On Friday, the Vermont Public Service Board decided not to reopen the December 23, 2013, final Order in which it granted a Certificate of Public Good to Vermont Gas Systems, Inc. to construct a fracked gas transmission line into Addison County, Vermont.
While the world is turning away from fossil fuels, it appears that fracked gas continues to enjoy the warm embrace of the Public Service Board. This really is a terrible decision.
VPIRG believes the evidence was clear that safer, cleaner and cheaper alternatives to fracked gas are available today. That means that the $154 million pipeline cannot possibly be in the public’s interest.
It is also clear that as long as we allow the fossil fuel industry to sell its dirty product without paying a dime for the true cost of its pollution, we may continue to get flawed decisions like this one. It’s time to put a price on carbon pollution and return the revenues to Vermonters in the form of tax cuts and incentives for energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Read the Board’s decision below: