An advocacy group for older Vermonters is working hard to influence regulators’ decisions on a proposed utility merger.
AARP-Vermont continues to advertise about Green Mountain Power’s plan to take over and merge with Central Vermont Public Service.
The group Thursday delivered petitions with the signatures of 15,000 customers of CVPS.
AARP’s Vermont director is Greg Marchildon. He says CVPS ratepayers should get rebates for higher rates they paid a decade ago to help the utility out of a financial jam.
(Marchildon) "When ratepayers are at risk and promises aren’t kept, AARP intends to stand up for its members and their families, and that’s definitely what we’re doing here today."
The utility plan calls for Green Mountain Power’s parent company to buy Central Vermont and then merge the two utilities.
The Public Service Board is considering that proposal now.
AARP says the plan should only be approved if ratepayers get the refunds that the group says are due to them.