By Senators Sears, Bloomer, Crowley, Maynard, and Morrissey,
J.R.S. 93. Joint resolution relating to the natural gas pipeline project proposed for Bennington and Rutland counties.
Whereas, a natural gas pipeline project has been proposed in Bennington and Rutland Counties to provide energy for two electric generation facilities serving out of state electric supply needs, and possibly to provide for local commercial and industrial energy needs, and
Whereas, the project sponsors claim that their project would be an economic benefit to the region and the state, and
Whereas, project opponents, including many citizens of Bennington and Rutland Counties and local community organizations such as Vermonters for a Clean Environment, believe that the project would cause environmental harm, would subject private property to the threat of eminent domain, would lower property values, and would have a negative economic impact on the region and the state, and
Whereas, project opponents believe that the project sponsors have failed to listen carefully to the concerns of the residents of Bennington and Rutland Counties, and
Whereas, the project must receive numerous public permits before it can proceed, including a Section 248 proceeding before the public service board where the project sponsors must demonstrate that the project is required to meet Vermont's electricity needs, and including public service board proceedings to determine Vermont's position on the project in subsequent proceedings before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, now therefore be it
RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
That the public service board and the department of public service are directed, in connection with any petition that may be filed relative to the proposed natural gas or electric generating facility projects, to listen carefully to the concerns of the residents of Bennington and Rutland Counties, and be it further
Resolved: That the public service board and the department of public service are directed to assist the residents of Bennington and Rutland Counties to participate in proceedings before the public service board, including the granting of party status to affected residents, to organizations representing affected residents, and to municipal and county legislative and planning bodies, and be it further
Resolved: That the Secretary of State is directed to send a copy of this resolution to the public service board, the department of public service, and the municipal and county legislative and planning bodies of Bennington and Rutland Counties.
_____________________________________________ ATTESTED TO:
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
_____________________________________________ _____________________________
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES David A. Gibson
Secretary of the Senate