Vermont Public Interest Research Group
LightNews LightNews
banner
vpirg.bsky.social
Vermont Public Interest Research Group
@vpirg.bsky.social
250 followers 30 following 30 posts
VPIRG's mission is to promote and protect the health of Vermont’s people, environment and locally-based economy by informing and mobilizing citizens statewide.

https://linkin.bio/vpirg/

re-skeets =/= endorsements
Posts Replies Media Videos
vpirg.bsky.social
When Governor Scott first announced that he was not going to appeal Trump’s rejection of FEMA aid, Vermonters made their voices heard.⁠

Now, Scott is reconsidering his decision not to appeal. Please take a moment to call 802-828-3333 to urge the Governor to appeal the President’s decision.
November 17, 2025 at 6:01 PM
vpirg.bsky.social
“We want more options for those people who have largely been left out of the clean energy transition so far,” said Ben Edgerly Walsh, climate and energy program director at Vermont Public Interest Research Group.
⁠
Sign our petition to stand up for solar in VT secure.everyaction.com/rOCJ0G6480q0...
Ben Edgerly Walsh, Climate and Energy Director of VPIRG is speaking behind a podium at a press conference for Portable Solar. White text overlaying the image reads: "Plug-in solar power could be coming to a balcony near you". The logo for Sierra, the Magazine of the Sierra Club is underneath the text.
November 10, 2025 at 9:45 PM
vpirg.bsky.social
Need some signage for No Kings Day? VPIRG will be hosting a sign-making party from 10 - 11:45 AM at our NEW OFFICE at 9 Baldwin St.! Come check out the new space, have some snacks, and get creative with your signs to defend democracy. RSVP here: secure.everyaction.com/Zjmv7TfeEE-F...
A patritotic-themed poster with a group photo of protestors holding hand-made signs beneath a "Democracy Vermont" logo reads "No Kings Day 2 Sign-Making Party," "9 Baldwin St. Montpelier Saturday, 10/18 10-11:45AM," "Join us before the Montpelier rally for: sign-making art materials, refreshments and music, community connection."
October 16, 2025 at 4:08 PM
vpirg.bsky.social
Middlebury showed up in force for this evening's Big Beautiful Tour (about a Big Ugly Bill)! Thank you to our panelists, legislators, partners, guests, and a BIG thank you to @balint.house.gov for her leadership and insight into the situation in Washington.
#vtpoli
October 8, 2025 at 2:12 AM
Reposted by Vermont Public Interest Research Group
50501vt.bsky.social
We cannot and will not allow these attacks on our freedoms to stand uncontested.

MAKE YOUR PLANS FOR 10/18:

Find an event near you: 50501vermont.com/event/no-kin...

No event in your town? Start one: nokings.org/host-toolkit

Donate: secure.actblue.com/donate/50501vermont
The administration continues to escalate its attack on our rights and the rule of law. In late September, the president authorized the use of tear gas and other “non-lethal” munitions against peaceful protesters (1) legally exercising their right to free speech in Portland, Oregon. Last week, ICE carried out a full-force raid on U.S. citizens’ homes in Chicago without warrants.(2) And on Friday, they began targeting immigrant children as young as ten.(3) It’s getting frighteningly real. As a trans woman, I feel particularly vulnerable when the Donald calls transgender people the “biggest domestic public safety threat.” The Heritage Foundation now labels anyone who supports us as a “domestic terrorist.”(4) The creator of the trans flag, like nearly half of respondents to a poll conducted by Williams college in May, is fleeing the country.(5) If the spending bill had passed, hundreds of thousands of transgender Americans could have lost access to hormones, without which many would not survive.(6) We cannot and will not allow these attacks on our freedoms to stand uncontested. On October 18, we come together across Vermont to speak truth to power, defend our communities, and reclaim our democracy from the cruelty and corruption threatening it. MAKE YOUR PLANS FOR 10/18: Find an event near you: 50501vermont.com/events No event in your town? Start one: nokings.org/host-toolkit Across Vermont, nearly 40 towns are already organizing, from Brattleboro to Burlington, from Barre to Bennington, joining a national wave of peaceful resistance. Together, we can help the country reach the “3.5% threshold” that research shows always leads to real change. In America, we don’t have kings. We will not back down from chaos, corruption, or cruelty. “No Kings” is more than a slogan - it’s a promise to each other. SUPPORT THE MOVEMENT: Donate: secure.actblue.com/donate/50501vermont Grab a t-shirt: marchmerch.com/collections/50501-vermont OUR COMMITMENT TO NONVIOLENCE All No Kings events are rooted in peaceful, lawful action. We ask everyone to act with compassion and discipline, to de-escalate and not to provoke, and to leave all weapons, even legal ones, at home. We show our strength not through force, but through courage, truth, and unity. Together, we rise. Geri Peterson, Volunteer/Organizer, 50501 Vermont (1) https://www.youtube.com/shorts/I-bqKEd1OiU (2) https://www.youtube.com/shorts/2d591LRPU40 (3) https://immigrantjustice.org/press-release/operation-freaky-friday-what-you-need-to-know/ (4) https://www.wired.com/story/heritage-foundation-uses-bogus-stat-to-push-a-trans-terrorism-classification/ (5) https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/creator-of-the-trans-flag-is-fleeing (6) https://www.gendergp.com/the-danger-of-withdrawing-hormones-from-trans-people/ use of tear gas and other “non-lethal” munitions against peaceful protesters The Heritage Foundation now labels anyone who supports us [trans people] as a “domestic terrorist.”
October 6, 2025 at 5:18 PM
vpirg.bsky.social
Join us tomorrow in Barre City for the second panel on our Big Beautiful Tour About a Big Ugly Bill! 6-7:30pm at the Old Labor Hall! Learn how you can leverage this moment and fight back against federal action. #vtpoli #democracy
A blue tinted photo of a road, covered bridge, and trees is the backdrop to a poster. In large, white text at the top it reads "A Big Beautiful Tour" followed by partially underlined yellow text that reads "About a Big Ugly Bill." Below the headline, a yellow text box with white text reads "Join us this fall for a series of panels to learn how Vermonters are being impacted by, and respond to, federal action." A yellow location pinpoint serves as a bullet point with white text that reads "Old Labor Hall, Barre City Wednesday, September 24 6 - 7:30 PM." Horizontally at the bottom of the graphic, five white logos read "Vermont Conservation Voters (VCV)," "Hunger Free Vermont," "Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC)," "Planned Parenthood Vermont Action Fund," "Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG)."
September 23, 2025 at 2:02 PM
vpirg.bsky.social
Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" is hugely damaging legislation, & threatens communities across VT. That's why, in collaboration with our partners, we are putting on a Big Beautiful Tour - join us at one of the listed panels to learn how you can respond! #vtpoli
vnrc.org/announce-our...
A blue tinted photo of a covered bridge, a road, and trees provides the backdrop for white text that reads "A Big Beautiful Tour," followed by yellow, partially underlined, text which reads "About a Big Ugly Bill." Underneath, in a yellow text box, white texts reads "Join us this fall for a series of panels to learn how Vermonters are being impacted by, and can respond to, federal action." A yellow pinpoint bulleted list follows that text and white text reads the following: struckthrough 8/6: Shleburne, 9/24: Barre City, 10/7: Middlebury, 10/22: Essex Junction, 11/5: Bennington, 11/18: Hartford. At the bottom of the image is a horizontal line of white brand logos for Vermont Conservation Voters (VCV), Hunger Free Vermont, Vermont Natural Resource Council (VNRC), Planned Parenthood Vermont Action Fund, Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG).
September 19, 2025 at 9:50 PM
vpirg.bsky.social
We need you to join us in Barre City TODAY! Come on down to City Hall Park at 6 PM to show that Vermonters say NO to billionaire-backed agendas that benefit the wealthy at our expense. We hope to see you there! #vtpoli #democracy #workersoverbillionaires
A graphic reading: "Workers over billionaire$" "Stand together Thursday, September 18th, City Hall Park, Barre - 6PM" "Vermont's future is not for sale."
September 18, 2025 at 1:23 PM
vpirg.bsky.social
Trump's EPA is moving to rescind the 2009 "endangerment finding," which affirms that climate pollution threatens public health and welfare, and is the foundation of U.S. efforts to combat the climate crisis.
#climate #vtpoli #EPA
September 15, 2025 at 4:10 PM
vpirg.bsky.social
Surprise! Thought we were done for the season? Us too. But when @welch.senate.gov comes to town, you clear your schedule and pull up a chair. This bonus episode of #VermontsVoice is now available to stream wherever you get your podcasts, or at vpirg.org/vermonts-voice. #vtpoli
A graphic with the Vermont's Voice podcast logo, featuring Senator Peter Welch seated with host Jordan Heiden. Overlaid text reads "Bonus episode: US Senator Peter Welch" On the lower portion of the graphic are logos for all major podcast platforms with the text "Available Now"
August 28, 2025 at 5:31 PM
vpirg.bsky.social
President Trump has vowed to ban vote-by-mail before the 2026 midterm elections, and said he is working on an executive order to do so. Notably, the constitution does not give him this power.

