New Rates & Temporary Energy Assistance Program

 

Rates and Energy Assistance Update for Fiscal Year 2023

As customers know, last year Burlington Electric Department had our first rate increase in 12 years, coming out of the pandemic. At that time, we committed to our customers that, while we likely would need more frequent rate changes going forward, we would seek to have them be more moderate compared to last year’s 7.5 percent.

This year, we are proposing a 3.95 percent rate change, which would take effect as a surcharge on customer bills starting in August 2022. This rate change is significantly lower than current inflation rates. We were able to reduce upward rate pressure this year because of our Net Zero Energy Revenue Bond providing an important financing source for key infrastructure projects, and through recent strong performance from our renewable generation plants, including the McNeil Generating Station. The proposed rate change will help Burlington Electric continue to provide the reliable power on which our community depends and to invest in our infrastructure and workforce.

At the same time, we want to ensure that we provide support for our low-income customers who need assistance. That is why last year we launched our first-ever temporary Energy Assistance Program. This year, starting in July, we are boosting our Energy Assistance Program to provide a 12.5 percent discount for eligible participating customers. This will more than offset the rate changes from last year and this year combined.

BED continues to encourage our low-income customers who are enrolled in the State of Vermont Fuel Assistance Program or federal Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program to apply for BED’s Energy Assistance Program using the form below.

Further, we encourage customers to learn about opportunities to save energy and money through efficiency measures by connecting with our Energy Services team for a free consultation.

Contact Energy Services

Energy Assistance Program

BED Energy Assistance Program

Terms & Conditions

  • Eligibility is available to low-income customers, defined as those customers who currently are participating in the State of Vermont Fuel Assistance Program or federal Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program.
  • Customers accepted into the Energy Assistance Program will receive a bill credit of 12.5%.
  • Customers accepted into BED’s Energy Assistance Program who later no longer qualify for the State of Vermont Fuel Assistance Program or federal Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program are required to notify BED, as they no longer will be eligible for the BED's Energy Assistance Program.

If you have any questions, please feel free to Contact Us.

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Must be in Burlington, Vermont.

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Proof of Participation in State of Vermont Fuel Assistance Program or federal Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program

We will need one of the following:

  • Copy of home heating utility bill – gas, propane, oil (e.g. VGS bill stating “Assistance Prgrm 20% discount”)
  • Copy of State of Vermont paperwork demonstrating receipt of fuel assistance payment toward your heating with firewood or wood pellets
  • Copy of State of Vermont Notice of Decision of Eligibility for Fuel Assistance Program or federal Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program
  • Copy of Rent Adjustment Letter from a Public Housing Authority demonstrating receipt of rental assistance

One file only. 4 MB limit. Allowed types: txt doc docx pdf jpg gif png.

If you are unable to locate your Proof of Participation, contact your housing authority:

  • Burlington Housing Authority (802) 864-0538
  • Winooski Housing Authority (802) 655-2360
  • Vermont State Housing Authority (802) 828-3295

We will be able to process your request after we receive your proof of participation.

That is OK. A member of our team will be in touch with you after you submit this form.