AGP Executive Report

Public Lands Accountability: Vermont is moving toward formal rules for how state land is managed, with advocates pushing for real public input instead of opaque internal policies. Recreation Costs & Access: Vermont Fish and Wildlife leaders warn that rising demand and expenses are forcing agencies to consider more fee revenue and gradual price hikes for state parks and access sites. Invasive Species Fight: Lewis Creek Association is working to stop aquatic invasive plants in Bristol and Monkton ponds from spreading through the watershed, using local monitoring and outreach. Storm-Ready Grid: A new look at resilience argues that “smarter operations” matter as much as hardware as extreme weather stresses the electric system. Northern Lights Watch: NOAA forecasts a strong aurora event tied to a solar CME, with possible visibility across many northern states including Massachusetts. Medical Aid in Dying: A national explainer highlights how the option works in Vermont and other states where it’s legal. Vermont Health Workforce: UVM Medical Center’s Project SEARCH program is celebrating graduates building workplace skills, while The Village at White River Junction names a new executive director. Local Politics: Bennington-2 incumbents Greer and Corcoran launch re-election bids, citing work on prescription drug reforms and PFAS protections.

Vermont Wildlife & Water Safety: WCAX won a regional Emmy for its “What Lies Beneath” report on how drought in Huntington Gorge exposed deadly hazards in a popular swimming spot, a reminder to pause before jumping in. Flood Resilience: Vermont volunteers are “Culvert Crawlers,” clearing and monitoring culverts to help towns prioritize maintenance as heavier rainstorms raise flood risk. Toxic Chemicals & Health: Vermont became the first state to ban paraquat, a weedkiller linked to Parkinson’s disease, as regulators elsewhere face mounting pressure. PFAS Crackdown: A state-by-state push on “forever chemicals” is reshaping what ends up in homes, with Vermont among states moving toward disclosure and restrictions. Energy & Local Control: Governor Phil Scott vetoed a Vermont bill aimed at limiting impacts from large AI data centers, drawing criticism from environmental groups. Weather Watch: New England faces rounds of showers and thunderstorms, with alerts tied to damaging winds and hail. Road Safety: Vermont State Police reported a fatal Derby rollover on May 20 and a separate Woodford crash involving a driver who fell asleep. Community Science: Darwin’s Ark is recruiting more cat owners nationwide, including underrepresented states like Vermont, for a genetics and behavior study.

Data Center Fight in Montpelier: Rep. Kathleen James says Gov. Phil Scott’s veto of H.727 would have protected Vermonters from the financial and environmental hit of large AI data centers, after the bill drew broad tripartisan support but failed to clear the override threshold. PFAS Crackdown: A new national push is tightening rules on “forever chemicals,” with Vermont among states moving toward disclosure requirements or restrictions as more PFAS laws take effect. Pesticide Health Warning: Vermont became the first state to ban paraquat, a weedkiller linked to Parkinson’s disease, as advocates urge other states to follow. Flood Resilience on the Ground: Vermont volunteers are crawling culverts through the “Culvert Crawlers” program to help communities spot problems early and reduce storm damage. Wildlife Protection: Vermont Fish and Wildlife warns the public not to disturb sea lamprey during spawning in the Connecticut River basin. Weather & Aurora: Northern lights forecasts call for a strong aurora display Monday into Tuesday, while weekend storms bring showers and thunder risk.

Herbicide Ban: Vermont became the first state to ban paraquat, an herbicide linked to Parkinson’s disease, with a phase-out plan for the small number of users. Data Center Fight: A veto of H.727 drew sharp backlash from Democrats and environmental groups, who say the bill would have limited big data-center impacts on Vermonters’ bills and air and water. AI Ownership Push: In Washington, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman met with Sen. Bernie Sanders after Sanders proposed letting the public own 50% of major AI companies via a public wealth fund—an idea Altman supports in principle, even if not at that level. Water Safety: Vermont Fish and Wildlife is warning the public not to disturb sea lamprey during spawning in the Connecticut River. Climate Watch: A weekly climate roundup highlights the growing environmental toll of data centers as AI demand surges. Wildlife & Nature: A story on Northeastern crayfish spotlights Vermont’s place in broader biodiversity and invasive species dynamics. Weather: Forecasters warn of possible severe thunderstorms over the weekend, with damaging winds and hail risks. Local Notes: South Burlington is moving toward initial zoning rules for data centers, and Vermont’s ski season report says visits hit the highest level in 11 years.

