Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Gas Systems today announced that it has selected Michels Corporation, a Wisconsin-based family-owned company, for mainline construction on its Addison Rutland Natural Gas Project (ARNGP). Michels was founded in 1959 and has been in the Michels’ family for more than 50 years. Vermont Gas said it selected Michels Corporation for its expertise and the culture it brings to this important expansion project.
Michels replaces Over & Under Piping Contractors of Auburn, NY, whose contract was terminated last November. In a story in the Burlington Free Press today (Dueling lawsuits over pipeline project), Vermont Gas has sued Over & Under, and it has counter-sued for $11.2 million, over payment for work completed. According to the Free Press, Vermont Gas claims that it too much for work completed, while Over & Under maintains it should have been paid more than it ultimately got, including for machinery it bought that it said was needed for the project.
“This is an exciting new partnership for this project. This project will bring clean, affordable energy to many more Vermonters, and we are pleased to welcome Michels Corporation as part of the talented and dedicated team we have working on it,” said Don Rendall, President and CEO of Vermont Gas. “We chose Michels both for its experience and for its commitment to safety and environmental stewardship. ”
“Michels brings over 50 years of experience in utility construction and we look forward to teaming with Vermont Gas to bring a clean energy choice to more Vermonters,” said Matt Westphal, Vice-President of Pipeline Division Operations for Michels Corporation.
Addison County resident Harvey Smith welcomed the announcement. “As stewards of the land, farmers appreciate how important it is to many Vermonters to move our energy policy forward. Natural gas is a responsible step toward the clean, affordable future we are all working toward.”
Construction will occur in Colchester, Essex, and Williston this summer. The project will be completed in late 2016 pending further review by the Public Service Board. The PSB has taken up the case again, for which it has already issued a Certificate of Public Good, because of two cost-estimate increases announced last year. A ruling on whether it will re-open the CPG is expected this summer. The PSB could let the pipeline construction proceed as is, impose new conditions, or terminate the CPG.
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Sources: VGS. Free Press. Vermont Business Magazine. For more information about the ARNGP visit: www.vermontgas.comand to learn more about Michels Corporation visit:https://www.michels.us/.