Semiconductor manufacturer GlobalFoundries says it will move forward with its proposal to become its own electric utility, after state regulators told the company last week that it could not skirt the state’s renewable energy standard.
GlobalFoundries, which employs about 2,200 people at its plant in Essex Junction, put forward a proposal to the Public Utility Commission (PUC) last March to separate from its current electricity provider, Green Mountain Power, and buy energy from the regional grid, in order to cut costs.
After months of vocal opposition from environmental and renewable energy groups, the PUC ruled on Thursday that, contrary to its request, the company could not be exempt from state requirements that electric utilities source an increasing percentage of their power from renewable sources.
Ken McAvey, the general manager of GlobalFoundries’ sprawling Essex Junction facility, called the renewable issue “negligible,” claiming the company will surpass the state’s requirements.
“We're committed to [a] 100% carbon neutral portfolio, and appreciate the PUC's time and effort and look forward to moving forward,” McAvey said in an interview with VPR.
McAvey did not detail what sources the company intends to draw power from to reach its goal of carbon neutrality.
The company, which uses more electricity than the entire city of Burlington, has said its power costs in Vermont are double what it pays at its headquarters in Malta, New York. McAvey said cutting those costs is an essential move for the company’s future in Vermont.
"For our long-term commitment, we've got to continue to be competitive, and this is a significant focus for us in terms of getting this self-managed utility through,” McAvey said.
More from VPR: GlobalFoundries is growing amid the chip shortage. But is it committed to Vermont?
Opponents to GlobalFoundries’ plan had also questioned whether the PUC had jurisdiction to allow the company to create its own utility. Sen. Christopher Bray, a Democrat from Addison County who chairs the Senate’s Natural Resources Committee, said he’d prefer Global go through the Legislature.
“I would encourage any business that wants to have special treatment to bring it to the Legislature,” Bray said. “That's where the law originates, and if they want to modify it, I think it's much more straightforward to come back to the source of that law and make that request there."
McAvey said the company believes the PUC is the correct venue for its proposal. In its order last week, commissioners said the body has the authority to authorize a new power utility, but not one that’s exempt from renewable energy requirements.
The commission gave GlobalFoundries until March 11 to revise its petition. McAvey said the company intends to meet that deadline.
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