In a statement released Tuesday, Vermont Gas said it has reached agreements with 75 percent of the 220 landowners along the Phase 1 Addison Rutland Natural Gas Project corridor permitted by state regulators. An additional 20 percent of landowners are in negotiations that continue to progress. And while Vermont Gas has not reached agreements with 5 percent of remaining landowners, the company said it is committed to respectful discussions to reach a fair outcome.
Since introducing the opportunity for neutral, third party mediation in August, five landowners have elected that option. All five landowners have reached amicable agreements with Vermont Gas as a result. Another nine landowners have signed up for the next round of mediation.
“Vermont Gas is fully committed to reaching fair and equitable agreements with every landowner. Already, in the vast majority of discussions, good faith negotiations have resulted in amicable agreements,” said Jim Sinclair, vice president at Vermont Gas. “Our goal is to reach a positive, respectful agreement with every land owner.”
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Vermont Gas received a Certificate of Public Good (CPG) from the Vermont Public Service Board (PSB) to construct a 41-mile natural gas system from Colchester to Middlebury, which Vermont Gas said will potentially cut energy bills in half and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 25 percent for 4,000 residents and businesses in Addison County. Ultimately, the project intends to provide natural gas service to over 16,500 homeowners and companies in Addison and Rutland counties.
Source: Vermont gas. 11.11.2014 www.AddisonRutlandNaturalGas.com