AGP Executive Report

Data Center Clash Hits Congress: A national fight over data centers is now moving from towns and states to Washington, with lawmakers debating bills, the Trump administration weighing in, and the EPA proposing changes—while Sen. Josh Hawley and Sen. Richard Blumenthal push a plan to prevent data centers from raising utility rates. Immigrant Health Coverage Cuts: States including Vermont are scaling back noncitizen health aid as federal Medicaid funding shrinks and Obamacare subsidies expire, leaving more people to fall through gaps. Education Consolidation Vote Looms: Vermont senators are expected to vote Tuesday on amendments to the education consolidation bill, including making redistricting voluntary and delaying the new school finance formula to FY2030. Local Health Hiring: Southeastern Vermont’s HCRS added three staffers in April to expand mental health and substance-use services across Windham and Windsor counties. Gas Prices: Diesel hit $5.59 in Lamoille County for the week ending May 16, with statewide averages easing slightly.

Utility & Grid Fight: Gov. Ned Lamont and the other New England governors urged federal regulators to reject a proposed electricity transmission profit increase, warning it could raise bills and hurt regional competitiveness. Telecom Siting: Vermont lawmakers are moving toward requiring the Public Utility Commission to consider town plans when approving telecommunication tower locations, a change pushed by neighbors who say current rules ignore local zoning. Solar vs. Farms: Senator Russ Ingalls is pushing to expand PUC oversight over siting and expansion of energy generation facilities, including solar, after concerns that projects can land on prime agriculture with too little scrutiny. Data Centers vs. Communities: The national debate is heating up in Washington as lawmakers weigh moratoriums and ratepayer protections amid growing local opposition to data centers. Vermont Economy: Vermont’s unemployment rate held at 2.6% in April. Local Business & Community: Vermont State University celebrated 1,531 graduates, and Girls on the Run Vermont is gearing up for a June 6 Manchester 5K fundraiser. Cybersecurity: 7-Eleven confirmed a data breach tied to the ShinyHunters ransomware gang, with Vermont among the states notified.

AI and Work Anxiety: Sen. Bernie Sanders warned at a “Fight Oligarchy” rally that AI and robotics could replace workers and even harm kids’ social development if billionaires control the tech. Local Water & Safety: The Champlain Valley School District hired a consultant to study runoff from CVU’s athletic Field B and whether it could contaminate Hinesburg’s water supply, with a mid-June report expected. Paraquat Push: Vermont is poised to become the first state to ban paraquat after lawmakers passed a bill; the governor has until May 26 to decide. Community & Tourism: The Vermont Chamber and Tourism Department released the free 2026/27 Vermont Inspiration Guide, highlighting local businesses and visitor stops. Sports Spotlight: Vermont Green FC celebrated a home sweep—men’s 9-0 win and women’s 2-1 victory—at Virtue Field. Gas Watch: Midgrade hit a low of $4.60 in Lamoille County for the week ending May 16, while statewide averages stayed higher.

Paraquat showdown: Vermont is poised to become the first state to ban paraquat after lawmakers passed H.739 on May 13; the bill now waits on Gov. Phil Scott’s decision by May 26, as a family tied to Parkinson’s disease says the exposure question is personal and urgent. Grid pressure and money: A utility-focused grid software startup, Texture, just raised $12.5 million to help power providers manage surging demand from EV charging, data centers, solar, and batteries—an early sign of how fast Vermont’s energy stress is spreading. Roads and delays: The state’s latest construction schedule for the week of May 25 flags paving and bridge work on major routes like I-89 and I-91, with speed limits and lane closures. Diesel prices: GasBuddy reports the lowest diesel in Orange County hit $5.69/gal for the week ending May 16, while Vermont’s diesel average edged down to $5.76. Community wins: RunVermont’s Vermont City Marathon drew 3,000+ runners, and Vermont Green FC celebrated its women’s home opener with a 2-1 win.

Vermont Green FC’s breakout weekend: The women’s team won its first-ever home opener, beating Hudson Valley Crusaders 2-1 at Virtue Field behind early scoring from Georgina Clarke and a go-ahead diving header by Violet Rademacher. Grid pressure meets new money: Texture, a grid software startup, raised $12.5 million as utilities scramble to manage EV charging and data center strain. Gas watch: Week ending May 16 brought the lowest regular price in Windham County at $4.29 and in Washington County at $4.39, while diesel lows showed up in Windsor County at $5.49. Courts under AI strain: An MIT researcher warns generative AI is fueling a surge of self-represented federal civil cases, threatening to overwhelm courts. Immigration friction at the border: Canada is reportedly rejecting some asylum seekers and turning them over to ICE, raising fresh concern for travelers caught between systems. Community calendar: Girls on the Run Vermont is gearing up for its Manchester 5K on June 6 and Essex 5K on May 30.

