Vermont Public Utility Commission Imposes $3,500 Fine on Waitsfield & Champlain Valley Telecom for Alleged Violation of Underground Utility Damage Prevention System

Strategic Insights -

The Vermont Public Utility Commission has issued a binding disposition order, making a default decision in a case against Waitsfield & Champlain Valley Telecom for allegedly violating the state's underground utility damage prevention system. According to the order, the company failed to mark out all facilities on September 28, 2020, in St. George, VT. This incident led to a Notice of Probable Violation (NOPV) issued by the Vermont Department of Public Service on October 30, 2020. The company was given 30 days to respond to the NOPV but failed to do so.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Vermont Public Utility Commission has imposed a $3,500 fine on Waitsfield & Champlain Valley Telecom for allegedly violating the state's underground utility damage prevention system.
  • The alleged violation occurred on September 28, 2020, in St. George, VT, when the company failed to mark out all facilities.
  • The Vermont Department of Public Service issued a Notice of Probable Violation (NOPV) on October 30, 2020, and the company was given 30 days to respond but failed to do so.
  • This incident is the fifth NOPV issued by the Department of Public Service to Waitsfield & Champlain Valley Telecom in the 12 months preceding this incident.
  • The company's failure to mark out all facilities led to a civil penalty in the amount of $3,500.00.
  • The Public Utility Commission has ordered the company to pay the fine within thirty days of the date of the order.

Statistics:

  • $3,500: The amount of the civil penalty imposed on Waitsfield & Champlain Valley Telecom for allegedly violating the state's underground utility damage prevention system.
  • Five: The number of Notice of Probable Violation (NOPVs) issued by the Vermont Department of Public Service to Waitsfield & Champlain Valley Telecom in the 12 months preceding this incident.
  • $3,500.00: The amount of the fine Waitsfield & Champlain Valley Telecom must pay the Public Utility Commission within thirty days of the date of the order.

Sources:

  • STATE OF VERMONT PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION Case No. 21-4428-DSN
  • Vermont Public Utility Commission Order issued 10/21/2022
  • Notice of Probable Violation (NOPV) dated 10/30/2020