Hydro-Quebec – once thought to have virtually unlimited amounts of carbon-free electric power available – now must build even more dams in order to meet provincial carbon goals and current and future commitments.
“We sell cheap, reliable and renewable energy,” Dave Rheaume, Hydro-Quebec risk manager, is quoted in the Financial Post. “However it’s precious and now everybody wants to come and have access to it — but we don’t have the ability to infinitely replicate these kinds of generation assets.”
In recent years, HQ has wooed large manufacturers to Quebec with promises of reliable, low-cost electricity. Meeting carbon goals, agreeing to large export contracts, and keeping and attracting big domestic manufacturers have combined to push the provincial power utility’s commitments beyond even its once seemingly infinite capacity.
If Quebec hydro-power becomes less available to Vermont in the coming decades, Vermont will be harder-pressed to meet its own carbon-emission reduction goals without building a robust instate renewable power generation, relying more on other sources of low carbon power such as nuclear, or relaxing its standards and continuing to consume natural gas fired electricity from New England.
Oliver Stone’s “Nuclear Now” shows at Savoy in Montpelier tonight – Filmmaker Oliver Stone’s latest project, Nuclear Now, will be aired tonight at 7 PM at the Savoy Theater in Montpelier. Scientist Robert Hargraves will lead the discussion, and “I will certainly add my two cents,” scientist and pro-nuclear writer Meredith Angwin of Wilder reports.
State spends $4 million on brownfields remediation – Governor Phil Scott and the Agency of Commerce and Community Development has announced five additional awards and another $3.97 million have been committed to remediate brownfields sites across the state:
- Evernorth & Champlain Housing Trust (Colchester)
- Award: $1,500,000
- Purpose: Redevelopment of former St. Michael’s College dormitories.
- Anticipated outputs: 64 residential units, reused infrastructure, remediation of a 3.17 acres site.
- 561-567 North Main Street LLC (Barre)
- Award: $38,107.80
- Purpose: Redevelopment of a vacant commercial/residential site.
- Anticipated outputs: 5 jobs, 1 unit of housing.
- Lamoille Build LLC (Cambridge)
- Award: $441,234
- Purpose: Redevelopment of the former Jeffersonville Granary and revitalization of the vacant commercial site as a vibrant hub for local food businesses and renewing the property’s agricultural legacy.
- Anticipated outputs: 8 jobs, 1.79 acres remediated.
- Lake & Maple LLC (St. Albans)
- Award: $793,360.80
- Purpose: Redevelopment of a contaminated parking lot for housing.
- Anticipated outputs: 72 units of housing, 0.97 acres mitigated.
- Town of St. Johnsbury
- Award: $1,200,000
- Purpose: Redevelopment of the 16,700 sq ft former armory building and reuse of infrastructure on a site that has been vacant since 2009.
- Anticipated outputs: 2 full-time employees, 1.6 acres mitigated.
Since the Brownfields Revitalization Fund (BRF) – State Program opened in October 2021, nearly $11 million in cleanup funding has been awarded to 25 projects in eight counties (Caledonia, Chittenden, Franklin, Lamoille, Orange, Washington, Windham, and Windsor). The projects combined are anticipated to clean up more than 42 contaminated acres and create 554 jobs and 425 units of housing.
42 appointed to state boards and commissions – Governor Scott appointed 42 people in April to State boards and commissions.
Animal Cruelty Investigation Advisory Board
- Pamela Levin, Shelburne
- Gwyn Zakov, Barre
- Mary McFaun, Barre
Building Bright Futures Council
- Alexis Duquette, South Putney
- Ashley Miller, South Royalton
- Becca Webb, Burlington
- Carol Lang Godin, Montpelier
- Christy Swenson, Wolcott
- Dimitri Garder, North Bennington
- Eddie Gale, Johnson
- Flor Diaz Smith, Montpelier
- Heather Wilcoxon, Hartford
- Libby Daghlian, Winooski
- Mike McRaith, Montpelier
- Paul Dragon, Underhill
- Shannon Harrington, Windsor
- Xusana Davis, Morrisville
Governor’s Commission on the Future of Agriculture
- Leon Corse, Whitingham
Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
- Anna Grearson, Morrisville
- Christian Craig, Weathersfield
- Corey Cenate, South Burlington
- Dorothy Helling, Adamant
- Gary Eley , Burlington
- Greg Wight, Brookfield
- Laura Medalie, Montpelier
- Pam Chisholm, Duxbury
- Robert Peterson, Richmond
Governor’s Snowmobile Council
- Mike Mutascio, Lunenberg
Human Services Board
- Brenda Cruickshank, Northfield
- Jan Westervelt, Cabot
- Susan Harritt, Jericho
Justice of the Peace
- Diane Niederhauser, Stratton
Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs
- Deanna Edwards, Milton
Vermont Community Development Board
- Bruce MacLean, Peacham
- Gregg Over, Cuttingsville
Vermont Economic Progress Council
- Abbie Sherman, Randolph
- James Stewart, Pittsford
- John Russell III, Rutland
- Kim Gobeille, Shelburne
- Thad Richardson, Lyndonville
Vermont Educational and Health Buildings Financing Agency
- Mario Hankerson, Barre
Vermont State Retirement Board
- Jay Wisner, Montpelier
Boards and commissions serve an important role in state government, giving Vermonters numerous opportunities to serve their state and communities. The Governor’s office is currently soliciting applications to fill vacancies and upcoming term expirations. All those interested in serving on a board or commission should visit the Governor’s website at https://governor.vermont.gov/boards_and_commission to apply.