Fuel Hits $100 a Barrel

    The rising cost of fuels has people wondering what advice economists will give them next. The price of oil just recently reached $100 a barrel for the first time. At the pump gas is priced at around $3.19 up 27 percent from last year and diesel at $3.62 up 28 percent. Transportation costs have risen almost 9 percent on top of the rising costs of, among other things, education and housing. [Source: Burlington Free Press] 

  VT to Join California Lawsuit Against the EPA

    Vermont will join California in suing the Environmental Protection Agency over the agency's decision to block California's plan to limit greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles. The waiver, California, Vermont, and at least 14 other states were proposing to pass would reduce tailpipe emissions from cars, trucks, and SUVs by 23 percent by 2012 and 30 percent by 2016. The EPA denied the waiver last month - December. Consequently, Vermont's appeal, announced January 2, comes in response to this denial. If the waiver were to pass the result would be a state fuel-efficiency standard of 36.8 mpg by 2016 - 1.8 gallons higher and four years earlier than the demands of the recently federally signed energy bill. [Source: Burlington Free Press, Washington Post, Times Argus]

    Vermont Resident  Slides Ahead in Field of Alternative Transport

    Steve Crafts provides a creative alternative for those willing to put a twist on their morning commute. Alternative transportation is revered in Vermont by many of the state's citizens, but when biking and walking become difficult in the winter is there another alternative? Steve Crafts has found one using the popular Burlington bike path - now covered with snow - to reduce his carbon footprint, "clear his mind", and above all get him to work. [Source: Burlington Free Press]

How to Save $ on Commuting

    With rising gas prices some find carpooling to be the solution. However, many people do not know where to begin. Where do we meet? What are the true benefits? The Upper Valley Rideshare Program, managed by Vermont and New Hampshire departments of transportation, offers some of the answers to these questions as well as a calculator to determine your travel miles impact on air quality. Joan Clinton the rideshare coordinator discusses the benefits of carpooling further. [Source: Seacoast]