The Vermont Supreme Court on Thursday gave the Vermont Public Service Board permission to reconsider Vermont Gas’ pipeline expansion in Addison County.
The PSB has 30 days to decide whether to re-evaluate the project, and will then have 30 days to decide how it will do so. Regulators could decide to approve the project again, change the state permit or revoke the permit altogether and halt the project.
The review was triggered by a 40-percent increase in the approved cost to build the project.
The PSB’s December approval of the project was appealed to the Vermont Supreme Court by landowners. The appeal will be on hold until regulators decide what further action to take with the case.
Vermont Gas has already started construction on the 41-mile pipeline from Chittenden County south to Middlebury, which opponents say the company is doing at their own risk.
Pipeline opponents say regulators should decide again whether the project is a good deal for Vermont Gas customers after the company announced in July the project would cost $121 million — up $35 million from the price tag regulators approved last year. The board must determine whether the cost increase represents a substantial change to the project.
The Department of Public Service recommended fining the company $35,000 for notifying the board in July about cost increases it had determined in March. Vermont Gas has agreed to pay the fine, but justified the belated announcement because it wanted to wait to present the board with the cost increase after it received its final wetlands permit (and any associated costs with the permit).
Regulators will consider next week whether the company violated state law for the delayed announcement.
Vermont Gas also announced Wednesday it is building a small pipeline network in Middlebury to serve three commercial customers.
