Program areas at Vermont Public Interest Research and Education Fund
Climate and energy:vermonters know that we have a moral responsibility to protect our kids and grandkids from the environmental, economic, and social havoc that fossil fuels are wreaking. Vpiref agrees with the majority of vermonters who want to cut our dependence on fossil fuels and take control of our energy future using clean, renewable power. Vpiref conducts independent Research, Public Education, and grassroots outreach aimed at reducing our continued reliance on fossil fuels and other dirty energy, and instead dramatically increase the use of clean, local, renewable energy that can power Vermont's future. Continued on schedule oin 2023, vpiref ran a campaign called make big oil pay which raised awareness of major fossil companies' contributions to climate change, the local costs of that change, and the fact that those companies have avoided financial accountability so far. The campaign connected with vermonters through Public events, door-to-door canvassing, online marketing, and broadcast media. Vpiref also worked to educate vermonters on the need to transition more quickly to 100% renewable electricity, and to get more renewable energy generation built in Vermont.
Environmental health:vpiref works to protect the Public health and our environment from the hidden dangers of exposure to toxic chemicals in our everyday lives.
Zero waste:vpiref works to advance policies and solutions that hold manufacturers accountable for the products they put into our environment and move us closer to zero waste in Vermont.
Democracy:vpiref actively supports efforts to make our democracy more open and transparent. We seek to ensure that elections are fair and accessible and are committed to reducing the undue influence of money in our political process.
Consumer protection:vpiref serves as a watchdog, protecting the Public Interest when corporations attempt to put profits over people, and ensuring that the policies and laws aimed at protecting the Public Interest are, in fact, enforced.
Other miscellaneous programs