Democracy Dispatch

This week's episode examines how climate change is reshaping the meaning of home in communities facing increasing floods and environmental disruption. It challenges the idea that people can simply relocate, highlighting the deep cultural, historical, and emotional ties that bind communities to place. Grounded in Vermont’s recent flooding, it explores how river towns are grappling with both immediate recovery and long-term uncertain...

With your host away for the week, this week’s episode is an audio recording of the Lieutenant Governor’s forum held two weeks ago in Rutland. This is your chance to hear how the three candidates for the Democratic Primary - Esther Charlestin, Ryan McLaren, and Molly Gray - answered a range of questions on critical issues such as the cost of living, civil rights, and democracy. At the end of the panel, moderated by VPIRG’s executive...

In the late 1800s, Vermont was a very different place. Its hills were largely cleared, its soils exhausted, and its economy struggling under the weight of overused land. In When the Trees Came Back: The Great Battle to Save Vermont’s Forests, retired judge and historian Bob Mello tells the story of how Vermonters confronted that crisis and how the state’s forests slowly returned.

In this episode, we explore what that history can te...

In this episode, we bring you two timely conversations with Vermont lawmakers on the state’s ongoing work to address toxic chemicals, and how those policies are playing out on the ground.

First, we speak with Representative Phil Pouech to discuss the proposed installation of an artificial turf field at Champlain Valley Union High School in Hinesburg. The conversation explores community concerns, environmental tradeoffs, and how Ver...

Vermont was once a leader in wind power, with projects like Deerfield, Kingdom Community Wind, and Georgia Mountain helping supply clean, in-state energy. Today, that progress has largely stalled.

In this episode, Peter Sterling of Renewable Energy Vermont breaks down the rise - and halt - of wind development in the state. We explore the backlash over ridgeline projects, the nation’s strictest sound regulations, and how policy deci...

In this episode, we’re joined by Lauren Hierl, Executive Director of the Vermont Natural Resources Council, to break down one of the most significant overhauls of Vermont’s land use system in decades. We explore the foundations of Act 250, the goals behind Act 181, and what lawmakers are aiming to address with S.325.

Lauren walks us through how these policies are designed to balance housing needs with long-standing conservation pri...

We check in with friend of the podcast, Sen. Anne Watson, Chair of the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee, for a conversation about the policies shaping Vermont’s future.

We dig into Act 181 and what it means for land use reform, housing, and conservation, along with efforts to reduce road salt pollution and protect water quality. We also take a step back to look at the broader work of the committee - from climate and en...

In this episode, we begin with a conversation about nuclear energy and why it’s back on the policy agenda in Vermont. As electricity demand grows and climate deadlines loom, I’m joined by Rep. Kath James (D-Manchester) to explore whether nuclear power is truly “clean,” what the environmental and cost impacts could be, and how Vermont’s experience with Vermont Yankee shapes today’s debate. Then, in a separate segment, we revisit one...

Artificial intelligence is booming. Cloud computing is expanding. And across the country, massive data centers are being proposed and built at a rapid pace - facilities that can consume as much electricity as small cities and require significant water, land, and grid infrastructure.

Vermont doesn’t currently have a large-scale data center proposal on the table. But lawmakers are asking a proactive question: What happens if one come...

What if one of the most powerful climate solutions isn’t a new technology — but simply using what we already have?

On this episode of Democracy Dispatch, we explore the growing zero-waste movement in Vermont and the local businesses turning reuse into real-world action.

Lucy Higgins, creator of The Loop, is launching a new app that helps families freely exchange children’s clothing — reducing textile waste while saving parents mone...

In this conversation, Treasurer Mike Pieciak discusses the pressing affordability issues facing Vermonters, particularly in housing and healthcare. He outlines the initiatives his office is undertaking, including investments in housing, the unclaimed property program, and the Vermont Saves retirement initiative. The conversation also covers innovative programs like Baby Bonds aimed at breaking the cycle of poverty, medical debt rel...

In this conversation, Anika Heilweil discusses her work with the Public Assets Institute and the Fair Share Vermont campaign, focusing on the need for progressive taxation in Vermont. She explains the differences between progressive and regressive taxes, the current fiscal context in Vermont, and the proposed tax policies aimed at increasing revenue from the wealthiest Vermonters. The discussion also addresses public sentiment rega...

For Vermonters who care deeply about the environment and climate, the 2024 election was a setback. And nationally, I think the term ‘setback’ doesn’t do justice to the grim reality. Our national partner, League of Conservation Voters, recently published a memo outlining the costs to Americans after one year of the Trump administration. Despite Trump’s pledge to cut energy prices in half, household electric bills are up 13% and resi...

In this episode of the Democracy Dispatch Podcast, host Justin Marsh discusses the latest legislative actions in Vermont, focusing on environmental policies and the recognition of emerging leaders in the state legislature. They interview Rising Star Award winners, Representatives Chloe Tomlinson and Dara Torre, who share their experiences and insights on public service and climate initiatives. The episode also highlights key legisl...

Congresswoman Becca Balint discusses her experiences in the Vermont Senate, her commitment to environmental stewardship, and the challenges facing democracy and climate progress today. She addresses the implications of the SAVE Act on voter access, critiques anti-environmental legislation, and emphasizes the need for a balanced approach to development and environmental protection. Balint also shares her personal intentions for resi...

In this episode, Justin Marsh and Dan Fingas discuss the outcomes of the 2025 legislative session in Vermont, focusing on climate and environmental legislation. They highlight key wins, such as the ban on PFAS in various products, advancements in clean energy, and new protections for biodiversity. The conversation also covers challenges faced, including attempts to repeal foundational climate laws and the importance of accountabili...