energy hearings

The Department of Public Service has set up five public workshops to hear from Vermonters on how the state should proceed into the future regarding energy sources. As many of you know about 2/3 of the energy sources now used in Vermont will expire by about 2012. The workshops will be held in locations throughout the state this fall and the aim is to allow citizens and ratepayers input as the state and utilities make decisions on how and where Vermont will obtain energy in the coming decades.

The workshops begin at 5:30pm with a light meal and the discussion is from 6pm until about 10pm. There will be time for an informational presentation, small group discussion, question and answer session with a panel of experts, a polling to collect preferences and opinions and an open mike to record additional thoughts.

Oct. 3, 2007 St. Johnsbury Elementary School

Oct.17, 2007 South Burlington High School

Oct.18, 2007 Montpelier Elks Club, Montpelier

Oct. 29, 2007 Dean Technical Center, Springfield

Oct.30, 2007 Rutland Intermediate Schl., Rutland

As you can see the closest workshop for Franklin County residents is the Oct 17 session at the South Burlington High School, but you can attend any of the sessions. They are free, but registration is required and an individual can attend only one workshop.

To register go to www.vermontsenergyfuture.info or call the Department of Public Service at 1-800-622-4496. If you are unable to attend any of the workshops but would still like to have some input, e-mail me a statement at cbranagan@leg.state.vt.us and I'll pass it along to Commissioner O'Brien.

Rep. Carolyn Branagan

Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia

Vermont House of Representatives