Vermont engineering firm advances cryogenic tech for NASA’s moon missions

As NASA prepares for the Artemis II mission—the first crewed lunar flyby since Apollo 17 in 1972—Vermont is showcasing its direct historical connection to the Apollo program through a special public display of rare lunar samples. At the same time, a Vermont-based engineering firm is contributing cutting-edge technology to support the broader Artemis program’s goal of sustainable lunar exploration.

House passes bill to regulate data centers 

The bill, H.727, introduced by Rep. Laura Sibilia (D-Windham 2), seeks to regulate data centers requiring 20 or more megawatts by mandating annual reporting and requiring operators to enter into large load service equity contracts. These contracts would hold data centers accountable for paying their fair share of grid and infrastructure costs while ensuring that Vermonters aren’t subsidizing their electricity use.

Peyton: Right to farm and clean food 

At the Statehouse, a coalition is forming to bring forward a constitutional amendment which will take another biennium before it can be introduced, but the time is now to promote it. The primary purpose for it is to fulfill this goal: to put Vermont at the helm of progress, to initiate a growth of small- and medium-scale organic farming, to encourage and expand local gardens, and to totally dedicate ourselves to the cause of sustainability in harmony with Nature.

$150K ‘energy coaching’ passes Senate

Spearheaded by the Vermont Public Service Department, the program would give energy navigator services to Vermont residents. Energy navigators are trained professionals or volunteers who inform residents how to make their homes more energy efficient, such as with weatherization projects or installing heat pumps. Under the bill, they would also inform clients about rebates and incentives.

Woolf: Counting Vermont’s county populations

Given that the state has only added 1,698 people since 2020, a decline of 6,000—or more if we include vacation homes in non-ski towns—it is very likely that Vermont will have fewer residents in 2030 than in 2020. And since most of the ski towns are in southern Vermont counties, their population picture will look even grimmer than it does today.

VT Headlines: 3 ATMs stolen from Middlebury stores in recent weeks

Gov. Scott signs bill to allow Vermont to make its own vaccine recommendations: In visit to Vermont Statehouse, Japanese diplomats talk business and baseball; ICE agents chased the wrong man into a South Burlington home, court filings say; Brattleboro nurses union approves potential strike; Rutland community and city leaders weigh in on plans for new Walmart Supercenter in Rutland town