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Who are we? What is our mission? VCE is fighting for the economic well-being of all Vermonters assuring appropriate use of our resources -- our people, our land, our air and our water. We are united in the belief that Vermont's future lies in conserving its clean, rural, small-town environment. We have joined together to pursue the common goals of encouraging economic development with minimal environmental impacts and preserving Vermont's natural beauty. VCE is committed to providing facts and information so that people can make informed decisions. Vermont has some of the cleanest air in the nation and large quantities of pure water. We support long-term planning for sustainable economic and energy policies for Vermont that will benefit Vermonters and set standards for other states to follow. We encourage your participation. Click here to join VCE. Get Involved Join VCE and support our mission to protect Vermont’s environment and economy. Members receive updates on issues, provide feedback, and identify impending projects. Please include your email if you wish to receive up to date news and action alerts. Name_________________________________________ Address_______________________________________ City_________________State_______ ZIP__________ Phone_________________email___________________ Mail to: VCE, Inc. 789 Baker Brook Road Danby, VT 05739 Donate on-line: VCE: Citizen Action Gets Results Vermonters for a Clean Environment (VCE) was founded in 1999 by citizens in southwestern Vermont who joined together to oppose a billion dollar natural gas power plant and pipeline project proposed for the region. After more than a year of heated opposition, we won. In January, 2000 the privately-owned Swiss mining company, OMYA, Inc. announced intentions to open a new mine in the scenic and remote Danby Four Corners valley, which would also have been impacted by the pipeline route. In Sept. 2004, OMYA sent a letter to the town of Danby selectboard indicating that the privately-owned Swiss corporation has "closed this project." Because OMYA still owns the land, VCE will remain vigilant into the future. VCE is now a statewide organization with members throughout Vermont. We assist Vermonters with research, strategies and guidance through the regulatory process on issues impacting Vermont’s communities. VCE protects the interests of small businesses that are jeopardized by corporate industrial development. Vermonters guide the work of VCE. Here are a few of our current activities: • Water. Threats to our aquifers and watersheds are increasing daily. Vermonters have taken this precious resource for granted. We worked with VNRC, Water 1st, DCRG and other citizens in several Vermont communities to increase protection of groundwater, resulting in the public trust doctrine applied to groundwater. We have expanded our work on water to include surface water, and the interconnection between surface water and groundwater. Water is central to every issue VCE works on. • Chloramine. Municipal water systems, especially those that use surface water, are facing an EPA rule that requires the reduction of chlorine's disinfection byproducts. The cheapest way to comply with the rule is to switch from chlorine as a secondary disinfectant to chloramine. The Champlain Water District in Chittenden County, Vermont (but not Burlington) switched to chloramine in April 2006. Citizens immediately began complaining about skin rashes, burning eyes, digestive problems, and breathing problems. VCE has worked with citizens in Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, California and other states where people are reporting the same problems with their tap water. We are working with developers of new technologies to find solutions to the challenge of drinking water disinfection. • Mining. VCE has provided support to citizens in Clarendon, Chester, Moretown, Rochester, Randolph, East Middlebury, Florence, Bethel, Londonderry and other Vermont communities dealing with resource extraction. • Industrial Chemicals and Mining Waste Disposal. Omya is the largest user of biocides in the state of Vermont. VCE challenged Omya’s discharge permit, which allows the use of significant new biocides without prior review and approval by the state of Vermont. Omya's use of chemicals is now a major issue for state regulators and new mining waste regulations have been developed thanks to VCE. Omya has received full certification from the state for its waste dumping site, has installed a dewatering facility and built a lined landfill on top of the old waste. Omya changed its flotation reagent to a less toxic formulation after a legislatively-mandated study identified serious inadequacies in the scientific work being done at Omya's site in Florence. We are grateful to Cambridge Environmental and GeoSyntec for the expertise they brought to the investigation of Omya's waste handling practices. With GeoSyntec now hired by Omya to do groundwater monitoring, we have much more faith in the scientific work being done at Omya's site in Florence. • Energy. VCE provides support for citizen groups on major energy issues, including Enel, Iberdrola, First Wind, Green Mountain Power and other utility scale wind energy proposals, the deployment of wireless smart meters by CVPS, GMP and BED, VELCO's tower build-out, and Entergy's Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant. • Agriculture. VCE received reports from citizens living near farms and orchards where pesticides are used. VCE’s investigation concluded that the Vermont Department (now Agency) of Agriculture has failed to enforce regulations intended to protect the public’s health and the environment. VCE played an important role in defeating Vermont’s only corporate animal feedlot, Vermont Egg Farms, Inc., from expanding to more than double its current size, and assisted residents of Charlotte in stopping the development of a factory farm in their beautiful valley. VCE worked with neighbors of the South Woodstock water buffalo farm who were successful in creating a community-based cheese-making operation instead of the lamb feedlot that was proposed for the site. VCE assists citizens in addressing the use of agricultural chemicals where they impact human health. • Environmental Enforcement. Vermonters concerned about the degradation of our environment need to speak up and to get involved. Vermont citizens are protecting our environment one neighborhood at a time. • Land use and Permitting. VCE advises citizens about effective participation in regulatory proceedings, including local zoning, Act 250, and Public Service Board cases. We have participated in permit reform discusssions every time they come up, and are now the only environmental organization with a historical perspective on the various attempts to redesign the permitting processes. Click here to join VCE. updated 10/31/11 |
