About Vermont Electric Power Company
Vermont Electric Power Company, Inc.—VELCO—was formed in 1956 when Vermont’s local utilities joined together to establish the nation's first statewide, "transmission only" company in order to create and maintain an interconnected electric transmission grid capable of sharing access to clean hydro power. VELCO currently manages a system that includes:
- 738 miles of transmission lines
- 13,000 acres of rights-of-way
- 55 substations, switching stations and terminal facilities
- Equipment that enables interconnected operations with Hydro-Québec
- Fiber optic communication networks that monitor and control the electric system and serve as a key link for Vermonters’ high-speed data internet access
- 52-mile 450 kV direct current line through the Northeast Kingdom owned by Vermont Electric Transmission Company (VETCO)
Headquartered in Rutland, Vermont, VELCO employees strive to give Vermont’s utilities and their customers a reliable high-voltage grid, a strong unified voice on regional energy issues, and continued access to safe, reliable, cost-effective electricity. VELCO collaboratively develops and advocates cost-effective reliability solutions, whether system infrastructure, energy efficiency or generation.
Vermont Transco LLC
In 2006, VELCO and Vermont’s electric distribution companies formed Vermont Transco LLC, a limited liability corporation. Vermont Transco owns Vermont's high-voltage electric transmission system (115 kV and above) and provides service under applicable tariffs to:
- Vermont’s 17 electric distribution utilities
- Two small distribution utility loads in New Hampshire
- Loads throughout New England through ISO-New England
VELCO manages the Vermont Transco LLC system, and in that capacity, operates and maintains Vermont's electric transmission system, as it has for more than 55 years.
VETCO—Vermont Electric Transmission Company Inc.
VETCO is a wholly owned subsidiary of VELCO that was organized for the purpose of constructing and operating the Vermont portion of the Phase I Québec–New England HVDC Interconnection, a high-voltage direct current transmission line transmitting power from Canada to Vermont and other New England states. The creation and ownership of VETCO was authorized by the Vermont Public Utility Commission in 1982.