Town Meeting day and local elections are coming up. I'm the co-chair of the Board of Civil Authority and, along with the Town Clerk, we run elections. In order to try to make voting more accessible and less onerous (and to get younger people vaguely interested in the process), we have a Kid Table where parents can park their kids while they vote with sample ballots and coloring pages. Here are this year's contests. Past contests included dog vs. cat and pie vs. creemee. #vermont

Town Meeting day and local elections are coming up. I'm the co-chair of the Board of Civil Authority and, along with the Town Clerk, we run elections. In order to try to make voting more accessible and less onerous (and to get younger people vaguely interested in the process), we have a Kid Table where parents can park their kids while they vote with sample ballots and coloring pages. Here are this year's contests. Past contests included dog vs. cat and pie vs. creemee. #vermont

Sunday a team of civics nerds including me worked with the local newspaper (host), the town moderator (moderator), the local music hall (venue) and the local public access channel (streaming) and organized a Selectboard candidate forum with the four people running for two seats. 100 people showed up either in person or online. Additional bonus of a quilting exhibit happening at the venue meant all the photos look cool. It was tedious work getting it all set up but very very worth it. #Vermont

#NewEngland Lawmakers Weigh #PlugInSolar as Europe’s Model Spreads

Legislation in #Maine, #Vermont, #NewHampshire, #Massachusetts and #RhodeIsland would allow small solar panels to plug directly into home outlets, expanding access to clean energy.

By Ryan Krugman
February 18, 2026

"The solar panels that hang from balconies across Europe may soon be coming to New England, helping lower energy costs and ease grid demand.
This could be a breakout year for plug-in solar in the United States, with more than two dozen states considering legislation this session, including Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The small-scale systems are seen as a way to expand access to renewable energy, particularly for renters and apartment dwellers, but first require legislative approval.

" 'For many of my neighbors, especially renters, solar panels can feel like they’re meant for someone else,' said state Sen. Nicole Grohoski, a Democrat and sponsor of Maine’s plug-in solar bill, LD 1730. 'It’s about giving someone in a third-floor apartment the same chance to lower their electricity bill as a homeowner with a south-facing roof.' "

Read more:
https://insideclimatenews.org/news/18022026/new-england-plug-in-solar-legislation/

Archived version:
https://archive.ph/5znfp

#SolarPunkSunday #Solar #RenewablesNow #SolarPower

#NewEngland Lawmakers Weigh #PlugInSolar as Europe’s Model Spreads

Legislation in #Maine, #Vermont, #NewHampshire, #Massachusetts and #RhodeIsland would allow small solar panels to plug directly into home outlets, expanding access to clean energy.

By Ryan Krugman
February 18, 2026

"The solar panels that hang from balconies across Europe may soon be coming to New England, helping lower energy costs and ease grid demand.
This could be a breakout year for plug-in solar in the United States, with more than two dozen states considering legislation this session, including Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The small-scale systems are seen as a way to expand access to renewable energy, particularly for renters and apartment dwellers, but first require legislative approval.

" 'For many of my neighbors, especially renters, solar panels can feel like they’re meant for someone else,' said state Sen. Nicole Grohoski, a Democrat and sponsor of Maine’s plug-in solar bill, LD 1730. 'It’s about giving someone in a third-floor apartment the same chance to lower their electricity bill as a homeowner with a south-facing roof.' "

Read more:
https://insideclimatenews.org/news/18022026/new-england-plug-in-solar-legislation/

Archived version:
https://archive.ph/5znfp

#SolarPunkSunday #Solar #RenewablesNow #SolarPower

I just called Terry Precision Cycling to say congrats and thanks (plaintiffs in today's S Ct case); they sadly aren't planning a responsive merchandising campaign re: having just been called [checks notes] sleaze-bags by the sitting president, but they ARE really hoping to finally be able to sell women's precision bike gear again and they welcome supportive orders. 😊

#Vermont

I just called Terry Precision Cycling to say congrats and thanks (plaintiffs in today's S Ct case); they sadly aren't planning a responsive merchandising campaign re: having just been called [checks notes] sleaze-bags by the sitting president, but they ARE really hoping to finally be able to sell women's precision bike gear again and they welcome supportive orders. 😊

#Vermont