Vermont Public is independent, community-supported media, serving Vermont with trusted, relevant and essential information. We share stories that bring people together, from every corner of our region. New to Vermont Public? Start here.

© 2025 Vermont Public | 365 Troy Ave. Colchester, VT 05446

Public Files:
WVTI · WOXM · WVBA · WVNK · WVTQ
WVPR · WRVT · WOXR · WNCH · WVPA
WVPS · WVXR · WETK · WVTB · WVER
WVER-FM · WVLR-FM · WBTN-FM

For assistance accessing our public files, please contact hello@vermontpublic.org or call 802-655-9451.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Regulators May Reconsider Phase 1 Of Vermont Gas Pipeline

The Vermont Supreme Court has granted a request from the state Public Service Board that will allow the board to reconsider its December 2013 ruling that approved Phase 1 of the Vermont Gas Systems pipeline for construction.

The project in question is planned to extend Vermont Gas' network south from Chittenden County to the Middlebury area. It is the first phase of a three-phase project that is ultimately planned to bring Vermont Gas service to Rutland.

The December ruling was appealed to the Vermont Supreme Court, which had yet to decide on the case. But when Vermont Gas announced in July that the extension to Addison County would cost 40 percent more than initially planned, critics called on the Public Service Board to reconsider its approval.

Last week, the board asked the Supreme Court to pass the case back to it so the board could reevaluate the financial benefits of the project in light of the cost increase. On Thursday, the court granted that request, which will allow the Public Service Board to take a second look.

The Supreme Court approval does not constitute a ruling in favor of or against the December decision, and the Public Service Board's decision to reevaluate the project doesn't necessarily mean anything will change about the project.

The Supreme Court document granting the request, Justice John A. Dooley, says that "[i]f the Board determines that the proceedings will be reopened, it will have an additional thirty days to address the new cost information."

Vermont Gas company spokesman Steve Wark has said the company remains confident that the project provides economic and environmental benefits to the state through reduced fuel costs and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Wark says that the company is confident the project is still worth it for ratepayers and the state even after the cost increase.

Taylor was VPR's digital reporter from 2013 until 2017. After growing up in Vermont, he graduated with at BA in Journalism from Northeastern University in 2013.
Latest Stories