AARP Voter Study: Vermonters Shouldn’t Pay for VGS Pipeline and Ratepayers Deserve Better Representation

Most Vermonters feel that ratepayers should not bear the costs of a gas pipeline nor be subject to higher rates to fund Vermont Gas System’s (VGS) Adison Natural Gas Project, according to a recent survey by AARP Vermont of registered voters across the state. Furthermore, most of those surveyed said they would be more likely to support a candidate who committed to ensuring that regulators advocated for affordable residential utility rates. Most felt they needed better representation from regulators at the state level regarding utility costs and that there should have been far more transparency on the increasing costs of the VGS pipeline project.

Highlights of the survey are detailed below:

-80% feel VGS customers should not pay for the pipeline.

-Only 7% knew that ratepayers were funding the project.

-94% believe VGS should have disclosed cost increases as soon as they were discovered.

-94% believe customer should have been informed of pipeline issues.

-84% feel the company should pay for the cost overruns

-88% think there should be better financial transparency of construction costs.

-51% oppose the Vermont Public Service Department’s decision to let the project continue despite substantial cost overruns.

-Two-thirds are more likely to support a candidate committed to ensuring regulators advocate for affordable residential utility rates.

“Clearly Vermonters are worried about rising utility costs which pose an even greater burden on older residents living on fixed incomes,” said Greg Marchildon, AARP Vermont state director. “More specifically, they are not happy with the way the VGS project has proceeded nor how they are being represented by the Vermont Public Service Department that is charged with representing them. Most of these voters told us that these factors would lead them to support candidates who are committed to ensuring affordable residential utility rates. As statewide elections approach we expect this will be a key issue – and one that voters and our members take seriously.”

The telephone survey was conducted with 800 registered Vermont voters across the state to gauge the opinions and concerns of voters around the VGS Addison pipeline project and their views on utility related issues. The sampling error for the sample of 800 is approximately 3.5%. The survey report can be found below.

Utility survey pdf 7-15