Vermont Public Interest Research Group

It feels like there’s a new headline about microplastics every day. But what exactly are microplastics — and what do they mean for our environment and our health?

Visit stopplasticpollutionvt.org to sign on to our campaign to reduce the quantity and toxicity of plastic in Vermont. #microplastics

VPIRG has always stood for a democracy of, by, and for the people - not corporations. That's why we held a press conference on two bills that target corporate spending on political campaigns, and would render the Citizens United decision functionally irrelevant.
#vtpoli #democracy

The bottle bill redemption system is in desperate need of an update. That’s why VPIRG has spent this biennium creating legislation to improve convenience for consumers and retailers.

Today, we took a step forward: DR-0991 was voted out of the House Committee on Environment in a 9-2 vote.

Exciting news! Senator White will join the Immigration & Federal Overreach Discussion on Monday, February 23 at 6:30PM in Burlington!

Come by to hear about current efforts, action opportunities, and the dangers of federal overreach. Register today: secure.ngpvan.com/o5-ZNHG6skSl...

Parents deserve to know if there are heavy metals in their baby food. That's why VPIRG stood alongside legislators and allies to call on lawmakers to support H.536, a bill that holds baby food manufacturers accountable. Get the inside scoop from Environmental Advocate Anna Seuberling.⁠

#vtpoli

Vermont's Voice Podcast Vermont's Voice is a new weekly podcast where we investigate some of Vermont's most pressing issues by connecting with leaders and community members all around the state.

We're back with a brand new season of Vermont's Voice! Tune in to the first episode to hear from Executive Director Paul Burns about how VPIRG is meeting he moment this session with a deep dive on our legislative priorities. ⁠
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www.vpirg.org/vermonts-voi...

#vtpoli #podcast

Join the Vermont legislators at The Immigration & Federal Overreach Discussion on Monday, February 23 at 6:30 PM in Burlington's Fletcher Free Library!

Learn about current efforts in the State house, plus, time for respectful comments and Q&A. Register here: secure.ngpvan.com/o5-ZNHG6skSl...

Black, neon green, and white graphic that says "Stand with Minnesota. ICE OUT! Vermont, shut it down! Friday, January 30. Burlington City Hall: 3:00 - 4:00 PM, Hardwick Peace Park: 3:00 - 4:00 PM, Richmond Park and Ride: 4:30 - 5:30 PM

Organizers in Minneapolis are calling for a national shutdown today, January 30th to respond to the terror and violence ICE is spreading thorugh our country. Show solidarity by finding your place at one of the protests popping up across Vermont. ⁠

#vtpoli #iceout

We are thrilled to receive bipartisan support in the VT State Senate on S.202, a bill that would make VT the second state in the country to embrace portable solar technology. Send a message to your representative today to get this bill over the finsih line: secure.ngpvan.com/QV0Bqk0rDEC-...
#vtpoli

VPIRG staff posing for a group photo in the snow in front of the Vermont State House.

We’re somehow already several weeks into the 2026 legislative session, and there’s lots happening in the State House. Our team has been hard at work. To read about VPIRG's 2026 legislative priorities, check our website: www.vpirg.org/news/2026-pr... ⁠
#vtpoli #climate #environment #democracy

A photo of Gov Scott is overlaid over a background image of Vermont Yankee's cooling tanks. Text reads, 'Gov Scott wants "To include nuclear energy in the mix again, something Vermonters turned away from in 2014 with the closure - due to high costs - of the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station."

