Program areas at VPIRG
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP SERVICES As the largest membership-based environmental and consumer advocacy organization in the state, VPIRG provides educational and informational resources on our campaigns and related issues to tens of thousands of members and supporters annually. *** VPIRG returned to Vermonters' doorsteps in 2022, with the return of a full-scale, door-to-door summer canvass operation educating members on, and recruiting them to join, our "Keep Vermont Cool" climate campaign. *** VPIRG continues to serve as the go-to resource for individuals and groups to learn about public interest policy issues and opportunities for making their voices heard on issues at critical times throughout the year.
DEMOCRACY VPIRG actively supports efforts to make our democracy more open and transparent. We seek to ensure that elections are fair and accessible, and we are committed to reducing the undue influence of money in our political process. *** In 2022, VPIRG pushed for legislative approval of a proposed charter change in Burlington to require that Ranked Choice Voting be used in races for City Council moving forward. VPIRG also convened several candidate forums ahead of the August primary elections to help voters learn where candidates stood on critical public interest issues.
CLIMATE AND ENERGY Our Climate & Energy work is driven by the understanding that we must fully decarbonize both Vermont and the nation, and that everyone deserves access to clean and affordable energy and transportation. Breaking down barriers contributing to rural, BIPOC and low-income communities being left behind in this transition is a core part of our efforts. *** In 2022, VPIRG pressed for the enactment of Vermont's first environmental justice law which will improve the state's efforts to address environmental harms and lack of access to environmental benefits that disproportionately affect marginalized communities. VPIRG also pressed for historic investments in climate solutions in the state including $200 million to support things like weatherization, heating and transportation electrification, energy efficiency, electric vehicle infrastructure, and public transportation.
Other programs include Zero Waste, Environmental Health, Consumer Protection, and Health Care Reform. See Schedule O (above) for a complete description of these programs.