MONTPELIER — The Vermont Public Service Board on Monday, June 22, will begin the first of an anticipated two days of technical hearings en route to deciding whether to reopen the permitting process for Phase I of proposed Addison-Rutland Natural Gas Project, which calls for a 43-mile natural gas pipeline extension from Colchester to Middlebury and Vergennes.
The Public Service Board in December 2013 approved the proposed pipeline, in spite of widespread opposition voiced at a series of public hearings. But the board is now determining whether to reopen its review of the plan in light of major cost overruns associated with the project. In July of 2014, Vermont Gas announced cost estimates had ballooned from $87 million to $122 million.
The June 22 meeting is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. in the Public Service Board hearing room on the third floor of the People’s United Bank Building at 112 State St., Montpelier.