Residents react to Swanton Village Electric Department raising rates for first time in years
Swanton residents and business owners are beginning to feel the effects of a recent electric hike. Officials said it’s mostly because of the rip in the Highgate Dam bladder.”Everything’s going up,” said Vivan Brow. “I can’t afford another bill.”Brow lives in Highgate Springs, and her family owns Scampers in Swanton. She lives on a fixed income and says the rate increase hurts.”Electric goes up, washer dryer goes up and air conditioning will go up,” said Brow.The Swanton Village Electric Department is raising rates by more than 30%, effective as of May 1.”We are also deeply disappointed,” said Swanton Village Manager Bill Sheets. “We’re doing everything we can to mitigate that impact on our ratepayers.”Sheets also manages the electric department, and said the spike is mainly caused by the Highgate Dam failure in July 2025.When the dam’s bladder ripped, it lost most of its ability to produce electricity for residents.”That resulted in our requirement to go out on the open market and by 100% renewable energy,” said Sheets. “So, it changed the scenario for us and increased our cost significantly.”Owners of local restaurant Green Mountain Bistro said they’re doing everything they can to keep prices stable for the community’s sake.”Being creative with what we have on hand, and the more stuff that you kind of prep in-house and make fresh, believe it or not, is cheaper,” said co-owner Nate Munday.But Munday and his wife, Glenna, said this increase is happening as everything else is also going up.”People’s pay isn’t going up, but the increases, their taxes, property taxes, utilities, it’s all going up,” said Glenna Munday. “We don’t want to get to the point where everybody’s leaving Swanton.”Sheets said the village is hoping to replace part of the rubber dam that was lost until a more permanent solution is viable.In the meantime, Vermonters can apply to the acre relief program if they need help paying their bills.The Vermont Public Utility Commission is hosting a virtual public hearing on June 18, where the electric department will explain the rate increase.
Swanton residents and business owners are beginning to feel the effects of a recent electric hike. Officials said it’s mostly because of the rip in the Highgate Dam bladder.
“Everything’s going up,” said Vivan Brow. “I can’t afford another bill.”
Brow lives in Highgate Springs, and her family owns Scampers in Swanton. She lives on a fixed income and says the rate increase hurts.
“Electric goes up, washer dryer goes up and air conditioning will go up,” said Brow.
The Swanton Village Electric Department is raising rates by more than 30%, effective as of May 1.
“We are also deeply disappointed,” said Swanton Village Manager Bill Sheets. “We’re doing everything we can to mitigate that impact on our ratepayers.”
Sheets also manages the electric department, and said the spike is mainly caused by the Highgate Dam failure in July 2025.
When the dam’s bladder ripped, it lost most of its ability to produce electricity for residents.
“That resulted in our requirement to go out on the open market and by 100% renewable energy,” said Sheets. “So, it changed the scenario for us and increased our cost significantly.”
Owners of local restaurant Green Mountain Bistro said they’re doing everything they can to keep prices stable for the community’s sake.
“Being creative with what we have on hand, and the more stuff that you kind of prep in-house and make fresh, believe it or not, is cheaper,” said co-owner Nate Munday.
But Munday and his wife, Glenna, said this increase is happening as everything else is also going up.
“People’s pay isn’t going up, but the increases, their taxes, property taxes, utilities, it’s all going up,” said Glenna Munday. “We don’t want to get to the point where everybody’s leaving Swanton.”
Sheets said the village is hoping to replace part of the rubber dam that was lost until a more permanent solution is viable.
In the meantime, Vermonters can apply to the acre relief program if they need help paying their bills.
The Vermont Public Utility Commission is hosting a virtual public hearing on June 18, where the electric department will explain the rate increase.