We check in with friend of the podcast, Sen. Anne Watson, Chair of the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee, for a conversation about the policies shaping Vermont’s future.

We dig into Act 181 and what it means for land use reform, housing, and conservation, along with efforts to reduce road salt pollution and protect water quality. We also take a step back to look at the broader work of the committee - from climate and energy policy to affordability - and what’s ahead as legislation "crosses over" from the House.

It’s a wide-ranging conversation about how Vermont is balancing growth, environmental protection, and the needs of its communities.

It's crossover, which means our annual Halftime Report episode. VCV's Justin Marsh and Dan Fingas discuss the current legislative session in Vermont, and give updates on environmental and democracy policies, clean energy initiatives, and housing legislation. They highlight key bills, including those addressing toxics, clean water, and voter protections, while also looking ahead to future legislative actions to be expected.

In this episode, we begin with a conversation about nuclear energy and why it’s back on the policy agenda in Vermont. As electricity demand grows and climate deadlines loom, I’m joined by Rep. Kath James (D-Manchester) to explore whether nuclear power is truly “clean,” what the environmental and cost impacts could be, and how Vermont’s experience with Vermont Yankee shapes today’s debate. Then, in a separate segment, we revisit one of the podcast’s earliest conversations, a democracy discussion with Susan Clark, reflecting on Vermont’s unique tradition of local democracy and how communities navigate big, complex decisions together.