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.

Artificial intelligence is booming. Cloud computing is expanding. And across the country, massive data centers are being proposed and built at a rapid pace - facilities that can consume as much electricity as small cities and require significant water, land, and grid infrastructure.

Vermont doesn’t currently have a large-scale data center proposal on the table. But lawmakers are asking a proactive question: What happens if one comes? And more importantly, are we ready?

Today we’re talking about two different legislative approaches aimed at preparing Vermont for that possibility. One would establish a regulatory framework for siting and reviewing data centers before they arrive. The other would place a temporary pause - a moratorium - to give the state time to study the impacts and craft long-term policy.

At the heart of this debate are some big questions: How do we balance economic opportunity with environmental responsibility? How do large energy users affect grid reliability and ratepayers? And how does data center development align, or clash, with Vermont’s climate and clean energy goals?

We’ll also dig into testimony from utilities like Green Mountain Power, which suggested that bringing a heavy energy load onto the system could potentially lower rates by spreading fixed costs across more customers. Is that a benefit? A risk? Or both?

Joining us to break this down are Senator Rebecca White and Representative Laura Sibilia, who are leading these efforts in the Legislature.

What if one of the most powerful climate solutions isn’t a new technology — but simply using what we already have?

On this episode of Democracy Dispatch, we explore the growing zero-waste movement in Vermont and the local businesses turning reuse into real-world action.

Lucy Higgins, creator of The Loop, is launching a new app that helps families freely exchange children’s clothing — reducing textile waste while saving parents money and building community connections.

Jamie McKenzie, founder of Rise Up Refill in Waterbury, is rethinking everyday consumption through a plastic-free refill store model that cuts packaging waste and challenges the culture of single-use convenience.

And Erich Kruger of Deconstruction Works in Dummerston is tackling waste at an entirely different scale — salvaging materials from buildings through green deconstruction and keeping tons of usable wood and fixtures out of landfills.

From closets to kitchens to construction sites, this conversation looks at how a circular economy can strengthen local communities, reduce emissions, and reshape how we think about consumption. Because if we’re serious about climate, affordability, and resilience, we can’t just talk about what we build next, we also have to rethink what we throw away.