Umair Gaines
Vermont has 17 electric distribution companies, which include investor-owned utilities, municipal electric departments, and member-owned rural electric cooperatives. Vermont Electric Coop (VEC) is one such cooperative that provides safe, affordable, and reliable energy services to its members. If you are looking to change your electric company in Vermont, you will need to review the specific processes and requirements of the company you are switching to. This may include granting an easement, submitting an application, and paying associated fees.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vermont's grid operator | Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO) |
| Number of local distribution utilities in Vermont | 17 |
| New England regional grid operator | New England regional grid |
| Vermont's electric utilities | 3 types: investor-owned utilities, municipal electric departments, and member-owned rural electric cooperatives |
| Number of Vermont's investor-owned utilities | 1 |
| Name of Vermont's large investor-owned utility | Green Mountain Power |
| Number of customers of Green Mountain Power | More than 260,000 |
| Number of member-owned rural electric cooperatives in Vermont | 2 |
| Name of a member-owned electric cooperative in Vermont | Vermont Electric Cooperative |
| Number of members of Vermont Electric Cooperative | 33,000-34,000 |
| Number of communities served by Vermont Electric Cooperative | 75 |
| Contact number for Vermont Electric Cooperative | 802-635-2331 or 800-832-2667 |
| Contact number for Vermont Electric Power Company | 802-773-9161 |
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What You'll Learn
Vermont Electric Coop (VEC)
Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) is a member-owned electric distribution utility that provides safe, affordable, and reliable energy services to over 33,000 members in 75 communities.
VEC offers its members various services, including the ability to manage their accounts, explore their usage, and set notifications through SmartHub. Members can also report and track service outages and estimated restoration times. Additionally, VEC provides easy bill pay with no registration required.
VEC is committed to providing affordable energy to its members, and this is reflected in their rates and pricing. They also offer grants to local food shelves across northern Vermont through the Vermont Electric Co-op's Community Fund.
If you are considering transferring or reconnecting your existing service, you can contact VEC's Member Services by calling 802-635-2331 or 800-832-2667. For new construction or expansion projects, an application must be submitted along with an engineering fee of $250.00 before a site visit can be scheduled. It is important to note that VEC does not provide conduit and trenching, and members or their electricians must provide and install all underground secondary (transformer to building) wire and conduit.
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Vermont's grid operator
VELCO's core work is to manage the safe, reliable, and cost-effective transmission of electric power throughout Vermont as part of the integrated New England regional network. They are committed to meeting high national and regional standards of reliability. VELCO constantly seeks innovative solutions and technologies to improve their effectiveness and become a more trusted partner in grid solutions.
VELCO's 2024 Vermont Long-Range Transmission Plan is a comprehensive assessment of the state's future electricity needs and potential grid upgrades to maintain reliability. The plan identifies areas where transmission upgrades or non-transmission alternatives may be necessary to ensure a reliable and resilient grid for the next 20 years, especially with increasing demand and clean energy adoption.
In addition to its focus on grid reliability and resilience, VELCO is also committed to sustainability. The company's ESG Report outlines its efforts to create a sustainable Vermont through its people, assets, relationships, and operating model. VELCO approaches its ESG work with the same spirit of innovation and rigor that drives its system reliability initiatives.
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Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO)
VELCO's system includes 740 miles of transmission lines, 55 substations, switching stations, and terminal facilities, 13,000 acres of rights-of-way, a statewide emergency service radio system, and a 1,600-mile fiber optic network that monitors and controls the electric system and helps deliver broadband services to Vermonters. As Vermont's grid operator, VELCO works with the state's local distribution utilities and the New England regional grid operator to ensure the reliable transmission of electricity throughout the state, even during times of peak demand, severe weather, and unforeseen events.
