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Witnesses urge study and caution on Vermont Energy Equity Law; PUC points to Act 142 study
Summary
At a Finance committee hearing on S.204, Carol Flint of the Department of Public Service urged a year of analysis before creating a statewide low-income rate program, citing rising disconnects and program design questions; a Public Utility Commission representative said the PUCstudy recommends against a new statewide program. The committee requested PUC rule text and the PUCstudy and took no vote.
Carol Flint, director of consumer affairs and public information at the Vermont Department of Public Service, told the Finance committee that the proposed Vermont Energy Equity Law (S.204) aims to address energy affordability but that the department wants more analysis before implementing a statewide low-income rate program.
"Disconnections increased by about 31% between April 2022 and April 2025," Flint said, adding that many disconnects for nonpayment were followed by reconnections within 15 days. She told lawmakers the department is focused on affordability and is already helping homeowners reduce bills through efficiency efforts.
Flint said Vermont has long-standing consumer protections in its residential disconnection rule (Rule 3.3), including physician-certificate medical…
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