As climate change transforms global weather patterns, extreme weather events, especially flooding, will increase in severity. Following the July 2023 flooding event, Vermont suffered catastrophic physical, monetary, and social losses. The state had previously implemented some flood resilience measures following Hurricane Irene in 2011, but…

Expanding nuclear energy production is increasingly considered crucial to attaining a dependable, large-scale, low-carbon energy future. In the last 30 years, however, only one reactor in the U.S. has successfully been licensed, constructed, and made operational. Advanced nuclear technology offers a variety of innovative approaches…

This research brief focuses on the development of affordable housing in the Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Region (UVLSR) of New Hampshire. The region faces an ever-present housing shortage that affects low and moderate-income families, limiting their access to livable housing in both the rental and…

In January 2023, New Hampshire became the first state to implement a voluntary paid family and medical leave program.¹ In addition to expanding paid family and medical leave to state employees and allowing employers to purchase coverage for their employees through the state program, under…

The New Hampshire Circuit Court Navigator Program currently operates with two court employees to provide legal information and assistance to self-represented litigants (SRLs). This report highlights the current effectiveness of the Navigator Program and provides recommendations for how the Program can continue to grow sustainably…

In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the environmental and health concerns posed by Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and various other chemical families commonly found in consumer products. Vermont State S. 25 seeks to address these concerns; if passed, it would…

This study explores the public health and financial impacts of a ban on the retail sale of flavored tobacco products in Vermont, including flavored e-cigarettes except for menthol, which is dependent on the results of Vermont's health equity advisory commission.<a href="#_edn1">[i]</a> In January 2023, this…

Our research explored the concept of Community Choice Aggregation (CCA), which empowers local governments to procure electricity on behalf of their communities. CCA, alternatively termed Municipal Aggregation or Community Power Aggregation (CPA), is an energy supply model founded on the principle of collective demand. By…

Immigrant eligibility for federal public benefits programs is governed by a patchwork of federal laws and regulations. Federal public benefits programs include programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Prior to the passage of the Personal…

Despite its high ranking from the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) as fourth in the nation for accessibility for four-year-olds and second for three-year-olds, Vermont struggles to provide childcare and pre-K programs that meet the needs of its residents. High quality early childhood…