Vermont Business Magazine In a filing with the Public Service Board today, Vermont Gas has submitted a rate decrease for its customers of 3.3 percent, set to take effect later this year. Vermont Gas has already lowered rates by more than 20 percent since January 1, 2012, saving the average family almost $300 per year. Today’s rate decrease filing is subject to Public Service Board approval. The company will make the case for lower rates before the Board later this year.
“Lower energy costs is great news for our existing customers in Chittenden and Franklin Counties and for our new customers in Addison County,” said Don Rendall, President and CEO of Vermont Gas. “We made a commitment to keep rates low and stable for customers and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
Vermont Gas recently had its Certificate of Public Good re-affirmed for its Addison County pipeline extension by the Public Service Board after it was challenged by several opponents. Opponents have yet to take their case to the Vermont Supreme Court, which would be the final arbiter to whether the CPG should be reopened and perhaps ultimately denied. Opponents have come from effected landowners, environmentalists and existing ratepayers, concerned rates for them could go up because of the pipeline. The estimated cost of the pipeline has risen approximately 78 percent from $86 million to $153.6 million since it first received its CPG in 2013. Vermont Gas has promised to cap the ratepayer impact to $134 million.
“Vermont Gas has been a reliable and cost efficient resource for us, both professionally and personally, making our lives easier all the way around.In our business, it’s nice to know that we are getting a reliable, efficient product and service all while saving money. By saving money, we are able to pass these costs to our customers by expanding services which are greatly needed,” said Corey Duteau, of Freedom Pharmacy in Winooski. “Personally, my wife and I couldn’t be happier with Vermont Gas.I sleep much easier at night knowing that my family and I are comfortable.”
In addition to lowering rates, Vermont Gas said it is increasing investments in energy efficiency services to help customers use less energy and further reduce their energy costs.
Mousa and Kris Ishaq, of Essex, are retired and have enjoyed the savings they have seen since they converted to natural gas eight years ago. The couple has also recently taken advantage of the company’s energy efficiency programs to further reduce costs.
“We are retired and very interested in energy efficiency before and after our retirement and are enjoying the reliability that comes with having natural gas,” said Ishaq. “We have realized significant savingswhen we switched from oil to gas. We are certain that we will continue to lessen our carbon footprint and save more money by implementing Vermont Gas’ recent energy efficiency recommendations."
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Vermont Gas gets OK again from PSB for Addison County pipeline
Vermont Gas
Vermont Gas Systems, based in south Burlington, serves over 50,000 homes, businesses, and institutions in Franklin and Chittenden counties. For more information about Vermont Gas visit www.VermontGas.com.