Over a decade ago, VPIRG ran a successful campaign to retire Vermont Yankee as planned. Gov. Scott wants to take us back in time. Nuclear energy wasn't right for Vermont then, and it certainly isn't right for us now. ⁠Full story from Seven Days: www.sevendaysvt.com/news/politic...
#vtpoli #climate

There was a great turnout in the State House on Wednesday for the No Secret Police press conference when we advocated for a slate of bills to strengthen protections for our most vulnerable neighbors alongside Migrant Justice, @vtasylum.bsky.social, @acluvermont.bsky.social, and legislators. #vtpoli

Yesterday, the motion was granted by a federal court in Vermont for @vpirg.bsky.social to join as a defendant in the Justice Department's case against the state for not providing its voter file. This is an important step towards safeguarding Vermonters’ private data. 1/2

VPIRG was proud to stand with our allies at the No Secret Police press conference in the State House yesterday. In front of a packed crowd, advocates and legislators shared a slate of bills to strengthen protections against ICE in VT.⁠
#iceout #vtpoli⁠

Seven elected officials and advocates stand behind a lecturn for a press conference. Overlaid text reads, "On this Martin Luther King Jr. Day, VPIRG is joining other sttate leaders in calling for the passage of a Vermont Voting Rights Act."

"There’s no better way to honor Dr. King than by standing up for the rights of ALL Vermont citizens to participate fully in our elections," Quinn Houston, Democracy Associate, VPIRG.⁠

Join Indivisible Calais, Montpelier, and Mad River Valley for a peaceful protest on Monday, January 19, at 11 AM. Organizers are meeting at Mad River Green, Waitsfield, VT 05673 with energy and signs. Show up to support democracy and condemn fascism. Register here: www.mobilize.us/indivisiblem...

Black, white, and yellow distressed-looking graphic that reads, "ICE OUT FOR GOOD! Join the mass mobilization. Montpelier City Hall. Peaceful candlelight vigil. Sat, January 10 @ 5PM. Please bring candles (battery operated). This is a peaceful vigil to honor Renee Good and to get ICE out of Vermont.

Renee Good was an artist, a poet, a mother, a friend, and so much more before she was killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis on Wednesday. There will be a peaceful candlelight vigil at the Montpelier City Hall @ 5PM on Sat, Jan 10 to honor her. Let's make one thing clear: ICE has no place in VT.⁠

Vermont Public Interest Research Group Files to Intervene in Justice Department Lawsuit Seeking Vermont’s Voter Rolls Justice Department is demanding Vermont’s complete voter files, which include driver’s license numbers, partial Social Security numbers, and other sensitive data. Campaign Legal Center, Brennan Center...

On behalf of the @vpirg.bsky.social, the Brennan Center, @campaignlegal.org, and Wilschek Iarrapino Law Office filed a motion to intervene in a DOJ lawsuit against Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas over the state’s voter file. Learn more: 1/3

The main image depicts State Street in Montpelier amidst the flooding in the summer of 2023. Two people are kayaking in the middle of the street. Overlaid text reads, "VT Climate Superfund Law pushes forward. VPIRG files defense of it in court."

vtdigger.org/2025/12/26/v... "In the wake of the (2023) flooding, we brought the voices and concerns of Vermont residents, farmers, and businesses to policymakers as they considered this legislation,” Burns said. “That’s a big reason why support for the law was so strong."

'Big Ugly Bill' panned at Brattleboro tour stop BRATTLEBORO — The effects of a new federal bill will be devastating in myriad ways, according to experts in health care and climate.

We've traveled the state to discuss the broad range of impacts our communities are facing in the wake of the 'Big Ugly Bill' and identify ways for Vermonters to take action.⁠
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Check out the Brattleboro Reformer's recent article about last week's tour stop:

www.reformer.com/local-news/b...

Holiday themed table spread with various items that release a large quantity of microplastic particles and some safer alternatives. Pictured are stuffed animals, laundry detergent, a Magic Eraser, dish towels, and a frying pan.

Environmental Health Associate, Alexis Drown, behind a podium speaking at a recent press conference holding a Mister Clean Magic Eraser.

Alexis Drown behind the podium speaking holding two stuffed animals.

Alexis Drown holding a printed "Tis the Season for Less Plastic" report while speaking behind the podium

In 2025, human brains have been found to contain an entire plastic spoon's worth of microplastics. Check out our latest guide to avoid products that are notorious for releasing these tiny particles: www.vpirg.org/vpirgs-2025-...

