AGP Executive Report

Solar: Vermont-made AllEarth Renewables trackers are joining Portside Renewables’ ground-mounted solar offerings through a new dealer partnership, extending access to farms, businesses and homeowners. Geothermal: Vermont Gas and Dandelion Energy are developing ground-loop systems for a 44-unit affordable housing project in Hinesburg, a model they say could widen access to efficient heating and cooling. Manufacturing: Morrisville-based Manufacturing Solutions hosted Vermont industry, government and economic-development leaders to discuss business growth and workforce challenges as the company marked 30 years in the state. Clean Power: GlobalFoundries has brought new solar and battery systems online in Essex Junction. Transportation: Vermont’s EV market share reached 5.55% in the second quarter, ranking 24th nationally; the state had 1,411 public charging outlets. Workforce: A new cohort of broadband technicians has completed free training as Vermont’s network buildout ramps up. Tourism: The Lodge at Spruce Peak ranked No. 3 among New England resorts in Condé Nast Traveler’s readers’ awards, while the Vermont Lodging Association is recruiting sponsors for its November conference.

Heating Costs: Vermont plans to seek $6 million more in federal fuel assistance on top of its $22 million allocation, as heating oil tops $6 a gallon and officials warn aid may run short by midwinter. Manufacturing: Morrisville’s Manufacturing Solutions marked 30 years with a gathering of manufacturers, state officials and economic-development leaders focused on workforce needs, business growth and cross-border opportunities. Workforce: Vermont’s broadband technician program graduated its largest class yet, preparing workers for construction tied to the state’s federally funded broadband buildout. Clean Energy and Autos: GlobalFoundries has brought new solar and battery systems online in Vermont. Separately, the state recorded 584 new EV sales in the second quarter; EVs made up 5.55% of new vehicle sales, while public charging stood at 1,411 outlets for roughly 19,900 EVs on the road.

Tourism: Stowe’s Lodge at Spruce Peak was named New England’s No. 3 resort in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards, a lift for Vermont’s visitor economy. Transportation: Vermont EVs made up 5.55% of new light-duty vehicle sales in Q2, with 584 sold; market share rose from Q1 but remained below last year’s level. Agriculture: A free Oct. 29 workshop in Greensboro will cover bedded-pack manure systems, livestock care, farm costs and soil health. Clean Energy: GlobalFoundries has brought a large solar array and battery storage online in Essex Junction. Vermont Gas is also funding geothermal loops for affordable housing. Manufacturing: A Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center event in Burlington on Oct. 15 will connect employers with workforce, financing and automation resources. Heating Costs: With winter fuel bills expected to climb, state officials are urging Vermonters to apply for LIHEAP assistance.

EV & Charging Snapshot: Vermont’s EV market share rose to 5.55% in Q2 2026 (584 EVs sold) but still trails the national pace, and the state has 1,411 public charging outlets—about 14 EVs per port. Workforce & Manufacturing Training: Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center and partners are lining up events on registered apprenticeships, workforce models, and quality—aimed at helping manufacturers solve hiring and retention problems. Agriculture Tech & Farm Ops: NRCS Vermont and the Orleans County Natural Resources Conservation District host a free bedded pack manure management workshop Oct. 29 at Bartlett Family Farm, focused on livestock comfort, soil health, and cost math. Affordable Housing & Energy Upgrades: Vermont Gas Systems will fund geothermal ground loops for the Riggs Meadow affordable project in Hinesburg, using utility-owned underground infrastructure with in-home heat pumps. Industrial Power Resilience: GlobalFoundries in Essex Junction has brought about 6MW of solar and a 16MW/52MWh battery online for peak shaving and grid reliability. Community Development: Brattleboro Housing Partnerships celebrated congressionally directed funding for West Brattleboro Terrace redevelopment, targeting energy-efficient senior units after Tropical Storm Irene impacts. Public Safety & Local Infrastructure: South Burlington crews responded to a gas leak after construction work hit a line near the Blue Mall, prompting road closures. Higher Ed Pressure: Vermont colleges are adjusting to demographic and financial headwinds with enrollment tactics and cost cuts to stay afloat. AI & Jobs Anxiety: A new look at young workers shows interest shifting toward skilled trades, teaching, and health care as AI-exposed white-collar roles face pressure.

