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Electric
The Burlington Electric
Department (BED), a municipally-owned electric utility formed in 1905,
serves more than 18,000 commercial and residential customers within the City of
Burlington. BED is the largest consumer-owned electric utility in Vermont
and one of the largest in New England. Ownership by ratepayers has many
benefits, such as:
- Lower rates because of its not-for-profit status;
- Local control over energy issues and policies affecting the community; and
- The needs of ratepayers being the first, and only concern.
BED, an award-winning leader in energy efficiency program design and
implementation, has a range of commercial and residential programs designed to
save money and energy for its customers and to help protect the
environment. BED's staff of energy services professional works directly
with business owners to help tailor energy efficiency programs to meet their
needs and improve their bottom line. The Burlington Electric Department
works hard to save its customers energy and money by emphasizing superior
customer service and energy efficiency programs for all its customers.
In 1990, voters approved an $11.3 million bond to fund energy efficiency
programs. Since that bond was passed:
- $16 million has been spent on energy efficiency, resulting in about 16,000
energy efficiency installations in homes and businesses;
- Estimated customer savings of over $4.3 million annually;
- Additional savings when BED needs to buy less power in the future because
of its successful energy efficiency programs;
- Electricity demand has declined by 18 percent; and in environmental terms,
the program has saved more than 36,000 tons of carbon dioxide (a greenhouse
gas) from being released into the air - which translates into 541,000 tons
saved over the life of the projects completed to date.
BED will continue to improve the business climate of Burlington by working on
and promoting new and existing energy technologies that advance energy savings
and lower long-term power costs.
Telecommunications
Given the competitive retail service provider market, businesses can
expect the highest quality, state-of-the-art telecommunications services
available. Providers utilize the most recent technology to deliver
broadband access to their customers while providing excellent customer
service. However, companies who locate in Burlington also have a
remarkably wide variety of telecommunications options. In addition to
the incumbent telephone companies, Verizon and Cable TV company,
Adelphia (which offers business services as well as standard cable TV),
there are four competitive telecom companies (CLECs), SoverNet, CTC/Lightship,
TelCove, and perhaps most exciting and unusual, the City-owned
Fiber-to-the-Premise network which provides state-of-the-art ultra
broadband service to every premise within the City limits. This cutting
edge network provides "triple play" services (cable tv, telephone and
high-speed internet) to Burlington residents and businesses. It is also
able to provide a level of service to businesses far beyond that
normally available over traditional infrastructure at prices which are a
fraction of those which normally prevail in the market. (See
www.burlingtontelecom.net)
The gap between the capability and prices of Burlington Telecom and
those normally available is so large that they can constitute a major
competitive advantage for those kinds of businesses which depend on
ultra-high speed connections to the rest of the world.
Auto Insurance
Policy premiums for auto insurance cost less in Burlington than in
surrounding communities such as Richmond and Hinesburg. For companies with
motor fleets or employees who relocate to Burlington, these annual savings
become significant over time.
Water & Wastewater
The Burlington Public Works
Department (DPW) provides water and wastewater services in the City.
DPW has changed rates to become more business friendly. Block rates are
available which lower rates for large water users (more than 40,000 cubic feet
per year). In addition, DPW's economic development rate is available for
users of more than 100,000 cubic feet per year. It provides discounts for
a period of five years.
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