Public Record Requests Database
The State of Vermont maintains a database of public record requests.
Policy Statement
It is the policy of the Public Utility Commission (Commission) to ensure the free and open examination of its records and to liberally construe the Public Records Act.
Records Custodian
The official custodian of the Commission’s records is Holly Anderson, (802) 828-2358.
Requests for Public Records
Requests may be submitted by email, phone, mail and in person. The easiest way to submit a request is by email to puc.clerk@vermont.gov.
Public Utility Commission
112 State Street, 4th Floor
Montpelier, VT 05620-2701
ATTN: Holly R. Anderson, Clerk of the Commission
(802) 828-2358
Most Commission records from recent years and Commission orders going back to the early 1970s are publicly available through the Commission's electronic document-management system, ePUC. If you would like to visit the Commission's office to inspect the Commission’s records, please contact the Clerk of the Commission at (802) 828-2358 to set up an appointment to inspect public records on any day other than a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, between the hours of 9 a.m.- 12 p.m. and 1-4 p.m.
Procedure
Upon request, the custodian or another Commission staff member will promptly produce the record for inspection, unless the record is exempt from public disclosure or is in storage and therefore not available for use at the time the person asks to examine it.
If the custodian or another Commission staff member considers the record to be exempt from inspection under the provisions of 1 V.S.A. § 317(c), they shall so certify in writing. Such certification shall identify the records withheld and state the basis for the denial. A record shall be produced for inspection or a certification shall be made that a record is exempt within three business days of receipt of the request, unless there are “unusual circumstances” that require an extension of time, up to ten business days, to respond to the records request.
Examples of “unusual circumstances” include: the need to search through voluminous records or the need to consult with another state agency such as the Attorney General's Office. Any such extension of time shall be provided in writing.
If a record does not exist, the custodian or another Commission staff member shall certify in writing that the record does not exist. If the custodian or another Commission staff member denies a records request, they shall provide a written certification identifying the records withheld and the statutory basis for the denial.
Appeal Process
If you believe you were wrongly denied a request for public records, you may appeal to the Chair of the Public Utility Commission. If email is not an option for you, please mail the request to: ATTN: Holly R. Anderson, Clerk of the Public Utility Commission, 112 State Street, 4th floor, Montpelier, VT 05620-2701.
The Chair shall make a determination with respect to any appeal within five business days after the receipt of the appeal. If an appeal of the denial of the request for records is upheld in whole or in part, the Chair shall notify the person making the request of the provisions for judicial review of that determination under 1 V.S.A. § 319.
Records Exempt from Disclosure
Please be aware that certain records are exempt from disclosure. These exemptions are listed in 1 V.S.A. § 317(c). For example, records of, or internal materials prepared for, the deliberations of the Commission in its quasi-judicial capacity are exempt from public disclosure under 1 V.S.A. § 317(c)(24).
Fees
In cases where the Commission is authorized to charge fees for the cost of providing public records, the Commission will follow the Secretary of State's Uniform Schedule of Public Record Charges for State Agencies.
Public Records Act
The Public Records Act is codified at 1 V.S.A. §§ 315 - 320. Below are links to the Legislature’s webpage for these statutes.
Subchapter 3: Access To Public Records
§ 315 Statement of policy: short title
§ 316 Access to public records and documents
§ 317 Definitions; public agency; public records and documents; exemptions
§ 317a Management of public records
§ 318 Procedure
§ 319 Enforcement
§ 320 Penalties