Burlington, Vermont, now 100 percent renewable
BURLINGTON, Vt. – Vermont’s largest city has a new success to add to its list of socially conscious achievements: 100 percent of its electricity now comes from renewable sources, such as wind, water and biomass.
With little fanfare, the Burlington Electric Department crossed the threshold this month with the purchase of the 7.4-megawatt Winooski 1 hydroelectric project on the Winooski River at the city’s edge.
When it did, Burlington joined the Washington Electric Co-operative, which has about 11,000 customers across central and northern Vermont, which reached 100 percent earlier this year.
It’s part of a broader movement that includes a statewide goal of getting 90 percent of Vermont’s energy from renewable resources by 2050, including electricity, heating and transportation.
Nudist resort accused of stealing water
LOS GATOS, Calif. – Officials in Northern California are accusing a nudist resort of stealing water during the state’s historic drought.
The San Jose Mercury News reported that rangers with the Midpeninsula Open Space District descended on Lupin Lodge near Los Gatos on Thursday, saying the clothing-optional resort was illegally taking water from a nearby upstream waterfall.
The resort’s owners say they are entitled to use the waterfall, which they need to keep their water tank full in case of a fire and to top off their pool for both skinny-dipping and as a backup water source for a fire.
No arrests were made or citations issued Thursday, but rangers dismantled a hose leading from the resort to the waterfall.
Associated Press
