The Recession and Older Americans
WASHINGTON, Oct. 18 – In the midst of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, millions of American seniors have seen a decline in their standard of living and are struggling to survive. Unemployment among older workers doubled since 2007 while household incomes fell and medical costs rose, according to a report released today at a Senate hearing chaired by Sen. Bernie Sanders
Sanders to CFTC: Get Serious About Oil Speculators: Regulators Must Check Skyrocketing Home Heating Prices
WASHINGTON, Oct. 17 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said the Commodity Futures Trading Commission should adopt a rule with real teeth to limit oil speculators, not a watered-down measure set for a vote on Tuesday. The commission is slated to consider a rule that Sanders said “will do little or nothing” to limit traders who artificially drive up gasoline and home heating oil prices. “At a
Senators Raise ‘Serious Concerns’ About State Department Study on Tar Sands Oil Pipeline
WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 – Three key senators today questioned the U.S. State Department about its dealings with a Canadian company seeking U.S. approval to build a crude oil pipeline from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. The State Department is responsible for deciding whether to approve the billion-dollar Keystone XL pipeline project. TransCanada, the company trying to build the pipeline, reportedly was permitted to screen private
Leahy, Sanders, Welch: Washington Electric Cooperative Nets $7.4 M. Loan For Service Improvements, Including ‘Smart-Grid’ Components
THURSDAY, Oct. 13 – Vermont’s Congressional Delegation – Senator Patrick Leahy (D), Senator Bernie Sanders (I) and Representative Peter Welch (D) – Thursday announced a $7.4 million federal loan for electric power grid improvements, including new “smart meter” components, in Washington, Orange and Caledonia Counties. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Electric Program loan to Washington Electric Cooperative of East Montpelier will fund construction of
Sanders Proposes Energy Efficiency Financing on Utility Bills
WASHINGTON, Oct. 13 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) chaired a hearing today on how utilities can help customers use savings on their monthly power bills to finance energy-efficiency improvements at homes and small businesses. “It is a simple and straightforward concept, and it presents a huge opportunity to cut energy bills, create jobs, and slash greenhouse gas emissions and other pollution,” Sanders said at the outset
