Lyndonville Substation Project

Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO) and Lyndonville Electric Department (LED) are proposing to construct a substation on lands owned by VELCO (the Lyndonville Substation Project). The purpose is to provide a redundant path to power Caledonia and Essex counties ensuring adequate supply for present and forecasted demand during all conditions, including equipment maintenance and failure. VELCO's property is located adjacent to the northern edge of the LED No. 2 Substation on Hill Street in Lyndon, Vermont. The project and related upgrades will improve reliability for Caledonia and Essex Counties.

The need for a second transformer in the St. Johnsbury area was identified in VELCO’s 2006 Long Range Transmission Plan, and the Lyndonville Substation Project was identified in VELCO’s 2009 Long Range Transmission Plan. The potential to defer the Project using non-transmission alternatives was studied and discussed with the Vermont System Planning Committee.  VELCO and LED determined that non-transmission alternatives are not viable or suitable replacements for the lack of redundancy in the transmission system in Caledonia County. Compared to other transmission alternatives, this Project does not require any new transmission lines that would involve new or expanded corridors.  In addition, proposing the substation immediately adjacent to existing transmission lines, instead of at a more distant location, will reduce environmental and aesthetic impacts. 

Lyndonville Substation Project Plans

Download a more detailed photo of the project location

The Project consists of the following specific components:

• Construct a new substation at Lyndon (four breaker 115 kV ring and five breaker 34.5 kV ring) with a 56 MVA 115/34.5 kV transformer and two 115 kV 12.5 MVAR capacitor banks.
• Modification to the existing adjacent 115 kV transmission line to connect to the Lyndonville Substation.
• Modification to the existing adjacent 34.5 kV subtransmission lines to connect to the Lyndonville Substation.

Reliability will be improved for both LED and Central Vermont Public Service customers in Caledonia and Essex counties as the new Lyndonville Substation, along with an existing sub-transmission line between the utility service areas, will prevent loss of power during failure or maintenance of equipment within either the St. Johnsbury or Lyndonville Substations or this sub-transmission line in between.  In addition, the Lyndonville Substation will allow for expected load growth at a local ski resort. 

Lyndonville Substation Project Impacts:

Although Project design engineering has not yet been completed, we do not anticipate any significant environmental impacts.  During the design process we have cataloged and verified environmental features to avoid impacts to wetlands, water quality, soil erosion, wildlife habitat, rare plants/species/areas, and below ground and above ground historic resources.  In addition, the Project is being designed to avoid any undue aesthetic or noise impacts. 

We plan to begin construction immediately after receipt of Public Service Board approval and to complete the Project before the winter of 2010.  We will be working with the affected town officials and landowners to coordinate equipment deliveries in a manner to minimize traffic impacts. 

We believe this Project to be consistent with the plans of the Town of Lyndon, Village of Lyndonville and the Northeast Vermont Development Association as it supports existing and projected electrical loads within Lyndon, Sutton, Burke, Newark, Westmore, Kirby, Victory, East Haven, Concord, Lunenburg, Guildhall, Granby, St. Johnsbury, Waterford, Barnet, Danville, Walden, Wheelock, Sheffield, and Glover areas, and will promote economic development.