Vermont Business Magazine In a 3-2 vote Thursday night, the Hinesburg Selectboard signed off on an agreement to allow Vermont Gas to continue its pipeline project through the Town of Hinesburg. Vermont Gas now has secured agreements with all landowners along its 41-mile route connecting Chittenden County with Addison County and Middlebury. The Hinesburg deal still needs regulatory approval by the Public Service Board. The agreement includes a permanent and a temporary easement through Geprags Park, for which the town will receive $250,000. The town will receive another $1,000 for plantings and as part of the Warbler Protection Plan and Audubon itself will also receive $1,000 for the Warbler Protection Plan. Vermont Gas has agreed to employ only horizontal directional drilling (versus the typical open trench digging) for the Geprags Park section. The horizontal drilling is less intrusive but also more expensive. The vote by the Selectboard updated the July 22 agreement. The major changes to that agreement is the horizontal drilling language and a single payment of $250,000. The Public Service Board will take up the matter when it meets next Thursday.
VGS Statement
“We want to extend our sincere appreciation to the Town of Hinesburg, the Selectboard and others for their efforts to reach resolution. This agreement brings important value to the town and allows the company to move forward with construction in Geprags. Hinesburg is the last remaining parcel needed to secure 100% access to the project’s right-of-way, and is an important step towards timely completion of the project.
“This agreement provides significant investments including funding for recreational use, habitat protection and land conservation. It expands the benefits of natural gas service to almost 200 new families and businesses in town. The agreement also includes a commitment to use a horizontal directional drill (HDD), rather than traditional construction, to eliminate impacts to the park or its wetlands from construction.
“We are making great progress on construction; pipe has been placed throughout most of the corridor and crews are busy welding and coating. We have also successfully completed seven horizontal drills.
“There is more to do to ensure the project is completed this year and we are committed to meeting those challenges head-on, in an open and direct way. This project is about bringing the choice of a cleaner and more affordable energy to thousands of Vermont families and businesses and we look forward to delivering on our promise.”
Vermont Gas
Vermont Gas Systems is a leader in energy efficiency and innovation, offering a clean, safe, affordable choice for over 50,000 homes, businesses, and institutions in Franklin and Chittenden counties. The company plays an important role in Vermont’s clean energy future by displacing higher-emitting fuels and with its award-winning energy efficiency programs. For more information about Vermont Gas visit www.VermontGas.com, addisonnaturalgas.com