http://www.rutlandherald.com/04/Letters/Story/77977.html
January 28, 2004

Power lines not needed

In October of 2003, I became aware that VELCO was planning to build a high-voltage transmission line from West Rutland to South Burlington, as a way to manage the electricity reliability issues in Chittenden County. Since then, I have been educating myself about the impact this project will have on Vermont.

The most important thing I have learned is that we don't need these lines to have safe reliable power. In fact, there are better choices that will provide more reliable, cost-efficient power that is safer and cleaner. These alternatives will have less impact on the land and will keep money and jobs in Vermont.

What are the alternatives to the VELCO proposed project? Much of the testimony presented to the Public Service Board in this case points to better solutions. Energy experts recommend that VELCO and its owner utilities (Cemtral Vermont Public Service, Green Mountain Power and others) pursue distributed resources such as small, local generation and more modest transmission options to deal with the immediate problem while investing in conservation and renewable energy.

Testimony documents that conservation and demand-side management will create 450 jobs a year in Vermont over the next nine years. Efficiency Vermont currently reaches about 10 percentof the customers that could use its techniques to save energy. With increased funding more people could save money on their electric bill while creating jobs that will stay in Vermont. By investing in locally generated renewable energy, we will not be exposed to the risks associated with the high-voltage transmission lines. Vermont's growing wind energy industry and hydroelectric energy produced by small dams along the Connecticut River are a few examples. These efforts could save ratepayers over $600 million dollars in reduced energy cost over the next nine years. Those savings will be reinvested in our state's economy.

VELCO states that Vermont has an emergent energy problem. VELCO insists on immediately improving reliability to a level that has not been achieved in 20 years. If this is an "emergency," we been in it for 20 years. They say that their new upgrade and transmission lines are the least-cost, most beneficial option. Other experts state that VELCO has waited years beyond their professed need date to examine alternatives and that the current sense of urgency the company portrays is greatly overstated. VELCO'S solution will create huge profits for the existing utility companies but is not in the best interest of Vermont and is certainly not the least-cost alternative.

The decision that the Public Service Board makes regarding this project will have a lasting and profound impact on the health, environment and standard of living for every Vermonter. VELCO's assertions about our future energy needs and how to best meet those needs should be seriously questioned. I believe there are better solutions.

KATHLEEN READY

New Haven