Vermont Conservation Voters

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Core Issues

Vermont Conservation Voters (VCV) works side by side with your elected officials to help pass legislation that will ensure Vermont offers a bright future for our children and grandchildren.

Each year, VCV publishes the Vermont Environmental Common Agenda of legislative priorities. This Agenda represents the priorities of a range of environmental organizations across Vermont working on matters affecting our shared natural resources, the character of our communities, and the health of Vermonters.

Click below to read our 2019 Environmental Common Agenda, and explore the individual issues we’re working on as well.

2019 Environmental Common Agenda

2018 Environmental Common Agenda

2017 Environmental Common Agenda

2016 Environmental Common Agenda

Toxic Chemical Reform

The discovery of toxic PFAS-contaminated drinking water in Bennington County in 2016 highlighted systemic problems. This class of chemicals, PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances – the “Teflon” chemicals), persist in the environment indefinitely, and are correlated with a range of negative health outcomes including high blood pressure, thyroid disease, and kidney and testicular cancers. […]

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Climate Action

At a time when the federal government has launched an assault on our environment, states must take strong action to slow climate change and protect the health of families and communities, as well as the natural world that sustains us. The world’s leading medical societies and hospitals are calling climate change a “global health emergency.” And […]

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Clean Water

Clean water is essential to Vermonters’ health, economy, and way of life. Healthy waters underpin our tourism and recreation economies, are essential to thriving businesses and our favorite paddling, swimming, and fishing holes, provide necessary habitat for birds and wildlife, and provide us with safe drinking water. Sadly, water pollution in Vermont is resulting in pervasive […]

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Healthy Forests & Wildlife

Vermont’s forested landscape is central to our state’s identity and economy. From traditional jobs in the woods, to recreational opportunities for hunters, hikers and anglers, to helping filter and clean our waters, mitigating the effects of climate change, and providing a home for iconic wildlife – healthy forests are an essential asset for Vermont.

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Sustainable Communities

Vermont’s working landscape and the economic vitality of our downtowns and villages set Vermont apart from other states. A variety of regulatory programs and financial incentives – including support for local and regional planning efforts – help us maintain our distinctive character, healthy environment, and vibrant communities. These programs must be protected, and in some instances, strengthened.

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Act 250 Modernization

Historic downtowns, open spaces, and active working lands are quintessentially Vermont. Vermont has been able to maintain many of its picturesque landscapes and historic settlements, in large part thanks to Act 250. Act 250 has guided large-scale development in the state since 1970, with the goals of safeguarding our farms and forests, preventing sprawl, protecting our […]

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Zero Waste

Implementing strategies to reduce the amount of waste we generate, and improving how we manage waste, can help the state break out of use and disposal patterns that are inefficient, expensive, and produce harmful pollution – including greenhouse gas pollution and toxic chemicals that leach into state waters. In 2012, in response to stagnating recycling […]

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