Vermont Public Utility Commission Approves T-Mobile's Certificate of Public Good for Wireless Telecommunications Facility in Bennington, Vermont

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The Vermont Public Utility Commission has issued an order granting T-Mobile Northeast, LLC a certificate of public good for the installation of wireless telecommunications equipment at 160 Benmont Avenue in Bennington, Vermont. The commission found that the project meets the criteria for "de minimis modifications" to an existing facility, as it does not increase the height or width of the existing structure, and will not create impervious surfaces surrounding the facility. The project will consist of modifications to an existing telecommunications facility that will not increase the height or width of the facility, and will not create impervious surfaces surrounding the facility.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Vermont Public Utility Commission issued an order granting T-Mobile Northeast, LLC a certificate of public good for the installation of wireless telecommunications equipment at 160 Benmont Avenue in Bennington, Vermont.
  • The commission found that the project meets the criteria for "de minimis modifications" to an existing facility, as it does not increase the height or width of the existing structure, and will not create impervious surfaces surrounding the facility.
  • The project will consist of modifications to an existing telecommunications facility that will not increase the height or width of the facility, and will not create impervious surfaces surrounding the facility.
  • The commission determined that 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.
  • The project was deemed a "de minimis modification" by the commission, which means that it meets the criteria for a minor upgrade to an existing facility.
  • The commission issued the certificate of public good without further proceedings, as no objections to the classification of the project were filed.

Statistics:

  • The project involves the replacement of three existing panel antennas with three new panel antennas, each measuring approximately 56" by 12".
  • The project will not increase the height or width of the existing structure.
  • The project will not create impervious surfaces surrounding the facility.
  • 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 antennas will not extend vertically or horizontally from the structure by more than 10 feet.

Sources:

  • STATE OF VERMONT PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION, Case No. 23-3825-PET, Petition of T-Mobile requesting a certificate of public good for the installation of wireless telecommunications equipment at 160 Benmont Avenue in Bennington, Vermont (Dec 15, 2023)
  • 30 V.S.A. §248a(k), Vermont Public Utility Commission Standards and Procedures Implementing 30 V.S.A. §248a (Jan 18, 2023)