Offshore Wind Legal Fight: Seven Northeastern states, including Vermont, sued the Trump administration over a “sham deal” to pay TotalEnergies about $928 million to cancel offshore wind leases, arguing it breaks federal law and swaps clean energy and union jobs for more oil and gas. Vermont Energy & AI: A Vermont lawmaker says Gov. Scott’s veto of H.727 would leave Vermonters exposed to the financial and environmental impacts of large AI data centers, as South Burlington moves to draft initial zoning rules for the fast-growing industry. Water & Wildlife: Vermont Fish and Wildlife warned anglers not to disturb sea lamprey spawning in the Connecticut River basin, while public guidance also urges boaters to protect nesting loons and chicks. Pollution Watch: Vermont AG Bonta joined an EPA comment on microplastics in drinking water, pushing for more monitoring as regulators expand research priorities. Local Climate & Recreation: Ski Vermont reported its strongest skier visits in years, and Burlington Electric announced new hydro power purchase agreements to boost renewable supply. Community & Health: UVM Health’s Project SEARCH graduated eight participants, highlighting workplace skills for young adults with disabilities.

Lake & Wildlife Protection: Vermont Fish and Wildlife is urging anglers and the public to avoid disturbing spawning sea lamprey in the Connecticut River and tributaries, noting the fish are native and play an important ecological role. Recreation & Shoreline Rules: Vermont is tightening wake-boat limits, restricting them to designated zones on 20 lakes and ponds, requiring a 500-foot buffer from other boats and people, and setting $300 fines starting June 11. Clean Water & Pollution Policy: California AG Rob Bonta joined a multistate letter to the EPA backing research on microplastics in drinking water while urging more monitoring. Energy & Power Contracts: Burlington Electric Department approved new hydro power purchase agreements, including output from Maine’s Skelton Hydro and a 10-year deal for Connecticut’s Wyre Wynd project. Ag & Food Systems: Smokey House Center in Danby received a Farm to School grant to install a berry alley cropping system, bringing hundreds of students into agroforestry-based learning. Climate/Tech Governance: Vermont lawmakers failed to override Gov. Scott’s veto of H.727, a bill aimed at protecting Vermonters from future large-scale AI data center impacts.

Offshore Wind Legal Fight: Seven Northeastern states, including Vermont lawmakers, sued the Trump administration over a deal to refund nearly $1 billion to TotalEnergies after the company agreed to abandon offshore wind leases—arguing the agreement breaks federal law and undercuts energy and climate goals. Hydropower for Vermont: Burlington Electric Department signed new hydropower power purchase agreements, including output tied to Maine’s Skelton Hydro facility and a 10-year deal for Connecticut’s Wyre Wynd project. Wake Boat Crackdown: Vermont will tighten wake sports rules starting June 11, limiting wake boats to designated zones on 18 lakes and imposing $300 fines for violations, aiming to reduce shoreline erosion and protect wildlife. Severe Weather Watch: Saturday could bring damaging wind gusts and large hail across parts of the Northeast, with a higher tornado risk in northern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. Farm-to-School Agroforestry: Smokey House Center in Danby won a Farm to School grant to install a berry alley cropping system, bringing hundreds of students to help build a diversified perennial food setup. Northern Lights: NOAA says there’s a chance the aurora could be visible in Vermont tonight, though clouds may get in the way. Lake & Wildlife Care: Vermont Fish & Wildlife reminded anglers to avoid disturbing spawning sea lamprey in the Connecticut River basin, and officials urged safer swimming and paddling as waters remain dangerously cold. Community Gardens: Franklin County’s community gardens are expanding, giving residents hands-on growing skills and a place to connect.

Health Care Cost Fight: Vermont lawmakers passed a bill to speed up reference-based pricing tied to Medicare benchmarks, aiming to cut the state’s steep premiums—yet Republicans largely opposed it and Gov. Phil Scott’s veto threat is in the air. Data Centers & Power Demand: A new UN-backed report says data centers’ electricity use is already massive and rising fast with AI, turning energy and water demand into a growing climate and cost issue—plus Vermont’s own H.727 AI data-center protection effort was vetoed and failed to override. Clean Energy Legal Battle: Vermont is among states suing to block the Trump administration’s offshore wind lease cancellations tied to a TotalEnergies buyout, arguing the deal is unlawful. Wildlife Protection: Vermont Fish & Wildlife is urging anglers to avoid disturbing spawning sea lamprey in the Connecticut River basin, while also reminding people to protect nesting loons. Water & Public Safety: Hanover Water found higher-than-normal iron in Fletcher Reservoir after recent rain runoff, and state officials are reminding Vermonters to swim and paddle with caution as cold, fast water can be deadly. Local Environment Projects: Barton is moving ahead with a culvert replacement on Pageant Park Road to better handle extreme flooding. Northern Lights: NOAA forecasts a strong geomagnetic storm (G3) with a chance the aurora could be visible in Vermont tonight, if clouds cooperate.

