STOWE, VT – Today, Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Stowe Electric Department (SED), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development (RD) celebrated the awarding of $6 million in federal funding to support energy initiatives in Stowe, Vermont. This funding, from the USDA’s Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) program, will strengthen rural communities by expanding access to clean, renewable energy.
The $6 million investment is part of the USDA’s $1 billion allocation for rural energy initiatives, made possible by the historic, bipartisan Inflation Reduction Act. The PACE program is the largest rural electrification investment since the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, helping reduce energy costs and improve infrastructure while prioritizing clean energy solutions.
Stowe Electric, which serves over 4,600 customers in central Vermont, including rural households and businesses, will use this funding to upgrade its electric grid and enhance access to renewable energy sources.
“We are so excited and grateful for the opportunity this funding provides to the Stowe community,” said Jackie Pratt, General Manager of Stowe Electric. “The USDA PACE award will enable Stowe Electric to make critical infrastructure upgrades while minimizing out-of-pocket costs for our ratepayers. Implementation of these projects will help prepare Stowe Electric to support an equitable clean energy transition for all members of our community.”
How the Funding Will Be Used
A portion of the funding will go towards a variety of critical infrastructure projects aimed at improving the resiliency, reliability, and sustainability of the electric grid in central Vermont. Notable projects include:
Express Circuit – This project will provide redundancy for supplying service to Mountain Rd. in the event of an outage on Stowe Electric's sub-transmission line. It will improve system resiliency and restoration times and allow SED staff to make future repairs and improvements to the sub-transmission line without interrupting service.
Distribution Automation Loop Feed – This upgrade will implement automated switching technology to enhance the resiliency of the electric grid and improve restoration times in the event of an outage. It will also provide more robust infrastructure to support Stowe High School, which serves as an emergency shelter.
Weeks Hill to Percy Hill 3-Phase – This project will replace aging infrastructure and enable a loop feed system that improves resiliency and speeds up restoration times.
Emergency Operations Center – The funding will help renovate the "millwright's office" at Stowe Electric’s headquarters to house an emergency operations center, office space, and hydro facility controls, ensuring the utility can quickly respond to any service disruptions or emergencies.
Moscow Mills Solar – This investment will support renewable energy generation at Stowe Electric’s headquarters, contributing to the utility’s efforts to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Smith’s Falls Hydro – This project will involve micro-hydro generation and dam restoration at Stowe Electric’s headquarters, aligning with Vermont’s Renewable Energy Standard and facilitating local, renewable energy generation. This renewable generation resource will provide on-bill credits for low income customers, lowering the energy burden for those least able to afflow-incomeord. Dam upgrades will also enhance flood response capabilities in Moscow Village.
Mountain Line Hardening and Undergrounding – Funding will improve resiliency of the 34.5kV sub-transmission line that serves Mountain Rd. and high-density areas of our community. This project will help shorten restoration times and foster economic development in areas critical to the Lamoille County workforce and popular tourism destinations in Stowe.
Key Roundtable Discussion
A closed-press roundtable discussion was held before the press conference which included Senator Peter Welch, USDA Rural Utilities Service Administrator Andy Berke, and Stowe Electric Department General Manager Jackie Pratt. The conversation, moderated by USDA Rural Development (RD) State Director Sarah Waring, also included professionals from the rural utilities sector, including:
Ethan Hinch, Policy Advisor, Sen. Sanders’ Office
Jackie Pratt, General Manager, Stowe Electric
Michael Lazorchak, Regulatory Affairs Manager, Stowe Electric
Chris Carey, Architect and Owner, CCC
Lindsay Ashworth, Engineer and Owner, Small Hydro Consulting, LLC
Brian Cote, Engineer, SLR
Seth Jenson, Deputy Director, Lamoille County Planning Commission
Sara Teachout, Vice Chair, Stowe Electric Commission
Each participant offered insights into how USDA initiatives have supported their work, discussing both successes and opportunities for program improvement.
Press Conference Highlights
Following the roundtable, a press conference provided the public with an opportunity to hear from key speakers about the impact of USDA programs on rural energy initiatives. The press conference featured:
Jackie Pratt, General Manager, Stowe Electric
Senator Peter Welch
Andy Berke, USDA RUS Administrator
Ethan Hinch Policy Advisor, Sen. Sanders’ Office
David Scherr, State Director for Congresswoman Becca Balint
Sarah Waring, USDA Rural Development State Director
Seth Jenson, Deputy Director, Lamoille County Planning Commission
Sara Teachout, Vice Chair, Stowe Electric Commission
A Positive Impact for Stowe and Vermont
The $6 million award is a significant step forward in supporting the future of energy in Vermont. For residents and businesses in Stowe and surrounding areas, these upgrades will improve the reliability and resilience of the electric grid, reduce energy costs, and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. By supporting projects like renewable energy generation at Stowe Electric Department’s headquarters and enhancing emergency preparedness, this funding helps ensure that the Stowe community—and Vermont as a whole—is better prepared for the challenges posed by climate change and increasing energy demands.
These investments are not just about improving infrastructure—they are about creating a more resilient, and equitable energy system for all Vermonters. The USDA's support of Stowe Electric Department through the PACE program is a crucial step in achieving Vermont’s clean energy goals, promoting local renewable energy generation, and helping rural communities thrive in the face of a changing energy landscape.
For additional information, please contact:
Caroline Klosowski
Business and Communications Manager
Stowe Electric Department
Phone: 802-253-1704
Email: Cklosowski@StoweElectric.com