Vermont Public Utility Commission Approves T-Mobile Northeast, LLC Wireless Telecommunications Facility

Strategic Insights -

The Vermont Public Utility Commission has granted a certificate of public good to T-Mobile Northeast, LLC for the installation of wireless telecommunications equipment at 316 Country Club Lane in Barton, Vermont. The decision was made on the basis of the company's application, which was filed on February 6, 2023, and deemed to be a "de minimis modification" to an existing facility under 30 V.S.A. § 248a(b)(2).

Key Takeaways:

  • The Vermont Public Utility Commission has approved the installation of wireless telecommunications equipment at 316 Country Club Lane in Barton, Vermont, by T-Mobile Northeast, LLC.
  • The project involves the removal of three existing panel antennas and the installation of six new panel antennas, each measuring approximately 76" by 11", at a centerline height of 137' on the existing 139' monopole tower.
  • The antennas and equipment will extend 2' above the tower and will extend a maximum of approximately 8' horizontally from the tower, resulting in a net increase in aggregate surface area of the faces of the antennas and equipment to be attached to the tower of approximately 20 square feet.
  • The project does not increase the height or width of the existing structure, nor will it increase the amount of impervious surface at the existing facility site.
  • The project qualifies as "de minimis modifications" to an existing facility pursuant to 30 V.S.A. § 248a(b)(2), as it does not increase the height or width of the facility, and the net increase in aggregate surface area of the faces of the antennas attached to the existing structure will not exceed 75 square feet.
  • The public interest is satisfied by the procedures authorized in 30 V.S.A. § 248a, and the proposed project will promote the general good of the state.
  • T-Mobile Northeast, LLC must comply with all terms and conditions set out in the certificate of public good issued in conjunction with this order.

Statistics:

  • 316 Country Club Lane, Barton, Vermont: the location of the proposed wireless telecommunications facility.
  • 30 V.S.A. § 248a: the Vermont statute governing the approval of telecommunications facilities.
  • 30 V.S.A. § 248a(b)(2): the specific subsection governing "de minimis modifications" to existing telecommunications facilities.
  • 75 square feet: the maximum net increase in aggregate surface area of the faces of the antennas attached to the existing structure.
  • 10 feet: the maximum vertical and horizontal extension of the antennas and equipment from the existing structure.
  • 20 square feet: the net increase in aggregate surface area of the faces of the antennas and equipment to be attached to the tower.

Sources:

  • Vermont Public Utility Commission, Case No. 23-0419-PET, Order Granting Certificate of Public Good (March 16, 2023)
  • 30 V.S.A. § 248a (2023)