BROOKLINE — Last spring, an attorney with the Vermont Department of Public Service (DPS) confided to me that "there are less-than-honorable motivations for building the Coolidge Connector." What this professional knew - and what other DPS staff, consultants, and expert witnesses knew - is that the Central Vermont Public Service/Velco power line plan is a flawed, outdated design that will raise electric rates and put Vermont at a technological disadvantage.
Unfortunately for Vermonters, money spoke louder than logic. DPS head David O'Brien overruled his own experts and put the interests of Governor Jim Douglas's campaign donors over Vermont citizens, electricity consumers, and the environment.
O'Brien ignored the expert's recommendations and endorsed CVPS/Velco's plan to pocket millions of Vermont ratepayers' dollars by taking advantage of a provision in the Bush/Cheney Energy Act of 2005. This provision allows transmission providers to pass along to electric customers much of the costs of building and maintaining power lines, even if they are built primarily to ship bulk power to customers in other states.
Now, time grows short. The Public Service Board could issue its ruling any time. The PSB has the opportunity launch the new year with a surprise gift - a gift for our children and grandchildren, not just politicians and power companies - by denying the certificate of public good for this cynical, ill-advised project.
We aren't optimistic. Throughout this process, the state agencies charged with protecting Vermonters' interests have dropped the ball, in some cases not even showing up for hearings. Many Vermont citizens commented during the public comment period, but according to the PSB, it is actually illegal for the PSB to consider your opinion in making their final decision.
We need our legislature to act now! You can find your state senators' and representatives' contact information at www.leg.state.vt.us/legdir/findmember2.cfm.
Please ask the legislature to:
• Pass a two-year moratorium on construction of new power lines so that policy makers can evaluate up-to-date solutions that will not saddle future generations with outdated and unreliable technology, degraded landscapes, and higher-than-necessary electric rates.
• Fix the PSB structure and procedure so that politics and special interests are not favored over citizens and the environment.
• Make sure Vermont builds smart, modern grids that enable efficiency and renewable power, rather than locking in more 1950s technology that will put our state at a disadvantage in the new energy economy.
Please make our message heard. Once you have called or e-mailed your representative, please call or e-mail three friends in Vermont and ask them to get involved.