Energy & Industry: GlobalFoundries brought about 6MW of new solar and a 16MW battery storage system online at its Essex Junction campus, aiming to smooth costs and bolster grid resilience around a fab’s tight power needs. EVs & Infrastructure: Vermont’s EV market share rose to 5.55% in Q2 2026, but the state still ranks No. 24; public charging also lags at about 14 EVs per port. Agriculture: NRCS Vermont and the Orleans County Natural Resources Conservation District will host a free bedded pack manure management workshop Oct. 29 at Bartlett Family Farm, with guidance from farmers and a licensed engineer. Local Business & Community: The Drake Bar & Kitchen in St. Albans is rolling out a fall menu spotlighting local sourcing and the staffing/food-cost pressures facing restaurants. Public Policy & Courts: The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in Suncor v. Boulder, a climate damages case that could reshape how cities and counties sue energy companies. Health & Consumer Costs: A coalition of states is seeking court approval for a $400M settlement tied to alleged generic drug price-fixing and competition limits. Tech & Power: NOMAD Power Solutions launched a nationwide mobile battery demonstration tour, bringing transportable utility-grade storage to 26 stops.

Energy & Courts: The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in Suncor v. Boulder, a climate case that could reshape whether cities and counties can sue oil companies under state nuisance laws for alleged climate harms. Fuel Costs for Vermont Farmers: President Trump signed an executive order easing limits on tax-free red-dyed diesel, arguing it will cut costs for farmers and lower prices ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms. Vermont Power Upgrade: GlobalFoundries in Essex Junction flipped breakers on a large on-site solar array plus a 16-megawatt battery storage system, aimed at reducing peak demand and lowering long-term energy costs. Grid Planning in the Region: A permitting reform push in the Senate would strengthen federal authority for transmission siting and limit how long challenges can drag on, while New England utilities explore dynamic line rating to move more power over existing lines. Local Energy/Construction: Quincy, Mass. announced a road closure tied to Ameren power-line relocation—an example of how grid work keeps reshaping local traffic. Telecom Dispute: Vermont’s Supreme Court denied a bid to reargue a Westmore challenge to a wireless tower permit tied to views of Lake Willoughby. Agriculture Workshop: NRCS Vermont and Orleans County partners will host a free bedded pack manure management workshop Oct. 29 in Greensboro. Adaptive Outdoors: A Vermont-based adaptive kayaking program is expanding access for paddlers with disabilities across the Northeast.

Climate & Energy (SCOTUS): The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in Suncor v. Boulder, with justices showing skepticism about whether states and cities can sue energy companies for billions tied to alleged climate damage—an outcome that could reshape how such cases are handled nationwide. Heating Costs: With heating oil expected to jump about 50% this winter, millions of households—especially in the Northeast—could face roughly $900 higher bills as global supply strains continue. Vermont Agriculture & Food Systems: Vermont colleges are teaming up on a nearly $8M NSF-funded project to study PFAS as it moves through water, wildlife, and food. Livestock & Farm Tech: NRCS Vermont and the Orleans County Natural Resources Conservation District are hosting a free bedded pack manure management workshop at Bartlett Family Farm (Oct. 29). Waste & Local Industry: Casella will close its Bethlehem, N.H. landfill earlier than planned, shifting Concord’s trash hauling to a waste-to-energy facility. Workforce & Economy: A weak September jobs report showed only 29,000 new jobs nationwide, with hiring slowing and unemployment ticking up. Community & Hiring: UVM’s fall career fair drew protests tied to companies’ alleged links to Gaza, while some major employers did not attend.

Climate court fight: The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments in Suncor Energy v. Boulder County, a major test of whether states and local governments can sue Big Oil over climate damage—raising questions about who steers these cases and how fees are paid. Heating costs squeeze: With heating oil expected to jump about 50% this winter, millions of households face “sticker shock,” and LIHEAP may not cover the gap as Congress is urged to boost funding. Vermont agriculture & energy support: NRCS Vermont and Orleans County are hosting a free bedded pack manure management workshop (Oct. 29) to help livestock producers cut costs and improve soil health, while Vermont’s Farm to School CSA grant applications open for 2027. Local industry & infrastructure: Vermont’s road construction schedule for Oct. 5 highlights ongoing I-89 paving and bridge work, with drivers facing lane closures and reduced speeds. Community resilience: Wood banks in Lamoille County are stepping in with free firewood for seniors and income-eligible families as winter demand strains supply. Vermont business & culture: The Vermont Historical Society acquired Big Heavy World’s music archive, preserving a key slice of the state’s creative economy.

