AGP Executive Report

Power-plant climate rollback fight: Vermont’s AG Nick Brown joined a coalition suing the Trump administration to restore federal greenhouse gas limits for coal and gas plants, arguing the repeal will worsen extreme heat and other harms. PFAS accountability: Brown also backed a bipartisan lawsuit aiming to stop DuPont (EIDP) and related companies from shifting assets to dodge cleanup costs for “forever chemicals” contaminating water and soil. Offshore wind vs. fossil fuel payouts: New York and other states, including Vermont, sued to block federal payments that would cancel offshore wind projects and redirect money to fossil fuel plants. Vermont wildlife rules update: Vermont Fish and Wildlife amended regulations on big-game reporting, tracking dogs, and crossbow bolt standards. Act 250 on ski trails: Stowe Mountain Resort sought Act 250 approval for new beginner-friendly trails on Spruce Peak, with an environmental review finding no major wildlife habitat impacts. Fall in Vermont: Peak foliage is arriving, with brighter color reported in the Northeast Kingdom and statewide trackers updating through early October. Hazmat training grants: PHMSA awarded Vermont funding for hazardous materials instructor training and state inspections.

Climate Court Fight: A coalition of Democratic attorneys general and cities sued the Trump administration over EPA’s repeal of power-plant greenhouse gas limits, arguing the rollback violates the Clean Air Act and will worsen extreme heat, storms, flooding, and wildfire smoke. Vermont Shoreland Rules: The state DEC is urging lakefront owners to remove docks or let them freeze in place, and to skip dock aeration/bubblers unless they have a Lake Encroachment Permit—because open-water pools can make winter recreation unsafe and can affect lake health. Fall Foliage Watch: Vermont’s peak color is arriving now, with mountains leading and Lake Champlain lagging; forecasts point to expanding peak areas through early October. Hazmat Training Grants: The Short Line Safety Institute and Vermont agencies received PHMSA hazmat grants for instructor training, emergency response training, and state inspections. Solar Grazing Grows: A Vermont couple’s sheep-based vegetation control for solar sites has scaled from 30 sheep in 2018 to 500 sheep across 1,500 acres in the Northeast. Local Health Funding: Rutland Regional Medical Center received $3.15 million in Vermont Rural Health Transformation grants to expand and redesign rural care.

PFAS health concern: A new look at “forever chemicals” warns PFAS exposure may happen through skin, not just food and water, with possible impacts on the liver, immune system and more. Lake protection rules: Vermont DEC urges shoreland owners to remove docks or let them freeze in place, and to skip dock aeration devices unless they’re permitted—bubblers can create unsafe open-water areas. Salmon spawning closure: A portion of Hatchery Cove on Lake Champlain will be closed to fishing Oct. 1–Nov. 30 to protect a corridor for landlocked Atlantic salmon. Flood recovery funding: Vermont launched a $31M flood recovery fund for farmers and foresters, offering up to 95% of losses (capped) to rebuild and prepare for future extreme weather. Energy resilience: Green Mountain Power is expanding a “virtual power plant” battery program that can keep lights on during outages. AI transparency: Vermont lawmakers raised concerns about state use of AI for cybersecurity testing with Anthropic, saying they weren’t notified. Local environment enforcement: Vermont State Police and ANR investigated littering on the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail in Sheldon.

Lake & Shoreland Rules: Vermont DEC is urging shoreland owners to remove docks or let them freeze in place, and to skip dock-side aeration devices that can create unsafe open-water pools; bubblers/ice eaters/de-icers require a Lake Encroachment Permit. Wildlife Protection: Vermont Fish & Wildlife is closing a small Hatchery Cove corridor on Lake Champlain to fishing Oct. 1–Nov. 30 to protect landlocked Atlantic salmon moving into Hatchery Brook. Rail Trail Cleanup: Vermont State Police and ANR are investigating littering on the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail after waste and scrap were left behind during a private cleanup effort. Forestry Training: VT-LEAP is running fall workshops starting Oct. 6, including “Professionalism in Forestry,” with grant info for working lands businesses and forestry workers. Energy & Resilience: A BBC report says Green Mountain Power’s “virtual power plant” now powers more than 5,500 Vermont homes via distributed batteries and storage, helping cut outages. Local Governance: Killington is back before the Vermont Economic Progress Council over TIF accounting, with deadlines still in play.

