Vermont Democratic Party

State Street News
This week, Governor Shumlin and Public Service Commissioner Elizabeth Miller unveiled the Vermont comprehensive energy plan.  The plan creates a blueprint to allow Vermont to address 90% of its total energy needs with renewable sources by 2050.

Vermont’s Congressional Delegation
Congressional Republicans are using the payroll tax cut extension legislation to try to force the President to approve the controversial Keystone Tar Sands pipeline project without allowing for a full environmental review.  Our Congressional delegation stands strongly opposed to the pipeline project.  You can find statements from all three members of Vermont’s delegation here on our website.  

Senator Leahy’s legislation to elevate the National Guard to membership in the Joint Chiefs of Staff was passed by both houses of Congress and awaits President Obama’s signature. 

Senator Sanders worked tirelessly to bring a new Sandia smart-grid laboratory to the University of Vermont.  The facility will use up to $15 million to accelerate energy efficiency and help Vermont move to local and renewable energy sources more quickly.  

Senator Leahy, Senator Sanders, and Congressman Welch announced that Vermont will receive $19.5 million in Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding for Fiscal Year 2012.  The funding is less than the $26 million received in FY2011, but more than was originally allotted for Vermont in this year’s budget ($11 million).  The delegation has pledged to continue to fight for additional heating assistance to ensure that needy Vermonters do not go without heat this winter.

With Republicans in Congress working to replace planned defense cuts agreed to as part of this summer's debt ceiling deal, Congressman Welch is leading the opposition. Welch is building a coalition of Democrats, saying that a deal is a deal and the defense cuts should remain.

Vermont’s Congressional delegation announced that St. Albans will receive federal grant money to continue the ongoing streetscape project downtown.  The grant, awarded through the Department of Transportation, will provide $2.08 million to make improvements on Main Street, including repairing sidewalks, replacing traffic lights, and making the street more equipped to manage stormwater. 

This will be the last update until 2012.  I hope that you and your family have a safe and happy holiday and I look forward to communicating and working with you during the next exciting election year!

 
-Jake