Vermont: The Mecca for Fossil Fuel Divestment

If you like self-styled people who don’t ask permission to do what they think is right, you have to live in awe of the state of Vermont. The presence of Bernie Sanders in the U.S. senate (pictured) is proof enough, but each week something else incredible happens up there.

Goddard College in Plainfield (see pic of the “Clockhouse” below) just became the third in the state to complete its divestment from fossil fuel company investments.

Interim President Robert Kenny says the college’s recent efforts to reduce its carbon footprint have led to a number of energy-saving activities, including a proposal to convert its 20, oil-burning heating furnaces to a locally sourced wood chip plant. He said the divestment is a logical extension of those efforts.

I really don’t know what makes Vermont such a magnet for nonconformity, but whatever it is, it’s more than OK with me.