Vermont Senate Passes Budget That Provides AMI Funding For Public Power

by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
April 26, 2022

The Vermont Senate recently approved an $8 billion budget that includes a significant investment for advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) in the state’s public power communities. The budget passed the Senate on April 20, 2022.

In March, House lawmakers recognized a need for AMI funding for public power and cooperative electric utilities. The House passed its version of the budget bill with $5 million in one-time funding from the General Fund appropriated to AMI.

The Senate Appropriations Committee then provided unanimous support for an additional $3 million in funding, for a total $8 million “towards the affordable, equitable implementation of AMI in Vermont’s rural communities,” the Vermont Public Power Supply Authority (VPPSA) noted.

The $8 million of AMI funding will be administered by the Vermont Department of Public Service. It will be applied as a reimbursement to public power and cooperative electric utilities that implement AMI systems that have been approved by the Vermont Public Utilities Commission.

The bill will now likely head to a conference committee consisting of House and Senate negotiators. Action on the budget will be taken by Vermont Governor Phil Scott later this spring.

VPPSA provides municipal electric utility members with a broad spectrum of services and solutions, including regulatory assistance, financial planning, and power supply.

VPPSA members include Barton Village, Village of Enosburg Falls, Hardwick Electric Department, Village of Jacksonville Electric Company, Village of Johnson Electric Department, Ludlow Electric Light Department, Lyndonville Electric Department, Morrisville Water & Light Department, Town of Northfield Electric Department, Village of Orleans, and Swanton Village Electric Department.