 while 2012 futures sold for $2.06.
“RGGI is helping set the example for a federal cap-and-trade program,” the Governor said. “In Vermont, we are building a green economy and helping Vermonters save money on energy costs.”
The 10 partnering states in RGGI hold quarterly allowance auctions and invest the proceeds in energy efficiency, renewable energy and other programs that benefit electricity consumers and create green jobs.
Governor Douglas Signs Clean Water Day Proclamation
Rock River field walk highlights farmers’ efforts to curb phosphorus runoff
Franklin, Vt, – Governor Jim Douglas today joined Franklin County farmers and watershed groups at their Rock River Field Walk as part of Vermont’s fourth annual Clean Water Day.
Clean Water Day is held annually in June to celebrate the work of Vermonters to improve water quality around the state and to renew the state’s commitment to the goal of clean water for all Vermonters.
The field walk highlighted the innovations and progress in agricultural practices that are currently being piloted and used on a number of farms around the county. Wayne and Nancy Fiske of Windfall Acres hosted the event. The Fiskes are leaders in farmers’ efforts to reduce soil erosion and phosphorus runoff from annual crop and hay land and improve agricultural practices.
“The commitment of countless farmers throughout Franklin County, and the state as a whole, to improve water quality is truly outstanding,” the Governor said. “The stewardship of Vermont’s waters is everyone’s responsibility – farmer and city dweller; year-round resident and seasonal visitor – and Vermonters take this responsibility seriously.” Read More