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Changes to the Public Utility Commission's Operations Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Both the State of Vermont and the federal government have declared a state of emergency due to the outbreak of the new coronavirus known as COVID-19.  This webpage contains information about changes to the Public Utility Commission’s operations as a result of this state of emergency.  The changes are intended to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in Vermont while still enabling the Commission to fulfill its statutory functions in a timely manner. 

Please be aware that, while the Commission continues to conduct business, the Commission’s office is closed to the public.  The Commission can be contacted via phone at 802-828-2358 or email at puc.clerk@vermont.gov.

Because the Commission’s office is closed to the public, FedEx, UPS, and courier services are not able to deliver to the Commission’s offices.  In addition, regular mail sent to the Commission’s office is only being picked up by a Commission employee twice a week. 

The Commission’s online filing system known as ePUC is operating normally; most filings can be made this way.  Information on how to use ePUC is available at: https://puc.vermont.gov/epuc-information.  See the Commission’s March 20, 2020, memorandum below for information on how to file in “legacy” paper cases.  See Commission Rule 2.226(B) for information on how to file confidential documents.  See the Commission's January 18, 2023, order below for information on how to file notices of appeal.

The Commission has posted all the orders and memoranda that it has issued related to changes to its operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic in ePUC in Case No. 20-0789-INV.  The Commission encourages stakeholders to subscribe to this case in ePUC to receive automatic notifications of any future orders issued by the Commission related to changes to its operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Instructions on how to subscribe to a case in ePUC are available at:  https://puc.vermont.gov/epuc-information/subscribe-case  If you need further assistance, please contact the ePUC system administrator at puc.ePUCadmin@vermont.gov.

All Commission orders and parties' filings related to the Commission's temporary moratorium on involuntary utility disconnections can be found in Case No. 20-0703-PET in ePUC.

Documents Issued by the Commission That Still Govern Changes to the Commission's Operations

  • August 10, 2021 -  Order Announcing Further Updates to Public Utility Commission's Work Practices
  • October 7, 2020 - Guidance for Participating in Remote Public Hearings
  • July 9, 2020  - Order Providing Guidance for Exhibit Numbers
  • June 18, 2020  - Guidance for Participating in Remote Evidentiary Hearings

List of Substantive Documents Issued by the Commission Related to COVID-19, Including Documents That Are No Longer in Effect

To see the documents listed below, click on the case number.  Then when ePUC opens in a new tab, click on the "Commission-Issued Documents" tab.