Energy Costs & Winter Readiness: Heating oil prices are nearing all-time highs, with estimates projecting a 50% jump this winter and about $900 more on average—raising fears that LIHEAP benefits may not cover the gap. Agriculture & Farm Infrastructure: NRCS Vermont and the Orleans County Natural Resources Conservation District are hosting a free bedded pack manure management workshop Oct. 29 at Bartlett Family Farm, aimed at improving herd health and soil outcomes. Local Construction & Traffic: Vermont’s weekly road construction report flags ongoing statewide line striping plus I-89 paving and bridge rehabilitation work that will bring lane closures, reduced speeds, and delays. Climate & Drought Outlook: A Dartmouth study finds Northeast droughts are less frequent and less intense than decades ago, but Vermont farmers are still urged not to assume drought is gone after last year’s major losses. Community & Business: Casella Waste Systems will close its Bethlehem landfill Dec. 31, shifting Concord’s waste hauling to a waste-to-energy facility. Vermont Culture & Preservation: The Vermont Historical Society acquired Big Heavy World’s Vermont music archive, preserving decades of recordings, radio, and community history.

Agriculture & Livestock Infrastructure: NRCS Vermont and the Orleans County Natural Resources Conservation District are hosting a free bedded pack manure management workshop Oct. 29 at Bartlett Family Farm in Greensboro, with a licensed engineer on how to run the system, calculate bedding needs, and protect herd health. Construction & Transportation: Vermont’s weekly highway work plan flags ongoing statewide line striping plus I-89 paving and bridge rehabilitation projects that will bring lane closures, reduced speeds, and delays around Bethel-Brookfield and Montpelier-Waterbury. Waste & Local Industry: Casella Waste Systems says it will close its Bethlehem, N.H. landfill at year’s end, shifting Concord’s trash hauling to the Wheelabrator waste-to-energy facility in Penacook. Public Health & Access: A new Medicaid study finds pediatric sleep testing access varies sharply by state and neighborhood demographics, with some children up to four times more likely to get sleep studies than others. Vermont Business Spotlight: Hayden Rowe Candle Co. is growing after building a soy-wax candle brand focused on cleaner ingredients, while the Vermont Historical Society acquired Big Heavy World’s music archive. Community & Privacy: Lawmakers including Vermont’s Becca Balint are pushing the FTC after a Guardian investigation into mismatched shelf and register pricing at major convenience chains.

Agriculture & Livestock Tech: NRCS Vermont and the Orleans County Natural Resources Conservation District are hosting a free bedded pack manure management workshop Oct. 29 at Bartlett Family Farm in Greensboro, with guidance from an experienced farmer and a licensed engineer. Cannabis Industry: Cannatrol says Operation Green Healing will be its exclusive nonprofit partner for the Cool Cure Limited Edition program, with proceeds supporting veterans’ wellness. Construction & Commuting: Vermont’s planned highway work for the week of Oct. 5 includes statewide line striping plus I-89 paving and bridge rehabilitation, with lane closures and reduced speeds. Waste & Infrastructure: Casella Waste Systems will close its Bethlehem, N.H. landfill at year-end, shifting Concord’s trash haul to a waste-to-energy facility. Vermont Culture & Craft: Vermont Open Studio Weekend returns Oct. 3-4 with 100+ self-guided studio stops across the state. Affordability & Consumer Watchdogs: Vermont Rep. Becca Balint joins lawmakers calling for FTC action after a Guardian investigation alleges 7-Eleven and Circle K overcharge customers at register or pump. Climate & Courts: States and cities sued the Trump administration over EPA’s repeal of power-plant emissions limits, arguing it weakens major climate protections. Privacy & Surveillance: Sanders, Merkley and AOC unveiled the Ban Flock Act to restrict federal use of automatic license plate readers.

Vermont agriculture & infrastructure: NRCS Vermont and the Orleans County Natural Resources Conservation District will host a free bedded pack manure management workshop Oct. 29 at Bartlett Family Farm in Greensboro, pairing farmer and licensed engineer guidance with cost calculations. A statewide construction roundup also flags ongoing line striping and I-89 paving/bridge work that will bring lane closures, reduced speeds, and delays. Cannabis business: Cannatrol says Operation Green Healing will become its exclusive nonprofit partner for the Cool Cure Limited Edition program, with proceeds supporting veterans’ wellness. Health & privacy: A class action firm is investigating claims tied to the Millstone Medical Outsourcing data breach, after the company reported an intrusion and notified affected people. Animal welfare: USDA filed a complaint against Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary alleging repeated Animal Welfare Act violations, including veterinary care and enclosure issues. Climate & energy policy: States and cities sued the Trump administration over EPA’s repeal of power-plant emissions limits; separately, the U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear Boulder’s Big Oil climate case. Tech & surveillance: Vermont’s Sen. Bernie Sanders and allies unveiled the Ban Flock Act to curb federal use of automatic license plate readers. Local culture: Vermont Open Studio Weekend returns Oct. 3-4 with free, self-guided visits to 100+ craft studios.