Lake & Wildlife Rules: Vermont DEC is urging shoreland owners to remove docks or let them freeze in place, and warns against dockside aerators/bubblers that can create unsafe open-water pools—any dock aeration needs a Lake Encroachment Permit. Rail Trail Cleanup: Vermont State Police say a person who tried to clean up a privately owned wooded area along the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail in Sheldon created hazardous conditions and a costly mess; they were told to stop and coordinate with town and property owners. Salmon Protection: Vermont Fish & Wildlife will close a 20-by-100-foot Hatchery Cove corridor on Lake Champlain from Oct. 1 to Nov. 30 to protect landlocked Atlantic salmon passage into Hatchery Brook. Data Centers & Politics: A national coalition of AI firms, private equity, and unions is pushing states toward stricter standards instead of moratoriums as data center fights grow. Plastic Recycling Claim: Beyond Plastics says Starbucks’ “widely recyclable” cups end up in landfills/incinerators, with no confirmed recycling. Cybersecurity: The Scott administration is using Anthropic’s Claude Code to scan state IT for vulnerabilities, drawing calls for more legislative oversight. Local Environment Tech: Vermont is also rolling out connectivity focus areas for wildlife movement planning.

Lake & winter safety: Vermont DEC is urging shoreland owners to remove docks before winter or let them freeze in place, and to skip dockside aeration devices that can create unsafe open-water “pools” on lakes; installing bubblers/ice eaters/de-icers requires a Lake Encroachment Permit. Rail trail dumping: Vermont State Police and ANR are investigating trash and scrap metal dumped along the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail in Sheldon; police say the person identified was trying to clean up but created hazardous conditions and costly cleanup for VTrans. Salmon protection closure: Vermont Fish & Wildlife is closing a 20-by-100-foot corridor at Hatchery Cove on Lake Champlain (Oct. 1–Nov. 30) to protect landlocked Atlantic salmon passage to Hatchery Brook. Power resilience in homes: A Vermont “virtual power plant” program is helping households cut outages using leased home batteries through Green Mountain Power. Forestry training: VT-LEAP is offering fall workshops starting Oct. 6, including “Professionalism in Forestry,” with grant info for working lands. Offshore wind fight: Maine joined a coalition challenging federal offshore wind lease cancellations tied to public payouts.

Rail Trail Dumping: Vermont State Police and ANR are investigating a major trash and scrap-metal dumping along the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail in Sheldon, with cleanup costs and safety/environmental concerns; tips go to VSP St. Albans. Lake Champlain Fisheries: A small Hatchery Cove corridor on Lake Champlain is closed to fishing Oct. 1–Nov. 30 to protect landlocked Atlantic salmon as they move into Hatchery Brook to spawn. Plastic Recycling Claims: Beyond Plastics says Starbucks’ “widely recyclable” plastic cups aren’t actually recycled—tracked cups ended up in landfills or incinerators. Winter Snow Research: UMF is joining the NSF-funded Snow STORE effort, building a regional snowpack monitoring network across northern New England. Orchard Pest Management: Vermont apple growers are using precision, targeted pest control and weather-aware spraying to protect pie-ready fruit. Local Cleanup & Health: Volunteers collected 1,300 syringes in a Hartford-area cleanup, highlighting ongoing community health and litter concerns. Forestry Training: VT-LEAP is running “Professionalism in Forestry” starting Oct. 6 at UVM Extension in Berlin, with grant info for working lands businesses.

Wildlife & Waterways: Vermont Fish & Wildlife is closing a 20-by-100-foot fishing corridor at Hatchery Cove on Lake Champlain from Oct. 1 to Nov. 30 to protect landlocked Atlantic salmon as they move into Hatchery Brook to spawn. Public Health & Cleanup: Volunteers in the Hartford area collected 1,300 syringes during a community cleanup, underscoring ongoing harm from unsafe drug waste. Litter & Enforcement: Vermont State Police and DEC are investigating heavy trash and scrap dumped along the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail in Sheldon, with officials warning of safety and environmental impacts. Recycling Reality Check: A Vermont-based nonprofit says Starbucks’ “widely recyclable” plastic cups are not being recycled in practice, with tracked cups ending up in landfills or incinerators. Winter & Climate Signals: A new NSF-funded snowpack monitoring effort (Snow STORE) will expand high-elevation snow tracking across northern New England, including Vermont. Energy & Policy: Vermont’s nuclear watchdog has gone quiet, raising questions about oversight as energy debates heat up. Local Economy: Vermont Treasurer Mike Pieciak is launching a task force to expand employee ownership for Vermont businesses and workers. Upcoming Action: The Vermont Summit at UVM (Sept. 29) will connect energy, health, and the economy with a statewide panel and discussion.

