Electric Power Reliability in the Face of a Changing Climate Focus of VEC Annual Meeting

Johnson, VT- Vermont Electric Co-op members recently got a rundown on how the co-op is planning for increasing weather-related threats to the power system during VEC’s Annual Meeting at Smugglers’ Notch Resort. The morning-long event took place this past Saturday, May 11.

Speaking to a crowd of about 160 people, Dr. Jay Shafer, chief science officer at Disaster Tech outlined the increasing threats of weather due to the changing climate. VEC’s chief operating officer Peter Rossi then updated members on the types of investments the co-op is making to increase both the reliability and resiliency of the VEC power system in the face of these risks. After the presentations, the Q&A period focused on the future of the grid, integration of renewables, and managing expected increases in demand in the coming years.

Members who attended enjoyed a complimentary breakfast and giveaways, and several won raffle prizes including a Weber Lumin electric grill courtesy of Smugglers’ Notch Resort, and an electric weed trimmer donated by Efficiency Vermont, as well as gifts from a range of VEC partners including Erica’s American Diner in Fairfax and others.

Members also got a chance to check out two of VEC’s all-electric Ford F150 Lightning fleet pickup trucks, and discuss the co-op’s experience so far running these trucks in Vermont conditions.

Finally, members elected to the Board of Directors were: Jeffery Wilson of Coventry representing District 2; Rich Goggin of South Hero representing District 7; Ken Hoeppner of Jeffersonville representing West Zone; and George Lague  of Derby representing East Zone. 

You can see a video recording of the meeting here. (Note – video orientation corrects at minute 3)