Declarations – East

Don’t Frack Vermont

“I hope other states will follow us.”

—Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin on banning hydraulic fracturing in the state. On May 16, Vermont became the first state in the U.S. to ban fracking. The move is largely symbolic, however, since there is thought to be little natural gas beneath the surface in Vermont.

‘Remarkable Changes’

“I joined AIG in 2010. Even during that short time, there have been remarkable changes at the company. Today, it’s a much more focused company.”

—Peter Hancock, CEO of Chartis, AIG’s P/C division, on changes at his company. He offered his comment at the Deutsche Bank Investor Conference in New York last month.

Force-Placed Insurance

“Lenders usually use forced insurance as an opportunity to collect vast profits by charging outrageously high rates.”

—J. Robert Hunter, insurance director at Consumer Federation of America, on the force-placed homeowners insurance. He was one of the consumer advocates who testified at last month’s public hearings held by N.Y. regulators.

Texting While Driving

“I think more and more you’re seeing it. I see it all the time when I’m off duty.”

—Kevin Geno, police lieutenant for the city of Rutland, Vermont, on texting and driving in small cities, in an interview with Rutland Herald.