In a recent e-newsletter, Senator Bernie Sanders shared a video about a little town in Vermont called Swanton. Swanton has recently made an important change to its water treatment plant that will save area residents from a rate hike.

The treatment plant featured in the video replaced sixteen decades old units with only five solar-powered units, not only saving residents a heap of money, but proving that small towns can make big, innovative differences. According to the video, the solar-powered aerators will pay for themselves in energy savings alone. Good for the environment and the pocketbook makes this doubly good news.

Once again, Vermont proves to be a leader in environmental protection and conservation. The state was the first in the country to ban fracking, including the import and storage of the toxic water used in the fracking process. The message is clear: Vermonters want no part in the dangerous and harmful extraction of natural gas known as fracking.

Driving through scenic Vermont, you’re sure to see plenty of energy-creating windmills and rooftop solar panels too. What you won’t see? In 1968, the state banned billboards. In 1972, legislation banning the use of toss-away beverage containers was passed to help rid roadsides of litter.

Senator Sanders also recently welcomed the news that Vermont Yankee–the state’s only operational nuclear reactor–is shutting down for good by the end of 2014:

The closure will allow Vermont to focus on leading the nation toward safer and more economical sources of sustainable and renewable energy like solar, wind, geothermal and biomass.

Residents of “The Green Mountain State” undoubtedly care about the environment and are eager to prove it.

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