December 12, 2011

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Green Mountain Section presented Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) with the Service of the Year award during their annual meeting banquet dinner held on December 2 at the Inn at Essex. One of nine awards presented during the evening, recognized VEC for its role in driving improvements to the state of the art of smart grid technology and services.

November 21, 2011

Johnson – Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) announced that the Co-op will not seek a rate increase in January 2012. Favorable conditions including higher revenues due to increased electricity sales, in combination with reductions of several key operating expenses, are helping VEC to stabilize rates. While the annual demand for power is projected to increase by 2.7%, the cost for VEC to purchase power has decreased. Additionally, reduced labor costs due to technology improvements from automated meters and lower interest costs have helped to control operating expenses.

Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) introduced a voluntary renewable pricing program today which provides a convenient way for VEC members to support green energy projects in its northern Vermont service territory. VEC’s Green Team program gives VEC members a way to promote small scale energy development including solar, wind, and hydropower projects by making voluntary, fixed monthly contributions when paying their electric bills.

VEC is seeking applications from qualifying candidates for a vacant position on its twelve member board of directors. The Eastern Zone Director at Large position became vacant upon the death in July of long-time director, Bert Lague. The board of directors will appoint a VEC member to serve in this role until a successor is elected at VEC’s next annual meeting in May or special election.

August 31, 2011

Johnson, VT- At 11:45 PM on Tuesday Vermont Electric Cooperative’s (VEC) operations center announced that the final restoration for VEC power outages caused by tropical storm Irene had been completed. During the course of this major outage event, about 10,000 VEC members experienced power outages of varying lengths. 

August 29, 2011 

Johnson, VT- Early Monday morning about 200 utility workers fanned out across Vermont Electric Cooperative’s (VEC) service territory to repair damage that left thousands of VEC members without power. During the course of this outage event caused by Tropical Storm Irene, over 8,000 VEC accounts lost power.

August 28, 2011

Johnson, VT- By 10:00 p.m. about 8,000 Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) members had felt the effects of strong winds and heavy rains caused by Hurricane Irene which resulted in widespread power outages. Restoration efforts took place throughout the day and electricity was back on for more than half of those affected by nightfall. Utility crews will continue work early Monday morning to repair the VEC system and restore electricity to the approximately 4,400 members still without power.

For Immediate Release: August 27, 2011

Utilities: Most extensive collaborative preparation in memory

Hundreds of out-of-state workers on site or arriving tonight

Hundreds of outside contract utility and tree crews from as far away as Illinois, Missouri, Texas and Canada have arrived in Vermont or will be here tonight to assist with restoration efforts as Hurricane Irene moves up the coast to New England.

As of 1:30 p.m. more than 1,000 Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) members were without power and that number is expected to grow as Irene moves northward. Heavy rains and strong winds are causing trees to uproot and fall on power lines. The effects of this powerful storm system are expected to be felt into Monday morning.

A joint press release from Vermont electric utilities

Utilities are preparing for Hurricane Irene, and are advising customers in Vermont of the potential for damaging high winds and heavy rain that could cause extensive damage and power outages Sunday. Customers across the state could see widespread power outages beginning Sunday afternoon, though the exact track of the storm is still uncertain. While all utilities are diligently preparing for the storm, customers should prepare for the possibility of being without power for several days, possibly even more, should the storm take a track for the worse.