Category Archives: Peter Welch

Welch joins Republican to back energy efficiency

Posted on May 24, 2013 by | Comments Off on Welch joins Republican to back energy efficiency

MONTPELIER — Vermont Congressman Peter Welch is joining Republican Rep. David McKinley of West Virginia to back legislation designed to promote more energy efficiency in homes and other buildings.
One of the bills, The Home Owner Managing Energy Savings Act, would provide rebates to homeowners who invest in energy efficiency improvements. Homeowners who demonstrate a 20 percent energy savings will receive a $2,000 rebate. For every 5 percent in additional energy savings, they can receive another $1,000 - up to a total of $8,000 or 50 percent of the project’s cost.
A second measure, the Better Buildings Act, would help get commercial landlords and tenants together to bring about the best energy savings practices to use when out-fitting space for their tenants’ needs.

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Posted in Energy, Environment, Peter Welch

Welch wants EPA to suspend ethanol mandate

Posted on August 28, 2012 by | Leave a comment

COLCHESTER — Vermont Congressman Peter Welch has joined a bipartisan group of House members to ask the federal government to temporarily suspend a mandate that ethanol be included in fuel.
Welch tells Vermont Public Radio the ethanol program is driving up feed prices for farmers at the same time a major drought in the Midwest is slashing the supply of corn. He says feed prices are up 40 percent.
Currently, 10 percent of all transportation fuels in the country must come from corn-based ethanol.
Welch, a Democrat, is in favor of a permanent end to the mandate, but for now, his goal is a temporary suspension.
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson, in Vermont this week, says her agency is gathering information about the proposal.

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Posted in Peter Welch

Welch signs letter requesting ethanol waiver

Posted on August 23, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Rep. Peter Welch has signed a letter requesting the EPA director drop the requirement that ethanol be added to gasoline after a severe drought has impacted the country’s corn crop.

Here’s a release about Welch’s signing the letter: Continue reading →

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Posted in Environment, Farm & Ranch, Peter Welch

Nonprofit wins $2.8 million grant

Posted on August 1, 2012 by | 1 Comment

Vermont’s Congressional delegation issued this press release:

A Vermont nonprofit has won a $2,865,734 U.S. Department of Labor grant provided through the Older Americans Act’s Senior Community Service Employment Program, to help train and place low-income Vermonters – aged 55 and older – in jobs around the state, Vermont’s congressional delegation – Sen. Patrick Leahy, Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Peter Welch – announced today. Continue reading →

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Posted in Bernard Sanders, Patrick Leahy, Peter Welch

Welch pushes for easier access for small business owners

Posted on July 9, 2012 by | Leave a comment

  SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) Vermont’s U.S. Rep. Peter Welch says he wants the federal Small Business Administration to be more flexible when dealing with the smallest businesses hurt by disasters.

Welch, a Democrat, says he saw the need for the new federal disaster relief program after meeting with small business owners affected by Tropical Storm Irene. At a news conference Monday at the Burlington International Airport, he said small businesses often are hampered by paperwork requirements they need to complete to get SBA disaster loans.

As an example, Welch highlighted the challenge faced by Skip Hoblin, owner of Snowfire Auto in Duxbury, whose business records were inaccessible in the storm’s immediate aftermath.

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Posted in Central Vermont, Chittenden County, Montpelier, News, Peter Welch, Vermont News

Welch to announce new Irene program this morning

Posted on July 9, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Rep. Peter Welch will propose a new Tropical Storm Irene relief program at 11 a.m. this morning at the Burlington International Airport.

In meetings with small business owners impacted by Irene, Welch heard one recurring theme about federal disaster relief programs - they did not meet the needs of many small businesses.

Drawing lessons from that feedback, Welch will propose the new program, intended to meet the needs of small businesses affected by natural disasters.

Welch will be joined by Skip Hoblin, the owner of Snowfire Auto in Waterbury, which sustained damage from Irene, and others.

In April, Welch began a series of visits to small businesses to hear how disaster relief programs helped or failed them in the aftermath of Irene.

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Posted in Burlington, Elections, News, Northern Vermont, Peter Welch, Politics, Vermont News

Bill benefits Vermont on transportation, student loans

Posted on July 2, 2012 by | Leave a comment

By JONATHAN WEISMAN
THE NEW YORK TIMES

Congress gave final approval Friday to legislation that combines a two-year transportation measure with bills to extend subsidized student loans and revamp federal flood insurance, wrapping up a bruising session with measures that will be popular on the campaign trail.

The $6.7 billion student loan provision extends the current 3.4 percent interest rate on Stafford loans for one year, financed by changes in pension laws and a restriction on the length of time students could get those loans. The flood insurance program increases premiums and requires people living near levees to have coverage.

Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., hailed the student loan extension Friday, saying it was expected to benefit 19,024 Vermont students with an average savings of $1,020 per borrower. Continue reading →

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Posted in Bernard Sanders, Peter Welch, Politics

Vt. congressional delegation comments on health care decision

Posted on June 28, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Vermont’s congressional delegation has each issued statements related to the Supreme Court’s decision on the Affordable Care Act.

In individual statements, Sen. Patrick Leahy, Sen. Bernard Sanders and Rep. Peter Welch commented on the decision:

Continue reading →

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Posted in Bernard Sanders, Legal, Patrick Leahy, Peter Welch, Politics

Welch hosts workshop on federal grants

Posted on June 12, 2012 by | Leave a comment

MONTPELIER — Congressman Peter Welch is hosting a workshop for Vermont organizations on federal grants.
Welch, a Democrat, says grant funding can be an important resource for many Vermont organizations when public resources are shrinking.
Tuesday’s workshop in the Statehouse is the third grants workshop that Welch has held around state.
The workshop takes place at 11:45 a.m. in room 11 of the Statehouse.

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Posted in Peter Welch