Economic Development Services

Economic Development Incentive Program (EDIP):
This program offers incentive electrical rates for new or expanding industries that meet the eligibility criteria as outlined in the program. Rate discounts of up to 10 percent over a five-year period may apply.

The list of all 10 eligibility requirements is as follows:

1) The applicant must apply for and participate to the fullest extent possible in the applicable energy conservation programs of the Vermont Energy Efficiency Utility.

2) The applicant must certify in writing to both the company and to the Vermont Public Service Board that, but for the rate discounts provided by this program, the new or added electric load would not have been located within the company's electric service territory.

3) The applicant for this program must apply for all applicable state and local assistance programs in the community where the proposed electric load addition is expected to occur. The programs include such things as local community financing, employee training, tax stabilization, and relocation assistance.

4) The new electric load for which this program is requested must be of a type that is not constrained by the requirements to be in a particular location. This test can be met if at least 50 percent of the output of the facility is sold outside the state of Vermont or if the operation falls predominately within Standard Industrial Classification groups 20 through 39.

5) The cost of electric service prior to the billing credits associated with this program is expected to constitute 2 percent or more of the total value of the output produced by the facilities.

6) The applicant must be a new customer of the company, an existing customer expanding at a facility currently operated by the customer, or an existing customer moving from currently unsuitable facilities in Vermont.

7) The new or incremental load to which the billing credits are applicable must have billing demand of at least 100 kW or incremental energy requirements of at least 40,000 kWh per month for billing purposes.

8) The applicant must apply for service under this program at least 60 days prior to a decision or commitment to construct, purchase, or lease new or additional space or new electrical equipment that will result in additional electric load.

9) The applicant must certify the number of new jobs to be associated with the new electric load. The certification, which must be supplied to the Public Service Board and to the Vermont Department of Public Service, must be provided by a regional economic development corporation or the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development.

10) The applicant is required to be located so as to require no significant additional investment in utility facilities by the company.

For further information about this program, please contact CVPS at 1-800-649-2877, or e-mail cicweb@cvps.com.

Special Contracts:
For many years, CVPS has been in the forefront of designing rates that reflect the actual costs of providing service. We have supplemented our rates with special contracts that allow reduced prices for customers who have the ability to interrupt or reduce their service requirements when requested.

CVPS offers various types of special contracts to meet the special needs of qualifying customers. The goal of this program is to tailor special arrangements to individual customers whose needs may not be adequately provided for by tariff service. Such contracts seek to increase the value of energy services consumed by customers. CVPS will analyze special arrangements that fit into existing contract types or develop entirely new types of contracts, where appropriate, as the need arises. Such agreements are currently contingent on approval by the Vermont Public Service Board.

Permitting Assistance:
CVPS will act as facilitator for new industry by providing assistance in guiding you through Vermont's permitting process. We also supply expert witnesses and testimony for hearings. This has been very well received by our clients and has been invaluable in helping them through the permitting process.

Site Location Assistance:
CVPS believes that in order to fulfill our mission, we must assist potential customers in finding available buildings and/or sites for their facilities or operations. We will work with a potential customer's individual requirements on a confidential basis and review the industrial parks, incubator buildings, available manufacturing facilities, and raw land to identify suitable sites.