VELCO's vision is to create a sustainable Vermont through its people, assets, relationships, and operating model. The company constantly seeks innovative solutions and technologies to enhance its effectiveness as a trusted partner in grid solutions. The 2024 Vermont Long-Range Transmission Plan is a comprehensive assessment of the state's future electricity needs and potential grid upgrades to maintain reliability in the face of increasing demand and clean energy adoption. VELCO has been recognized as a Great Place to Work, reflecting its dynamic and innovative work environment that values employees' skills and ideas.
VELCO also prioritizes community engagement and support. On International Women's Day, the company celebrated the female leaders and innovators who are advancing its sustainability vision. Additionally, VELCO received a Seed Grant from the UVM Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships to support its System Optimization and LiDAR for Vermont Energy Resilience (SOLVER) project, demonstrating its commitment to innovation and partnerships for a more sustainable future.
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Vermont's 17 electric distribution companies
Vermont has 17 electric distribution companies, also known as Local Distribution Utilities (LDUs), that work with the Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO) and the New England regional grid operator to ensure a reliable supply of electricity to Vermonters.
VELCO, as Vermont's grid operator, manages the safe, reliable, and cost-effective transmission of electrical energy throughout the state. It works with the LDUs to meet high national and regional standards of reliability, ensuring that electricity is always available, even during peak demand, severe weather, or unforeseen events.
One of these LDUs is the Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC or Vermont Electric Coop), a member-owned electric distribution utility that provides safe, affordable, and reliable energy services to over 33,000-34,000 members in 75 communities. VEC offers easy bill pay and account management through SmartHub, where members can also track service outages and estimated restoration times.
To change or get a new electric service connection with VEC, you can call Member Services at 802-635-2331 or 800-832-2667. For new connections, an application must be submitted along with an engineering fee of $250.00. VEC may also require an easement, a legal document granting them permission to access your property to construct and maintain the necessary equipment.
It is important to note that each utility company in Vermont may have its own process for changing or establishing new service, so be sure to contact your desired LDU directly for specific instructions.
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Vermont's Long-Range Transmission Plan
The primary objective of this plan is to identify and address potential reliability issues within the transmission system, ensuring a consistent supply of electricity to Vermont's communities. Electric transmission lines serve as the highways for electricity, delivering it from generation sources to the state's 17 or 18 local distribution utilities, which then cater to residential, commercial, and industrial consumers.
The 2024 update to the Long-Range Transmission Plan underscores the importance of a reliable and resilient grid over the next 20 years. It highlights areas where transmission upgrades or non-transmission alternatives may be necessary to meet the state's evolving energy demands. This includes exploring alternative solutions, such as grid-enhancing technologies, energy efficiency initiatives, storage solutions, and demand response measures, to ensure that Vermont's energy needs are met sustainably and affordably.
VELCO, as the grid operator, collaborates closely with the local distribution utilities and the New England regional grid operator to uphold high standards of reliability. This collaborative effort ensures that electricity is consistently available, even during periods of peak demand, severe weather conditions, or unforeseen circumstances. The plan also considers the impact of federal policies, such as tariffs on Canadian energy imports, and seeks to maintain a sustainable and cost-effective energy supply for Vermonters.
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Frequently asked questions
Vermont has 17 electric distribution companies, ranging from small municipal electric departments to large investor-owned utilities. Vermont's electric utilities are regulated monopolies and operate under a Certificate of Public Good (CPG) granted by the Vermont Public Utility Commission. The Public Utility Commission maintains a list of electric companies authorized to operate in Vermont, with contact information. You can contact the company you want to switch to and follow their instructions for setting up service.
Vermont Electric Cooperative is a member-owned electric distribution utility that provides safe, affordable, and reliable energy services to over 33,000 members in 75 communities. They offer services such as tracking service outages and estimated restoration times, and easy bill pay with no registration required.
Prior to scheduling a site visit, an application must be submitted along with an engineering fee of $250. After the application and fee are submitted, a VEC Field Engineer will meet with you to confirm the location of any utility lines on your property and/or your neighbour's property. This information will be used to ensure the accuracy of the legal easement and your property records and to help in discussions with your neighbours.
