House committee hears bill to extend PUC option for telecom siting by three years

Legislative Council told the House Energy and Digital Infrastructure Committee on Wednesday that H.527 would extend by three years the sunset on 30 V.S.A. §248a, preserving an option for telecom applicants to seek a Certificate of Public Good from the Public Utility Commission rather than pursuing Act 250 or municipal zoning permits.

Ellen Despati of Legislative Council, who led the walkthrough, said the bill “extends by 3 years the sunset on 30 VSA section 248a,” noting the statute currently bars new §248a applications after July 1, 2026. She told committee members the statute was created in 2007, amended in 2009 and has typically been renewed in three‑year increments to let the Legislature reassess whether the PUC option is working for affected parties.

Why it matters: Section 248a provides an alternate, state‑level permitting path for telecommunications facilities. Choosing that path can limit the relevance of municipal zoning because the PUC issues a Certificate of Public Good (CPG) under statutory criteria. Proponents of the state process say it streamlines permitting and keeps statewide technical standards consistent; local officials and residents have raised concerns about reduced local control and aesthetic, environmental and historic‑site impacts in specific cases.

What is in the statute: Despati outlined three tracks under §248a. Full projects…