A recent report showed that human brains can hold seven grams of plastic particles, the equivalent of a plastic spoon. Check out our holiday guide to avoid those particles this season: www.vpirg.org/vpirgs-2025-...
#vtpoli #microplastics #plasticpollution

A blue background with a green Vermont state logo atop. At the top, in white letters, reads "A Big Beautiful Tour," beneath in yellow letters, partially underlined, "About a Big Ugly Bill." White text within a yellow box reads "Join us for a series of panels to learn how Vermonters are being impacted by, and can respond to, federal action." In a bulleted list marked by yellow location pins, in white text reads cross out "8/6: Shelburne, 9/24: Barre City, 10/7: Middlebury, 10/22: Essex Junction, 11/5: Bennington, 11/18: Hartford" and not crossed out, "12/11: Brattleboro, 12/17: Virtual." Horizontally along the bottom of the flyer are logos in white for Vermont Conservation Voters (VCV), Hunger Free Vermont (HFVT), Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC), Planned Parenthood Vermont Action Fund (PPVTAF), Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG).

We are very happy to share that we have added two more tour dates to our "Big Beautiful Tour About a Big Ugly Bill" in coalition with our partners at VCV, HFVT, VNRC, and PPVTAF. Join us to know how you can continue to respond to federal action. Register here: vnrc.org/announce-our...

Ultra-processed foods are a threat to public health, scientists say Ultra-processed foods are a key driver of chronic disease around the world, and governments need to act now, according to new papers published by an international team of health researchers.

www.npr.org/2025/11/19/n...

Photo of a shopping cart in a grocery aisle surrounded by food on shelves. Text reads "Ultra-processed foods are a threat to public health, scientists say". The NPR logo accompanies the text.

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) fill our grocery aisles — from salty snacks to sugary drinks to pre-packaged meals — and the science is clear: UPFs threaten public health. We’re pushing for stronger transparency from food manufacturers and for the removal of synthetic dyes from food sold in schools. ⁠

Photo of a sign that reads, "CLIMATE ACTION NOW" partially submerged in muddy flood water

VPIRG and the Environmental Advocacy Clinic at VT Law and Graduate School have filed an amicus brief in defense of Vermont’s landmark Climate Superfund law.

Read more here: www.vermontlaw.edu/news-and-eve...

An image of Paul Burns, Executive Director of VPIRG wearing a "Make Big Oil Pay" t-shirt standing in front of flooding in Montpelier. Overlayed text reads: “We’re grateful to all the Vermonters, including many VPIRG members, who urged the governor reverse course and appeal the Trump administration’s decision to deny disaster relief to those who suffered losses in the July flood.”

Last week, we saw Governor Scott reverse course on his initial decision not to appeal Trump's rejection of FEMA aid for towns impacted by flooding in July. Thank you to the Vermonters who made their voice heard on this issue, and urged Scott to stand up for Vermont.⁠ www.mynbc5.com/article/verm...

Democracy is under attack, but at VPIRG we're stepping up to meet the moment. This is Democracy Vermont - find your place in the movement at democracyvt.org.
#vtpoli #nokings #democracy

When Governor Scott first announced that he was not going to appeal Trump’s rejection of FEMA aid, Vermonters made their voices heard.⁠

Now, Scott is reconsidering his decision not to appeal. Please take a moment to call 802-828-3333 to urge the Governor to appeal the President’s decision.

Ben Edgerly Walsh, Climate and Energy Director of VPIRG is speaking behind a podium at a press conference for Portable Solar. White text overlaying the image reads: "Plug-in solar power could be coming to a balcony near you". The logo for Sierra, the Magazine of the Sierra Club is underneath the text.

“We want more options for those people who have largely been left out of the clean energy transition so far,” said Ben Edgerly Walsh, climate and energy program director at Vermont Public Interest Research Group.
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Sign our petition to stand up for solar in VT secure.everyaction.com/rOCJ0G6480q0...