Clean Energy Pilots: DeltaClimeVT is rolling out four utility-linked pilot projects totaling $110,000 to test Vermont’s clean-energy future, including smarter vegetation management and expanded EV charging access. Lake Protection Rules: Vermont is tightening wake-boat regulations mid-June, limiting where wake sports can operate and increasing buffers to protect fragile shorelines and nesting loons. Shoreland Guidance: The Vermont DEC is urging lakefront owners to use Shoreland Best Management Practices—native plantings, rain gardens, and no-mow zones—to cut runoff and protect habitat. EV Growth: Vermont has surpassed 20,000 EVs on the road, with driving costs around $1.75/gallon equivalent, helped by lower charging rates and used-EV affordability. Wildlife & Public Safety: Vermont Fish and Wildlife is reminding boaters and anglers to keep distance from nesting loons and bring fishing line home to prevent entanglements. Data Center Backlash: Across the country, communities are debating data centers over energy, water use, noise, and waste—Vermont is watching as the fight over where they belong grows. Northern Lights Watch: NOAA upgraded aurora odds for June 4–5 with a strong G3 geomagnetic storm, potentially visible well south of the usual zones.

Northern Lights Watch: NOAA is forecasting a strong geomagnetic storm (G3) for June 4–5, with aurora chances reaching as far south as 23 states, including Vermont and the North Country, with the best viewing window Thursday night into early Friday. Heat and Storms: A warm-up is building across New England, with highs pushing toward the 90s in many areas and humidity rising, plus periodic rain chances into the weekend. PFAS in Ski Wax: Despite bans, PFAS “forever chemicals” are still showing up in ski wax rooms, raising health concerns and renewing calls for safer gear and handling. Offshore Wind in Court: Vermont and other Northeastern states are suing the Trump administration over offshore wind lease cancellations tied to TotalEnergies, arguing the deal misused taxpayer money and undermined climate and grid goals. Lake Protection for Shoreland Owners: Vermont’s Lakes and Ponds Program is urging lakefront property owners to use shoreland best practices—native plants, rain gardens, and no-mow zones—to cut erosion and protect water quality. Loons Need Space: Vermont Fish and Wildlife is asking boaters and anglers to keep distance from nesting loons and bring fishing line home to prevent entanglement. Battery Storage Pushback: Vergennes residents are raising concerns about a proposed battery storage facility, including fire risk from lithium-ion batteries, ahead of a public hearing. EV Growth in Vermont: New data shows Vermont’s EV count is up to nearly 21,000 vehicles, driven by higher gas prices, more affordable used EVs, and discounted charging rates.

Offshore Wind Legal Fight: New York Attorney General Letitia James and a coalition of Northeast states, including Vermont, sued the Trump administration over a nearly $1 billion deal that pays TotalEnergies to cancel offshore wind leases—arguing it’s unlawful and steers money toward fossil fuels instead of clean energy. Battery Storage Watch: A public meeting in Vergennes is set on a proposed battery storage facility, with residents raising concerns about lithium-ion fire risk and local pollution impacts. Wildlife-Friendly Farming: Vermont Fish and Wildlife is urging landowners to protect grassland birds by delaying mowing until August, giving species like bobolinks time to rear young. Lake Shore Protection: Vermont’s Lakes and Ponds Program is sharing shoreland best practices for property owners around Lake Bomoseen and other waters—native plantings, rain gardens, and no-mow zones to cut runoff and restore habitat. Forest Service Scrutiny: Sen. Peter Welch pressed the U.S. Forest Service chief over a reorganization plan he says could weaken management capacity for forests, including Vermont’s Green Mountain National Forest. Elm Disease Response: Scientists are injecting American elms with Dutch elm disease fungus as part of a conservation effort to save floodplain forests in Benson. EV Momentum: New data says Vermont now has nearly 21,000 electric vehicles, with used EVs and lower charging rates helping more drivers make the switch. Weather: Heat is building into the weekend, but showers are also returning—especially across northern Vermont.

Offshore wind legal fight: New York and six other states—including Vermont—sued the Trump administration over a March deal paying TotalEnergies nearly $1 billion to cancel offshore wind leases, arguing the government skipped required hearings and is steering money toward oil and gas instead. Wildlife corridors: Vermont and partners are working to protect shrinking forest pathways that species need to migrate as climate change shifts habitats, amid ongoing land-use and housing pressures. Lake protection: The Vermont Lakes and Ponds Program is urging shoreland owners to use best management practices—like native plantings and rain gardens—to cut erosion and protect water quality around lakes and ponds. EV momentum: Vermont’s EV count is rising fast, with used EVs and lower charging costs helping drivers switch as gas prices stay high. Paraquat backlash: Vermont’s early paraquat ban is fueling renewed debate after reports from Australia about continued use of the Parkinson’s-linked herbicide. Local land-use: Milton planning commission applicants weighed growth pressures and the Hourglass development as the town debates zoning and infrastructure capacity. Community & environment: Vermont’s paraquat ban and lake stewardship efforts are also showing up in local conversations, from wildlife-friendly practices to public events.

