Renewable Revolution

Fundraising success for opponents of the fracked gas pipeline   


Press Release Jun. 16 2015
Just Power
 Rebecca Foster
carpegreenum@gmail.com
 646-468-3511

Addison and Chittenden Counties, Vt – A grassroots group opposing the fracked gas pipeline has met its goal to establish a legal fund and hire a lawyer to represent landowners Nate and Jane Palmer in front of the Public Service Board (PSB) next week. The Palmers and other opponents of the project face off with Vermont Gas Systems (VGS) on June 22-23 at the technical hearings to reopen the permit for Phase I of the expansion project.

With members from all walks of life and through partnerships with organizations around the state, Just Power has had an impact on the pipeline debate disproportionate to the group’s size. For nearly three years volunteers have scoured VGS filings and statements as well as state agencies’ reviews of the project. “We’ve found mistakes in VGS’ numbers, misleading advertising about potential savings, and unjustifiable statements of ambitious goals,” said Diane Derrick of Hinesburg, “to say nothing of wild claims about benefits Vermont is supposed to get out of this project.”

For the second time in less than a year, the PSB will review the massive increase in project costs and consider whether to reopen VGS’ certificate of public good. With the project now at a price tag of over $154 million, current customers are expected to suffer essentially permanent rate hikes to pay for an expansion that will not benefit them. The average family in Chittenden and Franklin counties will pay around $8,000 above and beyond the gas service they receive over the next 25 years.   

“It’s ludicrous that families may be forced to forego things they need like college tuition, care for an elderly parent, or unpaid parental leave to pay for something that is going to damage our state and our planet,”

said Andy Simon, a Burlington ratepayer. “VGS has been saying right along that up to 3,000 people in Addison County would benefit from lower heating bills, but that’s simply not true. Counting conversion costs, those families won’t save a dime for at least 14 years!”   

Just Power members say it was inevitable that VGS and longtime supporter of the pipeline, the Department of Public Service (DPS), would have to come before the PSB again to explain themselves. “Many of the problems pro se intervenors in the Section 248 process have predicted have come to pass,” said Bobbie Carnwath from Cornwall. “But they haven’t had high-powered lawyers. Even the organizations with talented and experienced attorneys representing them don’t have the resources to counter the millions of dollars VGS is spending on its fleet of attorneys to bury the truth about this project. Just Power’s contributions have been pure elbow grease, time, and personal funds from our small group.”

The group decided that next week’s technical hearings, which could lead to the reopening of the case by the PSB, were so important that for the first time it went to its supporters asking for money to hire an attorney to represent the Palmers for the two days of technical hearings.

“A lawyer will help provide the respect that the Palmer legal team deserves!” wrote one donor on the group’s GoFundMe site. “The pipeline only serves large industrial customers while placing a large, very risky burden on existing and prospective ratepayers.” Another donor added:

“We can do better with energy conservation, renewables, and careful and creative planning of safe, non-fracked, and just solutions for the energy needs of all Vermonters. Let’s do that instead!”

At the same time that Vermonters were chipping in donations from $5 to $1,000, VGS added yet another law firm to their team to promote the pipeline. Members of the coalition to stop the pipeline have vowed to continue their lean and spirited fight  no matter how much money VGS pours into defending its project.

Just Power urges Vermonters to attend the technical hearings as well as a ‘Truth-in and Vigil,” organized by a coalition of groups, during which participants will share facts as they emerge from the hearings. Opponents of the project want the PSB, DPS, and VGS to understand that the public is holding them accountable for considering whether the huge rate hikes required to cover VGS’ cost overruns are just and reasonable and whether, with three years of technological advancements in lower-cost and environmentally sound alternatives, this project is necessary at all.

Technical Hearings at the Public Service Board (112 State Street, Montpelier), 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 22 and June 23.

Truth-in and Vigil (State House Lawn, Montpelier), 4 p.m. June 22 to 8 a.m. June 23.

http://vtdigger.org/2015/06/16/fundraising-success-for-opponents-of-the-fracked-gas-pipeline/

Agelbert NOTE: I am in Chittenden County, Vermont. I DO NOT use any natural gas whatsoever.  We need a natural gas pipeline like a hole in the head (and the pocket book too!).