As electricity demand rises and climate deadlines tighten, nuclear power is back in policy discussions, led by Governor Scott and the Republican Party that not only calls for adding nuclear to our renewable energy standard, but also clears the way for Vermont to store nuclear waste from our state and others. Supporters of nuclear argue that it provides steady, carbon-free electricity. Critics point to high cost, radioactive waste, safety concerns, and Vermont’s complicated history with Vermont Yankee, our decommissioned nuclear plant in Vernon.

Vermont doesn’t currently have a large-scale data center proposal on the table. But lawmakers are asking a proactive question: What happens if one comes? And more importantly, does Vermont have the protections we need to ensure our environment and our energy rates aren’t affected?

Our economy is built on extraction and disposal. We mine it, make it, ship it, use it, and then we throw it away. From fast fashion to single-use plastics to entire buildings torn down and sent to the landfill, waste isn’t just a trash problem. It’s a climate problem and a community problem.

You don’t have to be paying close attention to notice that our state treasurer, Mike Pieciak, is seemingly everywhere. Whether you’re scrolling on socials, at a community event, watching the news, or cleaning out your inbox - Treasurer Pieciak is omnipresent. Just...