Released - May 14, 2012

Johnson - 4,117 Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) members cast ballots during the annual  election completed on Saturday, May 12, 2012.  Results for 7 ballot items and three director elections were announced on Saturday morning at the 74th annual meeting of the VEC membership which was held at Jay Peak Resort in Jay, Vermont. 

A proposed power purchase and sale agreement with Nextera Energy to procure power from the Seabrook nuclear power plant passed with 3,127 votes in favor and 696 opposed, and six proposed bylaw amendments gained approval of the VEC membership.

March 22, 2012

Johnson, VT-  A Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) line worker sustained a fatal injury on Wednesday afternoon while working on an electric utility line on the Sawmill Road in Essex, Vermont. Bruce Lamb (56), a VEC line worker with more than thirty years of experience, died at the scene of the incident where he was conducting routine maintenance work with another VEC line worker.

VEC CEO David Hallquist reported to the scene immediately upon hearing of the incident and an investigation is underway. “It is critically important for us to determine the factors which led to this tragic outcome. At this point it is too early to draw final conclusions,” said Hallquist. Further information will be reported as details become available.

“The Vermont Electric Cooperative family grieves today for the loss of a beloved co-worker,” continued Hallquist. “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Bruce Lamb.”

###

Released: February 16, 2012 

Johnson - Following a break-in attempt at the Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) pole yard in Richford on Tuesday night, VEC officials observed suspicious activity at the Jay Tap substation in the early morning hours on Thursday. Caught on camera, a video reveals two individuals scoping the perimeter of the substation, although they did not enter the facility which houses high voltage electric equipment.  Both incidents were reported promptly to local law enforcement officials.

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.