Vermont Business Leaders Call Upon Governor to Enact Climate Change Bill VBSR Press Event May 29, 2007

NOTE: For streaming audio of full news conference, edited audio clips by speaker and photos, visit www.vbsr.org/h520.  
 
For immediate release:
May 29, 2007
 
Vermont Business Leaders Call Upon Governor to Enact Energy Bill

Hinesburg, VT – More than 20 of Vermont’s fastest growing businesses came together in Hinesburg Tuesday morning to tell Governor Douglas that if he vetoes the Energy Bill he will not be acting in their best interests in terms of moving Vermont’s economy forward. Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) and its members held a news conference at NRG Systems in Hinesburg Tuesday morning to discuss the urgent need to deal with the energy crisis facing Vermont and to sign a petition calling upon Governor Douglas to enact H.520 into law.

“We’re here today because we think it’s time to get real about the energy crisis that faces Vermont and the money it’s going to take to do something about it.  We think the Governor is selling Vermonters short on energy.  We call on the Governor to sign the Energy Bill.” said Will Patten, Executive Director of VBSR.

CEO’s and representatives from NRG Systems, Inc., Chroma Technology, Green Mt Coffee Roasters, Ben & Jerry’s, Merrill Lynch, Reiss Builders & Renovations and many others were present to support the Energy Bill that will help Vermonters save money on heating bills and encourage the creation of renewable energy sources.

“If the Governor veto’s this bill, he will send a chill through the Vermont business community, especially to those businesses that are adding new jobs and devoted to taking action against climate change,” said Jan Blittersdorf, NRG Systems CEO and president. “Threatening to veto this bill sends the message that energy conservation and renewable energy are not important to our Governor or to his vision for economic development.”
 
VBSR along with 45 Vermont businesses from around the state signed a petition during the conference urging Governor Douglas to pass energy bill H.520 because investment in energy solutions today will return significant public returns for years to come.

“Small businesses are the economic backbone of this state. By passing this bill we are opening up the door to fund and help all those businesses,” said Chuck Reiss, CEO of Reiss Building & Renovation. “Timing is of essence and by 2012 we are going to lose a significant portion of our electrical profile. By not passing this bill it reflects poor leadership for the State of Vermont.”

VBSR is a statewide business trade association of nearly 650 Vermont companies representing over 30,000 employees and 4.5 billion in annual sales. Member companies represent the Vermont way of doing business showing respect for their employees, respect for their environment, and a commitment to an economy built upon multiple bottom lines.


For more information about VBSR, and to listen to the full news conference, visit www.vbsr.org/h520.
 
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