House committee gathers broad stakeholder feedback on H727, the data-center bill; water, PUC contract clarity and transparency top concerns

Montpelier — On Wednesday, March 11, the House Energy & Digital Infrastructure Committee convened to take testimony on H727, a bill that would set rules for connecting large data centers to Vermont’s electric grid. Lawmakers heard from utilities, land-use authorities, conservation groups and developers about provisions on PUC‑approved service contracts, Act 250 triggers, water permits and energy‑efficiency protections.

The bill creates a process for utilities and data centers to enter a ‘‘large-load service equity contract’’ that the Public Utility Commission would review before approval, and it adds provisions intended to prevent costs from shifting to other ratepayers. Candace Morgan of Mountain Power told the committee the draft “does a really good job of establishing that” set of protections and welcomed language clarifying what the PUC should review in those contracts.

Why it matters: stakeholders said contracts will shape whether a data center imposes costs or risks on Vermont ratepayers and communities. Several witnesses urged tighter, clearer links between the contract-review process and the state land‑use review (Act 250) and water‑permit processes so that responsibilities do not duplicate or leave gaps.

What stakeholders said: Ben (industry representative) said Vermont “is going to be better off if…