Awards & Partnerships
VELCO is grateful to earn the recognition and partnership of these groups through our employees’ passion, creativity and performance.
Recent Awards
Project Awards
American Council of Engineering Companies Merit Award (2019)
The American Countil of Engineering Companies of Vermont is a non-profit trade association with a mission to enhance the economic and regulatory climate for private engineering companies and assist member companies in improving their business management practices so that they may provide high-quality professional services. In June, VELCO's PV20 Project (Lake Champlain cable replacement) received the Merit Award for engineering excellence. This award recognizes the engineering excellence exhibited in the design and construction of this project, and recognizes the employment of horizontal directional drilling underwater given real estate constraints, the level of water quality protection and monitoring, and the commissioning of the new cables without major interruption to power service or impact to the environment.
Environmental Awards
Right-of-Way Stewardship Council Accreditation (2019)
The Right-of-Way Stewardship Council (ROWSC) is an accreditation program that establishes rigorous standards for responsible right-of-way vegetation management, initially focused on high-voltage electric transmission corridors throughout America. VELCO’s 700 miles plus of right-of-way resources weave through Vermont’s working and conserved landscape of forest, farm, mountain and neighborhood communities that require a flexible vegetation management program. VELCO and a western U.S. utility are the first utilities in the nation to earn this certification.
Tree Line USA (2007—2019)
The Arbor Day Foundation, in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters, recognizes public and private utilities that demonstrate practices that protect and enhance America's urban forests. The Tree Line USA program promotes the dual goals of safe, reliable electric service and abundant, healthy trees across utility service areas. VELCO is recognized for our commitment to quality vegetation management practices, sound environmental stewardship, and educating both landowners and members of the public about proper tree care.
Safety Awards
Governor’s Award for Outstanding Workplace Safety (2008, 2010)
The Governor's Award for Outstanding Workplace Safety is sponsored by the Vermont Department of Labor, the Vermont Safety & Health Council and the Vermont Small Business Development Center. A commitment to workplace safety not only protects employees and community members, but allows the participants to reap benefits of reduced costs. VELCO's safety program helps us improve employee morale and productivity, and lower workers' compensation and medical costs.
Partnerships
Through partnerships we achieve community.
VELCO has been Vermont’s reliability resource for over 55 years. That longstanding success is in large part due to strong partnerships created within the Vermont community. Partnerships allow us to tap into the knowledge and innovation of local people and organizations that share common ground in order to forge solutions for our energy future that enjoy broad-based support.
Many of our initiatives are a result of alliances and collaboration with a wide variety of institutions, agencies and organizations.
Vermont Green Business
VELCO is committed to protecting the health and safety of our employees and the environment of Vermont. VELCO seeks and implements solutions that reduce or eliminate waste, conserve energy and natural resources, practice and promote recycling, and avoid or reduce the use of toxic products.
VELCO is a member of the Vermont Green Business Program, a voluntary, recognition program that provides resources to Vermont business on how to go above and beyond compliance with existing environmental regulations, using pollution prevention strategies and implementation of best management practices. VELCO became a Vermont Business Environmental Partner in 2008.
Partnerships with other Vermont utilities
Academic institutions
- Castleton State College
- Northern Vermont University
- Norwich University
- University of Vermont
- Vermont Law School
- Vermont Technical College
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Environmental groups and agencies
- Agency of Natural Resources
- Conservation Law Foundation
- Green Saving Smart Financial Energy Coaching (Capstone Community Action)
- Nature Conservancy
- Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
- Vermont Land Trust
Economic partners
- Associated Industries of Vermont
- Renewable Energy Vermont
- Sovernet
- Vermont Association of Snow Travelers
- Vermont Business Roundtable
- Vermont Council on Rural Development
- Vermont Telecommunications Authority
- Vermont Telephone Company