Fuel Economy Fight: Vermont is among the states suing the Trump administration over weakened CAFE fuel-efficiency standards, arguing the rollback violates the “maximum feasible” mandate and will raise costs at the pump while increasing pollution. Power-Plant Emissions: Cities and states, including Vermont, also challenge EPA moves rolling back power-plant greenhouse-gas limits, setting up another major court fight over climate and air-quality rules. Generic Drug Antitrust: Vermont joins a multistate push seeking court approval of a $400 million settlement with Sandoz and Fougera over alleged generic-drug price inflation and reduced competition, with consumers urged to check eligibility. Vermont Construction & Schools: A statewide highway work schedule flags traffic impacts for early October, while central Vermont school merger study talks are set to launch next week. Local Housing Funding: Barre received the remaining north-end flood recovery money after a state board decision, clearing a key step for projects tied to the 2023 disaster. Vermont Business & Community: Cannatrol’s Cool Cure program adds Operation Green Healing as a nonprofit partner for veterans’ wellness; Vermont Historical Society also announced it acquired Big Heavy World’s music archive. Public Health: CDC reports measles cases continue to rise nationally, with Vermont listed among reporting jurisdictions.

Diesel shock hits Vermont schools: Record-high diesel prices are straining bus budgets across the state, with one district projecting $200,000 in extra costs and monthly fuel increases of $16,000–$20,000. PFAS accountability fight: Vermont AG Nick Brown joined a bipartisan lawsuit aiming to stop DuPont from shifting assets to dodge cleanup liabilities tied to “forever chemicals.” Offshore wind legal pressure: Vermont joined a multi-state suit challenging federal moves to cancel offshore wind projects and redirect $1.4B to fossil fuel plants. Energy policy in court: States and cities, including Vermont, are also suing over EPA rollbacks of emissions limits for coal and gas power plants. Local industry & land use: Stowe Mountain Resort is seeking Act 250 approval to build two new beginner-friendly trails on Spruce Peak, with public comment due Oct. 6. Vermont business spotlight: Cannatrol announced Operation Green Healing as an exclusive nonprofit partner for its Cool Cure Limited Edition program supporting veterans’ wellness. Community & workforce: Vermont Open Studio Weekend returns Oct. 3–4 with 100+ craft studios opening to the public.

Power & Climate Policy: A coalition of more than 20 Democratic attorneys general sued the U.S. EPA over its repeal of Biden-era power plant emissions rules, arguing the rollback violates the Clean Air Act and could cut protections for coal, oil and gas generators. Generic Drug Antitrust: Vermont’s neighboring states are moving toward court approval of a $400 million settlement with Sandoz and Fougera over alleged generic drug price-fixing and reduced competition, with consumers urged to file claims for covered purchases. Solar + Agriculture Innovation: A Vermont couple’s “solar grazing” model has scaled from 30 sheep to 500 sheep managing vegetation across 1,500 acres of solar sites in the Northeast, offering a lower-risk alternative to mechanical mowing. Affordable Housing Geothermal: Vermont Gas is helping a new Hinesburg development by paying for underground geothermal ground-loop infrastructure, easing upfront costs for low- and moderate-income renters and owners. Vermont Business & Energy Efficiency: Vermont State University won an Efficiency Vermont impact award for campus energy savings, including LED upgrades and refrigeration modernization. Rail Infrastructure: Repairs to a railroad bridge in White River Junction are set to begin Friday, with alternating one-lane traffic and overnight work schedules.

Flood Recovery Funding: Vermont is rolling out a $31M Agriculture and Timber Disaster Assistance Program for loggers and farmers hit by 2023–24 flooding, with applications opening late next month and grants up to $75,000. Energy Storage in Homes: Green Mountain Power says its “virtual power plant” is now its biggest energy source, using shared home battery storage to keep lights on during outages and growing to about 5,600 customers. Vermont Yankee Redevelopment: PowerTransitions is weighing a 110–440 MW battery storage project on the former Vermont Yankee site, drawing community skepticism at a Vernon meeting. Affordable Housing Milestone: Putney’s Alice Holway Drive apartments opened after years of legal fights, placing 25 households into new affordable homes next to community gardens. Workforce & Efficiency: Vermont State University won Efficiency Vermont recognition for campus energy savings, including controls upgrades, LED retrofits, and refrigeration improvements. Public Health Guidance: Vermont’s Department of Health released 2026–27 flu, COVID, and RSV vaccine recommendations, including guidance issued under a new state law. AI & Data Center Politics: Senate Democrats blocked Ohio’s Ratepayer Protection Act, a fight over whether data centers should pay incremental grid costs instead of shifting them to ratepayers.