  • 20-0789-INV
    • January 18, 2023 - Order Reinstating Guidance on Filing Notices of Appeal With the Commission
    • October 28, 2022 - Order Extending Applicability of Guidance on Making Certain Fillings Until Revised Version of Commission Rule 2.000 Takes Effect.
    • April 1, 2022 - Order Extending Applicability of Guidance on Making Certain Filings Through October 3, 2022
    • February 24, 2022  - Order Granting Extension of Commissioning Deadlines
    • February 1, 2022 - Order Requesting Comments on Requests to Extend Commissioning Deadlines
    • December 3, 2021 -  Order Extending Applicability of Guidance on Making Certain Filings Through April 5, 2022
    • June 18, 2021 -  Order Announcing Updates to Public Utility Commission's Work Practices
    • May 13, 2021 -  Order Announcing Commission Will Decide Whether to Hold Site Visits on a Case-by-Case Basis
    • April 13, 2021 -  Order Extending Applicability of Guidance on Making Certain Filings Through October 10, 2021 and Confirming that the Commission Does Not Intend to Hold Site Visits Through June 30, 2021
    • December 10, 2020 -  Order Granting Further Extension of Commissioning Deadlines
    • October 15, 2020 -  Order Extending Applicability of Guidance on Making Certain Filings and Confirming that Commission Does Not Intend to Hold Site Visits Through April 13, 2021
    • July 30, 2020  - Order re Interconnection Agreement Execution Deadlines
    • July 30, 2020   - Order Clarifying Commission Processing of Expedited Requests
    • July 9, 2020  - Order Providing Guidance for Exhibit Numbers
    • June 30, 2020 - Order Confirming that Commission Does Not Intend to Hold Site Visits Through October 27, 2020
    • June 30, 2020  - Order Clarifying Commission Processing of Expedited Requests
    • June 18, 2020  - Guidance for Participating in Remote Evidentiary Hearings
    • May 21, 2020 - Order Extending Applicability of Guidance on Making Certain Filings and Announcing That Commission Will Schedule Remote Public Hearings and Public Information Sessions
    • May 21, 2020  - Order Granting Further Extension of Commissioning Deadlines and Seeking Comments on Request to Extend Interconnection Agreement Execution Deadlines
    • May 1, 2020 - Order Confirming Commission Will Not Hold Public Hearings, Site Visits, or Public Information Sessions Through the End of May 2020
    • April 30, 2020 - Rule 2.500 - COVID-19 Emergency Procedures
    • April 23, 2020  - Order re Filing of Notices of Appeal During COVID-19 Outbreak
    • April 17, 2020  - Order Clarifying Order re Certificates of Public Good and Governor's Emergency Declaration
    • April 16, 2020  - Order re Certificates of Public Good and Governor's Emergency Declaration
    • April 7, 2020 - Memorandum Regarding Access to Grand Lists for Identifying Adjoining Landowners
    • March 31, 2020  - Order re Filing of Confidential Documents
    • March 27, 2020 - Order Granting Extension of Commissioning Deadlines
    • March 26, 2020 - Order Waiving Two Procedural Requirements That Require Close Personal Contact
  • 20-0703-INV
    • June 24, 2021  - Order Ending the Temporary Disconnection Moratorium on July 15, 2021, and Requiring Consumer Protections When the Moratorium Is Lifted
    • May 24, 2021 -  Order Extending Disconnection Moratorium Until June 30, 2021
    • March 31, 2021 -  Order Extending Ban on Utility Disconnections
    • March 29, 2021 - Order Extending Disconnection Moratorium
    • December 22, 2020 - Order Reinstating the Temporary Moratorium on Disconnection
    • October 8, 2020 - Order Ending the Temporary Disconnection Moratorium and Ordering Protections for Utility Customers Facing Economic Hardships
    • September 23, 2020 - Order Extending Disconnection Moratorium and Allowing for Response Comments from the Department of Public Service
    • July 30, 2020 - Order Extending Temporary Moratorium on Involuntary Utility Disconnections
    • May 28, 2020 - Order Extending Moratorium and Requesting Utility Plans
    • April 23, 2020 - Order Extending Temporary Moratorium on Involuntary Utility Service Disconnections
    • March 27, 2020 - Order Expanding Temporary Moratorium on Involuntary Utility Service Disconnection to Non-Residential Ratepayers and Certain Water Companies and Establishing Additional Process
    • March 18, 2020 - Order Granting Temporary Moratorium on Involuntary Natural Gas, Electric, and Telecommunications Service Disconnection
  • 23-3338-RULE
    • September 25, 2023 - Revised Rule 2.500 - COVID-19 Emergency Procedures
  • 23-0996-RULE
    • March 29, 2023-Revised Rule 2.500 - COVID-19 Emergency Procedures
  • 22-4288-RULE
    • September 30, 2022 - Revised Rule 2.500 - COVID-19 Emergency Procedures
  • 22-1210- RULE
    • April 5, 2021 - Revised Rule 2.500 - COVID-19 Emergency Procedures
  • 21-4137-RULE
    • October 7, 2021- Revised Rule 2.500 - COVID-19 Emergency Procedures
  • 21-1398-RULE
    • April 13, 2021 - Revised Rule 2.500 - COVID-19 Emergency Procedures
  • 20-3128-RULE
    • October 15, 2020 - Rule 2.500 - COVID-19 Emergency Procedures
  • 20-1094-RULE
    • April 30, 2020 - Rule 2.500 - COVID-19 Emergency Procedures
  • 22-2540-RULE
    • July 1, 2022 - Revised Rule 2.600 - COVID-19 Emergency Disconnection Rule
  • 22-0013-RULE
    • January 3, 2022 - Revised Rule 2.600 - COVIC-19 Emergency Disconnection Rule
  • 21-2441-RULE
    • October 8, 2021 -  Order Approving Certain Revisions to Disconnection Notice Forms
    • July 9, 2021 - Revised Rule 2.600 - COVID-19 Emergency Disconnection Rule
  • 20-3113-RULE
    • October 15, 2020 - Rule 2.600 - COVID-19 Emergency Disconnection Rule
  • March 20, 2020 Memorandum re Changes to Public Utility Commission Operations Due to COVID-19 Outbreak