FACT SHEET
Electric Transmission & Distribution System

High voltage transmission and distribution lines are integral and critical components of the electric system. The electric transmission and distribution system comprises an interconnected group of electric lines and associated equipment for moving electricity between generating facilities and customers.

Electricity is first produced at generating facilities (also known as power plants) from a wide range of sources, including fossil fuels, nuclear power, water, wind, and solar, among others. Electricity is then sent to “step-up” transformers where low-voltage electricity is changed to high voltage to facilitate the transfer of power from the power plant to the customer. Voltage must be increased so that the electric current has the "push" it needs to efficiently travel long distances.

From the step-up transformer, transmission lines carry the high voltage electric current long distances through thick wires mounted on tall towers that keep the transmission lines high above the ground. Insulators made of porcelain or polymers are used to prevent the electricity from leaving the transmission lines. Transmission lines are categorized in terms of the amount of electrical pressure they can carry or “volts.” In Vermont, transmission lines typically range in voltage levels from 34,500 volts, or 34.5 kilovolts (kV) to 345 kV.

High-voltage transmission lines carry the electric current to substations where the voltage is lowered so it that can be distributed locally on smaller power lines known as distribution lines. Distribution line voltage levels are typically 4 kV or 12 kV.

These voltages are reduced one last time at smaller pole-top transformers to utilization voltages, typically 120 and 240- volts, to make the power safe to use in our homes.

DOCKET 7032
CASE SCHEDULE

02.09.05
Public hearing

02.18.05
Deadline for intervention requests

03.10.05
Site visit

03.18.05
Last date for filing discovery requests on petitioners

03.28.05
Last date for petitioners’ prefiled direct testimony and exhibits

04.11.05
All parties other than petitioners prefile direct testimony and exhibits

05.02.05
Last day to serve discovery on April 11 prefiled testimony and exhibits

05.12.05
Last day for discovery responses

05.23.05
All parties prefile rebuttal testimony and exhibits

06.03.05
Last day to serve discovery on rebuttal prefiled testimony and exhibits

06.13.05
Last day for responses to rebuttal discovery

06.27.05
All parties prefile surrebuttal testimony and exhibits

07.06.05
Technical hearing

07.07.05
Technical hearing

07.08.05
Technical hearing

07.18.05 (week of)
Technical hearings

08.08.05
Briefs due

08.22.05
Reply briefs due

10.19.05
Proposal for decision issued

11.04.05
Comments due on proposal for decision

12.07.05
Oral argument on proposal for decision

BOARD SCHEDULING ORDER (PDF)

SCHEDULE CHANGE MEMO OF 04.14.05 (PDF)