Dive Brief:

• Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin (D) wants the state to consider buying hydroelectric dams from TransCanada, following the company's announcement last month that it would sell its New England generation unit, according to Seven Days. 
• The seven-member Vermont Hydropower Working Group will be chaired by  Administration Secretary Justin Johnson, and is expected to render a decision on a full or partial acquisition "expeditiously," potentially within a few weeks.
• Shumlin said the state "missed an opportunity last time around to purchase these assets." TransCanada purchased the dams from USGen New England in 2005, according to the Associated Press.

Dive Insight:

Shumlin is pushing for a quick decision on whether or not the state should pursue ownership of TransCanada's hydroelectric dams, saying he thinks Vermont missed out the last time the assets were on the block.

“I feel like we missed an opportunity last time around to purchase these assets,” Shumlin said. “There is clearly an opportunity now to look at it again, and we have assembled some of the best and brightest minds in finance and energy to explore the opportunity to further secure our clean energy future and good power rates for Vermonters."

Shumlin said he expected the group to "move expeditiously to explore the purchase of these dams and move forward if it makes sense for Vermont.”

Chaired by Johnson, the other members include: Vermont Treasurer Beth Pearce; Michael Dworkin, director of the Energy Institute at Vermont Law School; Liz Gamache, the mayor of St. Albans and director of Efficiency Vermont; Linda McGinnis, former lead economist and senior manager for the World Bank, Energy Action Network; Tom Dunn, CEO and President of Vermont Electric Power Co.; and Vince Illuzzi, former state senator, now at attorney for Essex County.

​"I look forward to reviewing the recommendations from the working group on the purchase of the Connecticut River and Deerfield River dams,” said Senate President Pro Tem John Campbell. “This is a talented, diverse group of individuals and I have full confidence that it will diligently examine the issue. The dams provide clean, renewable energy and this could be a great opportunity for Vermonters in the future."

Green Mountain Power, one of the states's major power providers, had concerns about potential acquisition of hydro dams 13 years ago, Seven Days reports, but now supports the Shumlin administration's decision to evaluate this opportunity. 

Shumlin also pledged full access to technical and administrative assistance from the Agency of Administration, Vermont Public Service Department, Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development, and other state agencies. A recommendation is expected from the working group within a matter of weeks.