Vermont Electric Cooperative history

On July 28, 1939, a group of 30 neighbors met at the then Maple Corner Grange and created the Washington Electric Co-op.

From the January 29, 1940 Brattleboro Reformer and reprinted in the Montpelier Evening Argus

December 2, 1941 Winter Says REA Seeks Socialism – Tells House Agency Has Hoard of Copper in Texas to Aid Its Utility `Program’ – PLOT BY `REDS’ IS CHARGED – Communists and Sympathizers, He Says, Are Scheming to Control Our Economics

In 1943, Washington Electric acquired the L.E. Johnson Electric System in West Danville, including Joe’s Pond as well as the Waits River Electric Corporation.

In 1946, REA allocated loan funds to Washington Electric Cooperative for the purchase of a power site at the Wrightsville Dam on the North Branch of the Winooski River (Barre Daily Times, September 23, 1946)

In 1949, Washington Electric Co-op raised rates for the first time, nearly 10%. In the Vermont legislature, a proposal by Rep.

The co-op occupied a newly constructed office by the end of 1950.

In April 1957, the Vermont legislature passed S.72 allowing the Public Service Company to contract to bring St Lawrence Power to Vermont.

The initial 224-mile 115 kV VELCO system was placed in service in September 1958.

In January 1960, the Co-op was involved in a Community Development Program.

In 1963, the Co-op continued to work with R.E.A. to develop a program of Rural Area Development in several areas of the co-op’s system.

In 1969, Washington Electric Co-op recognized the Adamant Music School located in the co-op region as a 26 year old entity.A sales tax of 3.0% was imposed on all expenses (even power). Later power was deducted from the assessment.

On June 8, 1970, the Co-op purchased 2,431 shares of stock in the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant.

Fire destroyed our garage across from the co-op office on April 8, 1972.

Also in 1977, an offer was made by Green Mountain Power Corporation to purchase, contract with or lease the Cooperative.

In June,1981 Washington Electric Co-op (WEC) filed an 11.47% increase in rates and the Board voted to select part ownership of Seabrook and Millstone commitments with REA funding.

Construction began in the spring of 1982.

At issue was the treatment of MMWEC (Seabrook) interest payments due to begin in January 1986.

On Sunday, October 4, 1987, a snowstorm struck Vermont causing severe damage to Co-op lines.

The Vermont Supreme Court on September 27, 1988 declared the Seabrook contract illegal, which could save the Co-op $43 million.

In 1992, the Co-op dismantled the four-bay garage attached to its main office building, and constructed a new addition to the building consisting of office space and handicap ramp.

In 1995, the Co-op won its lawsuit against the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Corporation, and money previously paid under the Seabrook nuclear power contract ($924,000) was refunded.

In 1997, a survey of members found the majority of members were satisfied with service from their Co-op.

In 1998, a big ice storm in January caused extensive damage and an outage of 2 to 4 days duration.

January 15, 2002, Manager Patt signed the back of some stock certificates, concluding the sale of WEC’s ownership interest in the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation back to that company.

Membership approved landfill methane project on June 29, 2004 on a 1,633 to 86 vote.

The Coventry plant began full time generation on July 1, 2005 which made 40% of WEC power mix generated from methane.

At the May 23, 2006, annual meeting WEC’s membership gave permission to construct a new $849,000 substation in Maple Corner on a vote of 1,046 – 53.

The new engine was put into operation Friday, January 12, 2007, with generation capacity now expanded from 4.8 MW to 6.4 MW.

An increase of 23.81 percent was requested, however, WEC and the DPS agreed to a 19.44% increase with new rates effective January 2011.