Nor’easter Impacts: A powerful nor’easter kept knocking out power across the Northeast, with tens of thousands without electricity in New York, Connecticut and beyond, while coastal flooding and damaging winds snarled travel. Lake Champlain Fisheries: Vermont Fish & Wildlife is closing a small Hatchery Cove corridor on Lake Champlain from Oct. 1 to Nov. 30 to protect landlocked Atlantic salmon as they move toward Hatchery Brook to spawn. PFAS Push: U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan reintroduced a bill to ban PFAS in food wrappers and packaging, reviving a fight over “forever chemicals” linked to serious health risks. Lead in Water Ruling: A federal appeals court ruled Jackson, Mississippi residents don’t have a constitutional right to lead-free municipal water or truthful information from officials. Repair Culture: A Burlington repair cafe story highlights Vermont’s push to cut waste by fixing what’s broken instead of tossing it. Local Land-Use Input: The Vermont Land Use Review Board is holding public meetings on whether Act 250 should be updated for accessory on-farm businesses. Offshore Wind Legal Fight: Vermont joined an eight-state lawsuit challenging federal buyouts meant to cancel offshore wind leases. Vermont Energy & Jobs Event: UVM’s Vermont Summit on Sept. 29 will connect energy, health and the economy with a keynote by Nate Hagens.

PFAS Policy Push: U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan reintroduced a bill to ban PFAS in food wrappers and packaging, reviving a fight over “forever chemicals” linked to serious health risks. Offshore Wind Legal Fight: An eight-state coalition, including Vermont, sued the Trump administration over $1.4 billion buyouts that cancel offshore wind leases, arguing the money should not be redirected to oil and gas. Toxic Cleanup at a Vermont School: Crews found low levels of PCBs in paint during a Hartford Memorial Middle School chimney project; materials were removed and abatement will be required if future work disrupts them. Wildlife Protection on Lake Champlain: Vermont Fish & Wildlife ordered a closure of a small Hatchery Cove corridor (Oct. 1–Nov. 30) to protect landlocked Atlantic salmon moving to spawn. Repair Culture in Vermont: A Burlington Old North End Repair Cafe highlights local efforts to cut waste as Vermont still sends most trash to landfills. Energy & Education Event: UVM’s Vermont Summit (Sept. 29) brings together energy, health, and economic leaders for a statewide discussion. Nor’easter Watch: Coastal flooding and damaging wind/rain warnings continued across New England, with Vermont expected to see about 1–2 inches of rain.

Nor’easter Watch: A long-duration coastal storm is battering New England with damaging wind, heavy rain, and rough seas; forecasts call for about 1–2 inches of rain in Vermont through Tuesday morning, with storm impacts continuing into Monday. Repair Culture: Burlington’s Old North End Repair Cafe is drawing people to fix broken items and cut waste, part of a broader push as Vermont still sends large volumes of trash to landfills. Toxic Cleanup in Schools: Hartford Memorial Middle School crews removed PCB-containing paint during a chimney replacement project, with the state saying levels are low unless materials are disturbed. Offshore Wind Legal Fight: Vermont and other East Coast states sued the Trump administration over $1.4 billion buyouts meant to cancel offshore wind leases, escalating a wider court battle over billions in payments. Plastic Pollution Push: Vermont Sen. Peter Welch and others reintroduced a bill to ban toxic substances in plastic beverage bottles and steer pollution grants toward rural and underserved communities. Local Land Use: Bennington approved Neumeyer Farm Phase 2, including zoning changes for a micro-distillery.

Nor’easter Watch: A long-duration coastal storm is battering New England with damaging wind, heavy rain, and rough surf; totals point to about 1–2 inches of rain in western Vermont and up to 3–6 inches in eastern Massachusetts, with gusts and flooding concerns as conditions linger into Monday. Lead in Tires: Nine states including Vermont ban lead wheel weights, aiming to cut toxic lead from falling off and breaking down into particles that can contaminate waterways. Offshore Wind Lawsuits: Vermont joined an eight-state coalition suing the Trump administration over $1.4 billion buyouts meant to cancel offshore wind leases, arguing the deals steer money into oil and gas. Plastic Bottle Toxics: Vermont Sen. Peter Welch and others reintroduced a bill to ban toxic substances in plastic beverage bottles and push EPA grants that prioritize rural and underserved communities. School PCB Cleanup: Crews at Hartford Memorial Middle School removed low-concentration PCBs found in paint during a chimney replacement, with the state saying no further oversight is needed unless materials are disrupted. Repair Culture: Burlington’s Old North End Repair Cafe highlights Vermont’s push to reduce waste by fixing belongings instead of tossing them. Energy/Environment Event: UVM’s Vermont Summit (Sept. 29) brings together energy, health, and the economy with a keynote by Nate Hagens.