Read more: www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-b...

#vtpoli #votebymail #2026midterms
A quote from VPIRG Executive Director Paul Burns overlaid on an image of a vote by mail ballot. The quote reads: "We must not, and will not stand for this or any other president seeking to illegally influence, control, or otherwise corrupt our elections process. We invite all elected officials in Vermont to make their position clear on this point."
August 19, 2025 at 5:19 PM
vpirg.bsky.social
On the season finale of Vermont's Voice, co-producer Elijah Kushen takes over the interviewer's chair to talk to our usual host Jordan Heiden about grassroots organizing and her exciting new campaign, Democracy Summer. Watch wherever you get your podcasts, or at www.vpirg.org/vermonts-voice
#vtpoli
August 13, 2025 at 8:30 PM
vpirg.bsky.social
Vermont took a huge step for pollinators last year by passing Act 182, a law to phase out toxic neonic pesticides. Now, it’s time to make sure this landmark law is as strong in practice as it is on paper. #vtpoli #savethebees

Full Hearings Schedule & Sign-Up: agriculture.vermont.gov/best-managem...
Text: "Speak up to protect our pollinators! Public hearings start today! Make your voice heard! Details below." Graphic: A bee & sunflower patterned background with a megaphone overlaid on top.
August 12, 2025 at 7:05 PM
vpirg.bsky.social
We LOVE to hear about the positive impact our canvassers are having! Have a favorite VPIRG canvass story? Share it below!
reggiewallinsky.bsky.social reggiewallinsky.bsky.social @reggiewallinsky.bsky.social · Aug 5
@vpirg.bsky.social
Shout-out to your hard-working canvasser in Bennington County today. She knew her stuff and was very professional. I expect she will be Governor one of these days. I hope we can fix this dire mess we have left for her generation to clean up.
August 12, 2025 at 6:55 PM
vpirg.bsky.social
14 states just unfroze millions in federal $$, but not VT.

Why?