Community & Health: Girls on the Run Vermont is gearing up for two spring 5Ks—Essex Junction on May 30 and Manchester on June 6—drawing hundreds of girls, volunteer coaches, and running buddies, with proceeds feeding its Every Girl Fund. Natural Resources: The Vermont Natural Resources Council is opening nominations for its 2026 Arthur Gibb Award and a new Local Leadership Award, both due July 3. Workplace Safety: A new national map ranks states by workplace fatality rates, with energy, mining, trucking, and agriculture-heavy states topping the danger list. Federal Policy Fight: Conservation groups are pushing back on a federal move to roll back the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, with New England— including Vermont—at the center of the dispute. Higher Ed & Loans: Vermont is among states suing the Education Department over finalized student loan caps for professional degrees, arguing key programs were left out. Local Infrastructure: A weekly construction roundup flags paving, bridge rehab, and lane closures across I-89 and I-91 ahead of Memorial Day travel.

Memorial Day momentum: Vermont’s Senate gave preliminary approval to a bottle bill tweak that raises the producer handling fee by a penny, with redemption centers set to use the money for upgrades and staffing—though lawmakers are split on whether it will push drink prices higher. PFAS watch: Southern Bennington and Shaftsbury residents are getting free bottled water and well testing as PFAS contamination tied to the former ChemFab site is found to have spread and worsened over time. Roads and logistics: A busy week of construction is planned across state highways and interstates, including I-89 paving and I-91 work, plus local detours and bridge closures tied to ongoing repairs. Community & business: Girls on the Run Vermont is gearing up for statewide 5Ks in June, while the SBA will honor Vermont Small Business Persons of the Year in Burlington on June 11. Lake Champlain protection: Two nonprofits are combining legal muscle and data work to tackle marine debris and push policy change for the basin.

Wetlands vs. housing: Vermont’s Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules rejected Gov. Phil Scott’s plan to loosen wetland protections for housing, saying the move conflicts with lawmakers’ intent and oversteps executive authority—though the administration has two weeks to respond and could still push ahead. Transit upgrade: Amtrak’s next-gen Airo trains have arrived in Seattle for testing and crew training, with the Amtrak Cascades route set to be the first to use them in fall 2026. Energy pressure: AAA says Memorial Day weekend gas prices hit a four-year high, with the national regular average around $4.56. Local business & community: Girls on the Run Vermont is gearing up for a June 6 Manchester 5K fundraiser, while Franklin County’s new pick-your-own trail map spotlights agritourism growth. Health workforce: A new study links ICE enforcement activity to disruptions in the childcare workforce, with immigrant women’s employment dropping in communities seeing more operations.

Housing vs. Wetlands: Vermont lawmakers dealt a blow to Gov. Phil Scott’s push to loosen wetland rules for housing, rejecting draft changes that would have cut buffers around certain wetlands and allowed more building without a permit in unmapped areas—an effort the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules said exceeded the governor’s authority and conflicted with statute. Childcare Licensure: In the same policy swirl, House lawmakers tabled a childcare licensure overhaul, leaving providers in limbo as questions about training, fees, and staffing impacts remain unresolved. Rural Health Tech: Vermont is among states lining up Rural Health Transformation Program spending, with plans that include AI-driven documentation tools for rural care providers. Gas Watch: Memorial Day travel is colliding with high prices—AAA says national regular is near $4.56, while Vermont’s weekly average is about $4.53, with local stations sometimes lower. Local Business & Community: Burlington will host the SBA’s 2026 Vermont Small Business Persons of the Year awards, while Girls on the Run Vermont gears up for statewide 5Ks in May and June.

Federal Manufacturing Boost: GlobalFoundries is set to expand in Vermont with $375 million in new federal funding tied to its Quantum Technology Solutions push. Grid Modernization Funding: Texture raised $12.5M to help utilities manage the “real-time” complexity of today’s power grid, from data-center load to renewables and EVs. Local Governance Watch: Norwich’s Selectboard adopted new policies after admitting open meeting law violations and attaching unredacted January emails to meeting minutes. Road Work Ahead: VTrans will resurface VT Route 104A (Georgia to Fairfax) starting June 1, and an I-89 Exit 16 southbound off-ramp closure hits overnight May 21–22. Energy Costs on the Move: GasBuddy reports show premium prices hovering around the mid-$5 range statewide, with the lowest premium in Bennington County at $5.19 (week ending May 16). PFAS Backlash: The EPA reversed key “forever chemical” drinking-water safeguards, extending compliance timelines while critics warn protections are being narrowed.

Roadwork Disruptions: VTrans will close the I-89 southbound Exit 16 off-ramp overnight Thursday, May 21 (7 p.m. to 6 a.m.), rerouting drivers to Exit 17 and US Route 2/7 as part of the Exit 16 Diverging Diamond Interchange project. Local Development: Milton’s Hourglass Project is moving forward near Route 7, Railroad Street and Middle Road, with new signals, turning lanes, and intersection changes expected to keep construction going through summer 2027. Public Safety & Policy: A Vermont House bill on officer masking (S.208) passed but stops short of covering federal agents, leaving Democrats split. Business Watch: FDA data shows two Addison County food-and-cosmetics firms each received two inspections in 2025, both with “no action indicated.” Community & Culture: Girls on the Run Vermont is gearing up for a June 6 Manchester 5K fundraiser, with proceeds supporting its Every Girl Fund.

