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Public utilities

Vermont Public Utility Commission Grants Waiver for Temporary Substation in Hartland

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Vermont Public Utility Commission (VUPC) has granted a waiver to Green Mountain Power Corporation (GMP) to install a temporary substation in Hartland, Vermont, to serve as the GMP Taftsville Substation in Woodstock. The waiver was requested due to an emergency situation caused by a catastrophic fault in the existing Taftsville Substation transformer during a storm on August 13, 2025. The Commission held a preliminary hearing on August 20, 2025, and concluded that good cause exists for the waiver, as it is necessary to provide adequate and efficient service to customers served by the Taftsville Substation. The waiver is subject to certain conditions, including the requirement that GMP install the temporary substation in accordance with the evidence submitted in the proceeding and file a petition for a certificate of public good within 12 months of the Order.

Key Takeaways:

  • The VUPC granted a waiver to GMP to install a temporary substation in Hartland, Vermont, due to an emergency situation caused by a catastrophic fault in the existing Taftsville Substation transformer.
  • The waiver is necessary to provide adequate and efficient service to customers served by the Taftsville Substation, and measures will be taken to minimize adverse impacts on the environment.
  • GMP must install the temporary substation in accordance with the evidence submitted in the proceeding and file a petition for a certificate of public good within 12 months of the Order.
  • The waiver is subject to certain conditions, including the requirement that GMP comply with the Vermont Wetland Rules and ANR's guidance document interpreting Allowed Use 6.13.
  • GMP must pay all invoices from any State agency related to this proceeding that are not still under review by the Commission.
  • The temporary substation will consist of a temporary transmission pole, a set of inline disconnects, and a new transmission line conductor.
  • Fiber optic cable will be added to the tap line and GMP's existing distribution line to facilitate communication with the temporary substation.
  • GMP will perform all work in accordance with the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation's Low Risk Site Handbook for Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control.

Statistics:

  • The waiver is effective until the Commission completes its examination of GMP's request for approval pursuant to 30 V.S.A. SS 248 or GMP informs the Commission that it has installed a new 5/7 MVA transformer, whichever is sooner.
  • GMP must file a petition for a certificate of public good within 12 months of the Order.
  • The Commission will require the removal, relocation, or alteration of the facilities subject to the waiver if a certificate of public good has not been issued under Section 248.
  • The temporary substation will be surrounded by a berm oil containment system with a volume of no less than 110% of the power transformer's oil capacity plus 5 inches of freeboard rain.

Sources:

  • Vermont Public Utility Commission, Case No. 25-1821-PET, Petition of Green Mountain Power Corporation for a waiver, pursuant to 30 V.S.A. SS 248(k).
  • Green Mountain Power Corporation, Direct Testimony of Kamran Hassan, GMP.
  • Agency of Natural Resources, Available at: https://anr.vermont.gov/doc/content/emergency-actions-within-wetlands.
  • Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, Low Risk Site Handbook for Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control.

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