VCE Weekly Update

An Informed Electorate

by Annette Smith (Executive Director of Vermonters for a Clean Environment, Inc.)

When Vermont was targeted two years ago for a billion dollar natural gas power plant and pipeline project, the greatest challenge was to inform the public about the proposal. But before getting into the details of power plants and pipelines, we had to wake up the people who didn't even know it was happening.

What we came to realize is that an astonishing number of Vermonters do not read the newspapers, listen to the radio, or watch local television. Months after serious opposition to the gas project surfaced, resulting in dozens of newspaper articles, the most common response when somebody asked a resident what they thought about the proposal in Rutland was, "What power plant?"

Vermonters for a Clean Environment has evolved over the past year from an organization focused on opposing one specific project to addressing the need to educate the public about the facts to enable people to make informed decisions. We believe that an involved and informed electorate will make the best decisions for Vermont's future.

"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it." --Thomas Paine

Of Note:

Vermont Public Radio will air a Commentary about Vermonters for a Clean Environment by Mary Barrosse Schwartz on Wednesday, July 5 at 7:50 a.m. and 5:55 p.m. on 88.5 FM St. Johnsbury, 88.7 FM Rutland, 89.5 FM Windsor, 94.3 FM and 1370 AM, Bennington and 107.9 FM Burlington.