Because Gov. Scott sabotaged the AG's lawsuit to secure $17m in frozen federal EV infrastructure funding, all while justifying the delay of clean car rules due to a lack of infrastructure. #vtpoli

More: www.vpirg.org/news/gov-sco...
The Drake meme format, with Drake's face replaced by Gov. Phil Scott (R, VT) and the caption: [top] "Gov. Phil Scott: we can't have clean cars cuz not enough infrastructure :(" [bottom] "Also Gov. Phil Scott: *sabotages the AG's lawsuit for $17 million in federal infrastructure funding*"
July 10, 2025 at 6:02 PM
vpirg.bsky.social
From suing the Trump Administration to protecting Vermonters' data privacy to rounding out her State Park passport, AG Charity Clark is staying busy. We sat down with VT's top legal officer to discuss her work, the current moment, #consumerprotection, and her favorite spots around VT. #vtpoli
July 9, 2025 at 4:07 PM
vpirg.bsky.social
"'The Scott administration deliberately undermining the AG's attempt to get funds back from the Trump administration — for Vermonters — is beyond disappointing,' said Ben Edgerly Walsh, climate and energy program director for the Vermont Public Interest Research Group."

#vtpoli
Photos of an electric car charger & VT Governor Phil Scott side by side, with the headline "Disagreements between state officials undermined EV funds lawsuit" and the SevenDays newspaper logo.
July 8, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Reposted by Vermont Public Interest Research Group
suzannecasamento.bsky.social
“Did you ride your bike up the mountain?” I asked.

“I did.”

Now, you gotta understand, my mom lives on a MOUNTAIN. Not a hill. A MOUNTAIN.

And a Gen Z woman pedaled all the way up here to talk to us about saving democracy.

I hope this makes you feel a little hopeful too. ❤️
June 3, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Reposted by Vermont Public Interest Research Group
suzannecasamento.bsky.social
A woman about 20 years old appeared at my mom’s door tonight.

“Hi! I’m Josie. I’m wondering, are you happy with the way the country is being run?”

“NO!” My mom and I said.

“I’m a member of vpirg and we’re canvassing Vermont to talk about Democracy Summer…”

I eyed the bike lying on the walk.
June 3, 2025 at 12:19 AM
vpirg.bsky.social
From VPIRG Executive Director Paul Burns: "The U.S. Senate has passed Trump's disastrous budget bill. This is one of the worst pieces of legislation ever considered by Congress."
#vtpoli
July 2, 2025 at 6:39 PM
vpirg.bsky.social
Vermont's toxic bee-killing neonic pesticide ban goes into effect tomorrow, July 1st. Here's the latest: www.vpirg.org/news/july-1-...

#vtpoli
The campaign logo for VPIRG's Protect Our Pollinators campaign. A colorful bee superimposed over a green circle with the text "PROTECT OUR POLLINATORS." Below the circle, text reads "No Bees, No Food."
June 30, 2025 at 7:53 PM
vpirg.bsky.social
“Americans in rural parts of the country — blue, red and purple — are worse off because these funds are not out the door,” said Ben Edgerly Walsh, Climate and Energy Program director for Vermont Public Interest Research Group.

#vtpoli
vtdigger.org/2025/06/25/c...
Court offers no relief for Vermont EV funding freeze - VTDigger
The Trump administration withheld billions of dollars in funding allocated by Congress to build out electric vehicle chargers in many states.
vtdigger.org
June 26, 2025 at 3:29 PM
vpirg.bsky.social
From our own Paul Burns:

"Vermont’s clean energy sector was once one of the fastest-growing in the state — up 29% between 2013 and 2017 and employing over 19,000 people. Today, fewer Vermonters work in clean energy than when Phil Scott took office."

vtdigger.org/2025/05/15/p...
Opinion — Paul Burns: Vermonters deserve real climate action, not delays and denials
President Trump denies the climate crisis even exists. Gov. Scott and his team admit the problem exists, but they just don’t want to do anything about it.
vtdigger.org
May 16, 2025 at 3:48 PM
vpirg.bsky.social
May Day is about more than history—it's about our future. In Vermont, we are building a movement to build a country that values people over profits. Find an event near you: www.mobilize.us/mayday/?coun...

#MayDay2025 #Solidarity #vtpoli
A graphic with "May 1" in large red letters, surrounded by repeated text reading "national action." The footer reads "Stop the billionaire takeover. We are the many. They are the few.
May 1, 2025 at 6:13 PM