Latest News
Jan 30
Jay Peak Heating Project Brings Big Benefits to the Region
Jay Peak Resort has been running an innovative, hybrid space-and-water heating system for a few months now and initial indications are that the effort is helping the resort save significant energy costs and reduce carbon emissions. The new system can toggle back and forth between fuels, either propane or electricity, based on a variety of metrics, at any given time. “The resort is very pleased with the first month of electric boiler operation,” said Andy Stenger, Director of Facilities and Resort Services at Jay.
Jan 30
Storms Finn and Gerri Test the Co-op
Vermont experienced two back-to-back windstorms in January that caused major damage and a high number of power outages in VEC territory and elsewhere. The first, Storm Finn, hit overnight into Wednesday January 10, causing significant damage to VEC’s system in just a few hours. Restoration began after winds died down on Wednesday and crews were able to restore a fair bit of the system, only to be set back by a second storm that struck three days later. This one, Storm Gerri, blew in on January 13 and left further destruction in its path.
Jan 30
VEC Reliability and Resiliency
In January, winter storms Finn and Gerri brought significant damage to Vermont, taking down trees, power poles/lines and blowing away roofs. This comes after six months of intense, devastating weather including historic flooding in July and four rounds of wet heavy snow in December. We are so thankful for our resilient and patient members as we worked to restore power as safely and quickly as possible after each incident.
Jan 17
Vermont Electric Cooperative Seeking Candidates for Board of Directors
Johnson, VT - Are you interested in making a direct contribution to an affordable and clean energy future? Vermont Electric Co-op is accepting petitions from eligible candidates for four board of directors’ seats that are up for election in May.
Nov 27
Some VEC Outages May Extend into Tomorrow – Plan Accordingly
For Immediate Release: November 27, 2023 – 4:30 pm Contact Jake Brown, 802-730-0414 or [email protected] Johnson, VT – Some Vermont Electric Co-op members may…
Nov 16
VEC Control Center: On for Members 24/7/365
VEC’s Control Center is the hub of all of the co-op’s system operations. The center, which can be operated from VEC headquarters in Johnson or its Newport facility, runs all day every day to assure smooth delivery of electricity all the way from power sources through transmission and distribution networks to members’ homes and businesses. Scott Rockwood, Chief System Operator, took a few questions recently about the Control Center and the System Operators (including Melanie Messier, in photo) who run it.
Nov 15
VEC Files Rate Request
On November 14, 2023, VEC filed with the Public Utility Commission (PUC) a request for an 8.76 percent rate increase effective Jan. 1, 2024. We appreciate that this is not welcome news at a challenging time for many members. VEC has done our best to keep the rate request as low as possible while continuing to ensure we accomplish our core job of providing safe, reliable, and clean electricity to our communities.
Nov 9
VEC Webinar: An Info-Packed Hour on Reliability, Clean Energy, EVs, Cybersecurity and More
VEC’s CEO Rebecca Towne and Innovation and Technology Leader Cyril Brunner tackled a range of subjects on VEC’s recent live webinar entitled VEC and the Modern Electric Grid: What You Need to Know. The questions from members and other stakeholders who joined focused on power supply, system resilience, flexible load, and the future of the grid and more. (See below for a sampling of questions and hints at answers.) The full recording that includes all the details can be found here.
Oct 19
Four Steps to Stronger Cybersecurity
Hi! Belinda Gunnell, VEC's Innovation and Technology Coach here. October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Here's a quick reminder of four simple but important cybersecurity practices that can help keep you, and your household, more cyber-secure.
Sep 26
Food Pantry Run by Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi Receives Grant from VEC Community Fund
Generous members of the Vermont Electric Co-op who have chosen to support the VEC Community Fund continue to direct thousands of dollars a year into local non-profits in our region. One of the recent Community Fund awards went to the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi Food Pantry in Swanton. The $1,000 donation will help the food pantry purchase cereal as well as fresh fruits and vegetables for the roughly 500 clients the food pantry serves per month.