A New Approach to Planning for the Future of Vermont's Electric System
The Vermont System Planning Committee (VSPC) was created by a Vermont Public Service Board order. The Committee and its associated planning process make up a new approach to addressing reliability issues in Vermont’s electric transmission system. The process is designed to facilitate full, fair and timely consideration of cost-effective non-transmission alternatives to new transmission projects. The Committee increases collaboration among utilities, lengthens the planning horizon to be sure there is time to fully consider all alternatives, increases transparency of the process, and involves the public in decisions about alternatives.
The members of the VSPC include: representatives of each Vermont electric distribution and transmission utility; and three public member representing the interests of residential consumers, commercial and industrial consumers, and environmental protection respectively. In addition three non-voting members participate in the VSPC, including Vermont's Energy Efficiency Utility, the Sustainably Priced Energy Enterprise Development Facilitator , and the Vermont Department of Public Service .
The VSPC structure and planning process was developed through a settlement among most of the parties in Docket 7081, the Public Service Board’s investigation of least-cost integrated resource planning for Vermont Electric Power Company, Inc.
The map below shows the reliability issues that are currently being considered or will be considered by the VSPC. The map links to further description of the problem in each area. This list of projects can also be reached through the System Projects link.
The 2009 Vermont Long-Range Transmission Plan will result in an update of this project information. The website will be updated once the final plan has been submitted to the Public Service Board on July 1, 2009. In the meantime, for more up-to-date information about Vermont reliability issues, please visit VELCO's Transmission Plan Outreach site.