Shoreline Protection: Vermont’s DEC is urging lakefront owners to use Shoreland Best Management Practices—like native plantings, rain gardens, and no-mow zones—to cut erosion and protect water quality under the Shoreland Protection Act, which covers activities within 250 feet of many lakes and ponds. Offshore Wind Fight: Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark joined a coalition suing the U.S. Department of the Interior to block a Trump-era deal that would cancel offshore wind leases off New York in exchange for about $1 billion in taxpayer-backed payments to TotalEnergies, with plaintiffs arguing it violates federal law and undermines climate and jobs. Climate Science in Court: AG William Tong led a coalition letter opposing the Federal Judicial Center’s removal of a peer-reviewed climate science reference guide from its judicial manual, warning that climate-related litigation is growing and judges still need accurate guidance. Data Center Concerns: A Vermont Business Magazine report highlights how communities are reacting to proposed data centers—citing worries about noise, heat, and rising electricity and water use. Rural Innovation: UVM’s RISE Summit on June 16 will focus on “Partnerships for Rural Prosperity,” including a keynote on how rural communities can approach AI with public trust in mind. Ticks and Summer Risk: CDC reporting says tick-bite ER visits are at the highest levels for this time of year since 2017, with warmer conditions driving more tick activity in the Northeast.

Shoreline Protection: Vermont DEC is urging lakefront owners to use Shoreland Best Management Practices around lakes and ponds, including native plantings, rain gardens, better driveways/pathways, and no-mow zones, to cut erosion and protect water quality and wildlife habitat. Wildlife Safety: Vermont Fish and Wildlife is asking boaters and anglers to keep a safe distance from nesting loons this summer, bring all fishing line home to prevent entanglement, and reel in if loons dive nearby. Lake Rules: Vermont’s new wake-surfing regulations will effectively ban the sport on most lakes, including Lake Fairlee, starting June 11, after rules were expanded by the state administrative committee. Agriculture Grants: The Agency of Agriculture is accepting Capital Equipment Assistance Program applications for water-quality improvements, with a July 15 deadline, plus a separate Pay for Performance program focused on reducing phosphorus losses. Weather Watch: Vermont saw a spring of extreme swings, including an EF-1 tornado in Williamstown and a historic temperature spread, and forecasters say summer starts cooler before warming. Education Policy: Lawmakers passed Vermont’s Education Transformation Bill (H.955) with a shift away from forced school mergers toward voluntary mergers and shared services, aiming to stabilize funding as enrollment declines. AI Data Centers: Gov. Phil Scott vetoed a bill that would have added new regulations for AI data centers, saying Vermont already has enough oversight.

Wildlife Protection: Vermont Fish and Wildlife is urging boaters and anglers to keep extra distance from nesting loons this summer to reduce stress and prevent deaths from fishing gear. Water Recreation Rules: Wake surfing is effectively being banned on most of Vermont’s lakes under new state rules, with Lake Fairlee among those losing access starting June 11. Farm Water Quality Funding: The Vermont Agency of Agriculture is taking CEAP applications for water-quality field equipment improvements, with a new earlier July 15 deadline, plus a June 1–July 15 window for its phosphorus-loss Pay for Performance program. Solar Oversight: Vermont is investigating a solar array after reports of broken panels, raising questions about development and maintenance practices. Climate & Energy Policy: Vermont lawmakers are moving to tighten rules around paraquat, while debate continues over how the state should handle nuclear power and grid reliability. Community & Resilience: UVM’s RISE Summit on June 16 will focus on “Partnerships for Rural Prosperity,” including a keynote on AI’s role in the rural economy. Weather Watch: Flooding was reported after the Winooski River jumped its banks in Marshfield, with more rain possible.

Paraquat Ban in Vermont: Gov. Phil Scott signed Vermont’s landmark law banning the neurotoxic herbicide paraquat, a move praised as a major health win amid concerns about Parkinson’s links; the law ends most uses by year’s end while allowing limited, regulated orchard and berry use through 2030. Solar Scrutiny After Damage: Vermont regulators are looking into a solar array gone awry in Shaftsbury after wind damage and delayed cleanup raised questions about possible soil contamination from broken panels. Flooding in Marshfield: The Winooski River jumped its banks May 30 in Marshfield, flooding fields and submerging trees along Route 2, with more rain possible over the next several days. Data Centers & Power Strain: A national look at how states are responding to the data center boom highlights growing fights over grid costs, water use, and household bills—part of the pressure Vermont communities are likely to feel too. Community & Environment: Winooski’s first-ever Service Carnival drew nonprofits working on food access, mental health, youth programs, and environmental initiatives, while South Burlington’s Good Grief 5K raised support for families facing pregnancy loss or infant death.