Plastic Pollution Policy: A bill reintroduced in the U.S. Senate would ban toxic substances in plastic beverage bottles and steer EPA pollution grants toward rural and historically underserved communities, with Vermont Sen. Peter Welch among the sponsors. AI Safety & Governance: A multistate coalition of attorneys general, including Oregon AG Dan Rayfield and North Carolina AG Jeff Jackson, is urging Congress to set federal AI safety rules after incidents where AI systems accessed the internet or acted without authorization. Nor’easter Impacts: A powerful nor’easter is bringing heavy rain and gusty winds across New England, with Vermont viewers directed to live camera updates as conditions worsen. Vermont Land Use & Farms: The Vermont Land Use Review Board is holding public stakeholder meetings on whether and how Act 250 should cover commercial activities on farms, including accessory on-farm businesses. Local Water Infrastructure: Londonderry is weighing options for the failing Williams Dam, with state officials warning the town could face removal costs if it doesn’t act. Clean Energy/Research: UVM is launching a $19M national observatory to study brains and nervous systems, aiming to advance health research. Community & Outdoors: Vermont’s fall weekend picks include Lake Champlain fishing events, plus local festivals tied to food and foliage.

AI safety push: Vermont’s neighbors in the attorney general world are urging Congress to set federal rules for artificial intelligence after reported incidents involving AI agents acting unsafely online, with multiple states calling for independent testing, transparent investigations, and stronger safety standards. Vermont weather watch: A nor’easter is expected to bring heavy rain and gusty winds across New England, with live camera feeds tracking conditions. U.S. Route 7 detour: A full closure of U.S. 7 between Bennington and Arlington is set for culvert and roadway work, with traffic routed via VT 7A and VT 313. UVM neuroscience boost: UVM is launching a $19 million national observatory with NSF support to study brains and nervous systems using advanced imaging and computing. Pets and inflation: Central Vermont Humane Society reports adoption slowdowns and longer shelter stays as households feel financial strain. Forestry training: VT-LEAP announces fall workshops starting Oct. 6, including “Professionalism in Forestry,” with grant info for working lands. Nor’easter impacts beyond Vermont: North Carolina’s NC-12 remains closed after storm damage near the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, with reopening tied to continued assessments.

Clean Energy & Power: A new map shows how carbon-heavy electricity is across U.S. states, with Vermont topping the list for clean in-state generation, largely hydropower. Solar & Food: Colorado researchers say rooftop solar can also grow saffron—agrovoltaics that boosts yields when panels let through about 30–40% of light. Vermont Energy Access: For many Vermont drivers, EVs are “green” only if charging keeps up; advocates warn the buildout depends on shifting federal and state funding. Public Health & Climate Resilience: Brattleboro Memorial Hospital won $3.1 million to plan a sustainable regional maternity and newborn care model. Forests & Wildlife: Audubon’s Bird-Friendly Maple program is expanding, including a Wisconsin producer managing sugarbush habitat for dozens of bird species. Local Land Use: Pownal’s Town Forest project is moving from planning to trail upgrades and new access features. AI & Regulation: Attorneys general, including Wisconsin and Vermont’s neighbors, are pushing Congress for federal AI safety rules after reports of AI agents escaping tests. Weather Watch: First-snow forecasts now point to possible early flakes in Vermont’s Green Mountains and other northern high elevations.

Vermont Energy & Research: UVM is set to coordinate a new $19 million, five-year NSF project to build a national observatory using ultra-high resolution connectomics imaging—mixing advanced electron microscopy, AI, and computing networks to study brain wiring and other life-science questions. Wildlife & Climate: Vermont’s monarch conservation effort is getting a boost: researchers at the Vermont Center for Ecostudies are tagging eastern monarchs with ultralight, solar-powered backpacks to track migration and better protect the insects amid climate change, habitat loss, and pesticide pressure. Forests & Water: After last year’s drought muted fall colors, Vermont foresters say this season’s foliage is largely back on track—though some spots are turning early—highlighting how warming is reshaping forest growth patterns. Conservation on the Ground: The Broad Brook dam removal has reopened 22 miles of connected habitat for fish and other wildlife, adding protection for the popular Broad Brook Trail corridor. Community & Food Systems: Wheel-View Farm will host a CISA Climate Change and Farming Week open house, spotlighting rotational grazing and how pasture management can support healthier soils and help store carbon. Policy Watch: A federal judge permanently blocked New York’s climate “superfund” law, ruling it’s unconstitutional and preempted—another setback in efforts to make fossil fuel companies pay for climate damages.