Welcome to the Official Website for Vermont Governor Jim Douglas!

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RECENT NEWS

Governor Douglas’s Statement on President Obama’s Emissions Control Policy

Montpelier, VT – Governor Jim Douglas today expressed his gratitude for the decisive action on the part of President Obama instructing EPA to reconsider whether to grant California a waiver to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from new motor vehicles. Until EPA grants a waiver, California’s greenhouse gas emission standards are not enforceable by Vermont and the other states that have adopted them.

“Vermont has been out front on this and other important environmental issues,” said Governor Douglas. “President Obama has seized an extraordinary opportunity to take concrete and speedy action on his pledge to address climate change,” the Governor said.

As the first state to adopt California’s greenhouse gas emission standards and to successfully defend these standards against legal challenges by the automobile industry in federal court, Vermont has been a leader among the more than a dozen states that have adopted these standards. The authority to enforce these standards is critical in the state’s desire to reduce emissions associated with climate change because almost 45 percent of Vermont’s greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation.

"As a rural state, Vermonters have traditionally worked the land for their livelihood. Tourism, farming, logging and maple sugaring are major economic drivers. Climate change has been a top priority for my administration as we continue to protect our working landscape and promote clean, renewable energy opportunities,” said Governor Douglas.

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Douglas Administration Convenes Economic Response Team

Public-Private Partnership Will Speed Aid to Vermont Businesses

Montpelier, VT. – The administration of Governor Jim Douglas has called the first meeting of a group of officials from state government, business, and non-government organizations that will provide a rapid response to Vermont companies facing difficulties.

The Economic Response Team, a collaborative effort of the state’s economic development partners proposed by the Governor as part of his Inaugural Address, will meet Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at the Pavilion Building in Montpelier from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

“As we did with the Fuel and Food Partnership, the Economic Response Team will bring together the private and public sector to help Vermont companies at risk due to the current economic downturn,” Governor Douglas said. “By cutting through red tape and bringing all of our combined resources to bear, we can help preserve and even grow jobs.”

A small team of representatives from government agencies such as Departments of Economic Development and Labor and the General Assembly, private businesses; and groups like the Regional Development Corporations; the Vermont Economic Development Authority; the Vermont Economic Progress Council; the USDA Rural Development Office and the Vermont Small Business Development Center will comprise the ERT. Read More

FEMA Approves Federal Disaster Declaration for Vermont

Declaration will Aid Communities Impacted by December Ice Storm

Montpelier, VT - President George Bush has approved Governor Jim Douglas’ request for a federal disaster declaration to aid communities in Bennington and Windham Counties as they recover from last month’s ice storm. The storm of December 11-12 saw massive power outages due to a heavy coating of ice on trees and power lines throughout southern Vermont.

“The initial assessment identified over $1-million in damages, mostly to small towns and villages,” Governor Douglas said. “This declaration will provide much needed relief to those communities that were hardest hit and allow them to clean-up and rebuild.”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency declaration will help towns and cities in Bennington and Windham Counties. Funds will go to communities to remove debris that has littered the area as thousands of trees and power lines were downed in the storm. The declaration will also allow towns to repair roads and other municipal electric utilities. Much of this work has already been done and communities will be able to apply for funds to cover up to 75% of the cost already incurred including overtime paid to municipal employees. Read More

Governor Douglas Announces Vermont Federal Recovery Office

Project team to act as single point of contact, provide coordination and expertise.

Montpelier, VT – Today Governor Jim Douglas announced the creation of the Vermont Federal Recovery Office to act as a single point of contact and coordinate recovery projects within the State of Vermont. The Office will be located within the Agency of Administration.

“My Administration has been working on coordinating projects that could potentially qualify for anticipated federal recovery funds,” said Governor Douglas. “This office is the next step in that process, and will provide high-level coordination and ground-level expertise to expedite projects when federal funds are received,” he said.

The office will be directed by Jim Bush, the current Assistant Director of Program Development at the Agency of Transportation. Bush is a registered professional engineer in and has worked for the State of Vermont since 2004 following 35 years of service at the Federal Highway Administration. Read More

Governor Douglas to Apply for Disaster Declaration from December 11th Ice Storm

Montpelier, VT – Today Governor Douglas announced that the initial damage assessment for the December 11th ice storm in southern Vermont has exceeded the required federal threshold of $1 million, allowing the Governor to apply for a Presidential Disaster Declaration.

“Our most recent ice storm was a disaster on many levels, impacting our infrastructure and commerce,” said Governor Douglas. “The professionalism of our first responders and utility workers kept Vermonters safe, but much work remains to return to normalcy. I am pleased that FEMA promptly assessed our situation and determined we met the standard for federal assistance,” he said.

The damage assessment was conducted on December 29-30, 2008, by joint Federal, State, and local officials in Windham and Bennington counties. The estimated cost of damages and debris removal to public infrastructures exceeded $1 million, thus meeting the state. In accordance with the provisions of Section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5121-5206 (Stafford Act), and implemented by 44 CFR § 206.36, the Governor will now prepare a request to President George W. Bush for disaster relief. Read More

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