Vermont's Energy Future
Welcome from Commissioner David O'Brien

Welcome to Vermont’s Energy Future!

My name is David O’Brien and I am the Commissioner of the Department of Public Service.  Our Department is a regulatory agency that represents ratepayers in a variety of utility-related issues, including energy planning. 

The Governor has always held energy and the environment as top issues for Vermont’s future.  He has asked our Department to sponsor a Public Engagement Process on electricity, so that utilities and policy makers have a better understanding of what Vermonters want in their energy future.  As a result, the Legislature crafted acts requiring a comprehensive public process on electricity to address two major concerns: the re-licensure of Vermont Yankee, and the replacement of long term power contracts that we currently have.

Our State is one of the few in the region to still have a regulated environment for electricity, which has resulted in lower prices for consumers.  We have a balanced energy portfolio that includes sources such as hydroelectric power, nuclear power, wind, biomass and market sources, making ours one of the cleanest in the nation.  However, the long-term agreements with Hydro Quebec and Vermont Yankee begin to expire in 2012.  We therefore have a unique opportunity to explore how we replace these “base load” power sources, and that is where you come in.

Energy is a topic of much interest, and experts and interested groups have their vision about what Vermont’s Energy Future should be.  I believe it is important that we also hear what Vermonters want.  That is why my Department will be providing an opportunity for you to attend training sessions and participate in deliberation.  Your wisdom can be of great value in this process.

Thank you for your interest and I look forward to seeing you at one of our events!

Sincerely yours,

David J. O’Brien
Commissioner