Education & Healthcare Legal Fight: California and a coalition of states sued the Trump administration over new federal limits on loans for nurses, physician’s assistants, therapists and other healthcare students, arguing the rules illegally narrow what counts as a “professional” degree and could worsen staffing shortages. Vermont Policy Crosscurrents: The Vermont Senate voted to repeal the Clean Heat Standard, a 2023 fossil-fuel phase-down law that stalled over affordability concerns—while also advancing a bill to gather fossil-fuel use data for future decisions. Energy Innovation at the State Level: “Balcony solar” is spreading beyond a few states, with Vermont among those advancing plug-in solar proposals aimed at lowering household energy costs. Local Business & Community: Bennington’s The Gift Garden marked 50 years, and Girls on the Run Vermont is gearing up for major spring 5Ks to fund scholarships statewide. Public Safety & Scams: A woman lost nearly $10K in a jury-duty crypto scam after a fake sheriff’s caller pressured her to use a Bitcoin ATM.

ACA Marketplace Shock: A new benchmark premium jump of 21.7% for 2026 is hitting households unevenly, with Vermont reporting the highest average at $1,299 per month—far above states like New Hampshire at $401. AI in Montpelier: Gov. Phil Scott created a Vermont Artificial Intelligence Economic Taskforce, aiming for up to five recommendations in 90 days on how state government can adopt AI responsibly. Clean Heat Reversal: The Vermont Senate voted to repeal the Clean Heat Standard, a 2023 law that stalled over affordability concerns. Healthcare Workforce Fight: California and other states sued over Trump-era limits on federal loans for nurses, PAs, therapists, and other professional healthcare programs—arguing it will worsen staffing shortages. Student Loan Rule Challenge: Washington and a coalition of states also sued the Education Department over a narrower definition of “professional degree,” again targeting access to higher loan caps. Brattleboro Outdoor Access: Rail and trail upgrades are moving ahead, including a new Amtrak platform and plans to connect trails across the Connecticut River. Road Trip Reality Check: Gas prices remain volatile heading into Memorial Day, with New England still among the pricier regions.

Student Loans Clash: Washington and Connecticut attorneys general sued the U.S. Department of Education over a new rule that narrows what counts as a “professional degree,” arguing it could block graduate students—especially in healthcare—from accessing federal loan limits. Local School Budget Fight: Barre voters again rejected the Barre Unified Union School District budget after Town voted it down, while Barre City approved a slightly smaller plan and re-elected Mayor Lauzon. Climate Insurance Pressure: A new national look at home insurance points to climate-driven volatility—bigger disaster losses, higher non-renewals, and rising premiums—while New England’s damage totals still lag. SNAP Timing: June SNAP payments are rolling out on different state schedules, with dates varying by case numbers or recipient details. Roads Under Strain: Potholes are being framed as a funding problem, with deferred maintenance and outdated gas-tax revenue leaving agencies “triaging” repairs. Vermont Data Centers: Vermont’s Sustainable Data Centers Act cleared Senate committees and is now at third reading, with a final vote pending. Community Notes: Girls on the Run Vermont is gearing up for major spring 5Ks, and Little Caesars is set to open in Belfast mid-June.

Data Center Push: Vermont’s Sustainable Data Centers Act (H.727) is now at Senate third reading after clearing both Senate committees and passing the full Senate on amendments 26-3, with the Senate version adding more detail than the House bill and applying to facilities using 20 megawatts or more. Local Business Resilience: In Brattleboro, three Afghan entrepreneurs hit a shutdown after a landlord failed to pay utilities—but with community help, they’re scrambling to reopen their new restaurant. Energy Pressure: Gas prices stay jumpy; in the week ending May 9, Washington County’s lowest midgrade hit $4.59, while Vermont’s average midgrade rose to about $4.95. FDA Checks: FDA inspection counts remain low in Vermont counties covered this week—Rutland County had 2 companies inspected in 2025 (both “No Action Indicated”), and Lamoille County had 1. Community & Culture: Bennington officials updated plans for a $42.7 million luxury resort, and the Bennington Theater hosts the Grace Fall Band May 22.

Bennington Development Watch: Officials updated neighbors on a $42.7 million luxury resort plan at the former Southern Vermont College campus, saying Act 250 and town permitting paperwork is now filed after tough historic and environmental hurdles. Public Health & Safety: Tick season is ramping up, with a Vermont expert breaking down three species to watch and what prevention actually helps. Housing & Infrastructure Pressure: The OCC finalized a rule that preempts state escrow-interest requirements for national banks, a move that could reshape how homeowners are charged and what states can require. Local Services Under Strain: Safe Haven in Randolph is set to close as federal funding squeezes hit shelter and support programs. Energy & Environment: NEWMOA warns the Northeast could lose significant disposal capacity within five years, with Vermont included in the regionwide pressure. Skilled Trades Pipeline: Vermont Works for Women is bringing its Trailblazers free trades training program to Manchester this summer, with a paid work experience component. Community Calendar: Bennington’s MayFest and the Bandwagon Summer Series return, keeping the arts and local events engine running.