After three years of investigation, hearings began Tuesday into whether Vermont Gas buried parts of the Addison County natural gas pipeline too close to the ground’s surface.
The hearings are scheduled to last four days.
The state Public Utility Commission convened the hearing to determine whether Vermont Gas violated its certificate of public good, following reports that a section of the Addison County pipeline beneath a swamp in New Haven was not buried at the mandated depth of 4 feet.
A December 2019 report from an independent investigator hired by the state found the pipeline to be “generally” in compliance with state and federal safety regulations, but confirmed that parts of the pipeline beneath the swamp were not adequately buried, and that plans for the pipeline had not been approved by a professional engineer.
The report also noted that Vermont Gas officials had been “diligent in their efforts” to comply with safety regulations, often exceeding those standards.
The $165 million pipeline was completed in April 2017, running 41 miles from Colchester to Middlebury.
Three months after its completion, the PUC began investigating claims that the pipeline was not buried deeply enough. In 2018, the Agency of Natural Resources and Department of Public Service asked that the investigation be expanded into pipeline construction methods and operation.
In November 2018, James Dumont, an attorney for five area residents who oppose the pipeline, filed a motion to expand the investigation even further to assess whether a professional engineer had signed off on the pipeline construction plans.
The 2019 report found that the pipeline was adequately buried at stream crossings, but not deeply enough in a transmission right of way through a clay plain swamp in New Haven. However, investigators noted that an engineering analysis of the pipeline showed that Vermont Electric Power Co. trucks would still be able to safely drive over the pipeline.
After the release of the report, further time was allowed to gather additional information about the case, in anticipation of this week’s hearing.
On day one of the hearing, the commission heard from Dumont and the independent investigator, Bill Byrd, among others.
Once the hearing concludes, the commission will decide whether to levy penalties against the utility. Members of the public who want to listen to the online hearing can access it here.
