Vermont Electricity Rates
Rate data for Vermont is being refreshed. The regulator and market facts below are current; figures return with the next data load.
Can you choose your electricity supplier in Vermont?
No. Vermont has not opened its residential electricity market to competition, so the utility that delivers your power also sells it. Its prices are set in rate cases before the Vermont Public Utility Commission, and the rate you pay depends on which utility serves your address, your rate schedule, and the season.
Grid operator: ISO New England. Wholesale power costs flow through to retail bills on the regulator's schedule rather than month to month, which is why regulated-state rates move more slowly than the market-based states listed below.
Want to shop for a supplier? Retail choice is open on this site in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington DC.
Vermont is the only New England state with no retail electricity choice, so a mover never shops for a supplier; instead the address picks one of 17 exclusive-territory utilities, and the same statewide PUC rules follow you everywhere (Rule 3.200's 2/12-of-annual-bill deposit cap with a credit-reference waiver, Rule 3.300's 10 °F winter shutoff ban) while the bill carries two charges strangers to the state have never seen, an Energy Efficiency Charge that funds the state's efficiency utilities (Efficiency Vermont, the country's first statewide efficiency utility, in most of the state and Burlington Electric in Burlington), and (at GMP) an Electric Assistance Program fee that funds a 25% discount for low-income neighbors.
Who will deliver your power in Vermont
The utility is fixed by your address. These are the largest in the state, with what each says it needs from a new customer.
Green Mountain Power (GMP)investor-owned
GMP says it serves about 277,000 residential and business customers in Vermont from headquarters in Colchester and Rutland, and the Department of Public Service calls it the state's one investor-owned utility, with more than 260,000 customers in the EIA data it cites. About about 277,000 residential and business customers (per GMP).
GMP says to start service in your name you must call (888) 835-4672 (call center Monday–Friday 7:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.) with the account number, meter number or current account-holder name at the address, the service location, your Social Security number or driver's license number, a phone number, mailing address and the date you need service; there is no same-day, weekend or holiday service, and a $20.00 charge to start new service. Residential Rate 1 is $0.660 per day plus $0.22639 per kWh for bills rendered on or after October 1, 2026.
Start service with Green Mountain Power →Sources: greenmountainpower.com, greenmountainpower.com, greenmountainpower.com, greenmountainpower.com, greenmountainpower.com, static.greenmountainpower.com, publicservice.vermont.gov
Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC)cooperative
VEC says it is Vermont's largest locally owned electric distribution utility, serving about 33,000 members and 40,726 meters across 75 communities in Addison, Caledonia, Chittenden, Essex, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille and Orleans counties, including Johnson, St. Albans, Newport, Swanton, Milton, Williston, Shelburne, Hinesburg, Richmond, Stowe and Derby. About approximately 33,000 members / 40,726 meters (per VEC).
VEC says anyone transferring or reconnecting an existing service should call Member Services at 802-635-2331 or 800-832-2667 (Monday–Friday 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.); its tariff sets an Initial Service Charge of $23.00 for a new customer with no site trip, $12.00 for an existing customer opening another account, or $80.00 if a trip is required, says accounts are established only during business hours, and says customer-requested connects and disconnects are done within four days of the request. Its tariff adopts PUC Rule 3.200 for deposits (no more than 2/12 of the estimated annual bill, waivable with a credit reference, payable in three installments). Residential service is $22.97 a month plus $0.11635 per kWh for the first 100 kWh and $0.23483 per kWh above that (effective 1/1/2026); new customers automatically become member-owners.
Start service with Vermont Electric Cooperative →Sources: vermontelectric.coop, vermontelectric.coop, vermontelectric.coop, vermontelectric.coop, vermontelectric.coop, vermontelectric.coop
Burlington Electric Department (BED)municipal
BED says it is Vermont's largest municipally owned electric utility, serving more than 21,800 customers as the exclusive electric provider for the City of Burlington (about 16 square miles) and Burlington International Airport in South Burlington. About more than 21,800 customers (per BED).
BED says anyone who has never had a BED account must call Customer Care at 802-865-7300 (office 585 Pine Street, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Monday–Friday); only returning customers with no unpaid balance can use the online request form, landlords use a Standing Order form to authorize tenants, and a stop-service form must be filed at least 2 weeks but no more than 4 weeks before the end date. Standard residential service is a $10.97 customer charge, $0.144424 per kWh for the first 100 kWh, $0.197435 per kWh above that, a $0.00907 per kWh Energy Efficiency Charge and a 3.5% city franchise fee; BED's example bill for 410 kWh is $92.86, and BED filed a 2.99% rate change for FY27, effective on bills rendered on or after October 1, 2026. Card payments carry a $3.50 fee.
Start service with Burlington Electric Department →Sources: burlingtonelectric.com, burlingtonelectric.com, burlingtonelectric.com, burlingtonelectric.com
Washington Electric Cooperative (WEC)cooperative
WEC, founded in 1939 and based at 40 Church Street, East Montpelier, says it provides electric service to members in 41 Vermont towns across its rural territory.
WEC says a mover must call a member service representative at 802-223-5245 or 1-800-932-5245 to transfer service, sign a membership application and pay a $20.00 membership fee plus a deposit unless they provide a satisfactory credit reference, in which case the deposit is waived. Its deposit policy sets the deposit at 2/12 of the annual usage at the service point (seasonal customers pay one half of the estimated seasonal charge or 2/12 of a year, whichever is greater), payable in three installments, waivable with a bank reference, a two-year good-credit letter from another utility, or a written guarantee from a WEC member in good standing, and refunded with interest after the twelfth billing. Residential rates effective 1/1/2025 are a $30.76 monthly customer charge, $0.09841 per kWh for the first 100 kWh and $0.24556 per kWh above that; bills are due within 30 days of mailing.
Start service with Washington Electric Cooperative →Sources: washingtonelectric.coop, washingtonelectric.coop, washingtonelectric.coop, washingtonelectric.coop, washingtonelectric.coop
Stowe Electric Department (SED)municipal
Stowe Electric, an enterprise division of the Town of Stowe since 1996 and a public power provider since 1911, serves the community of Stowe from 435 Moscow Road (802-253-7215, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Monday–Friday) and said it served 4,448 residential and commercial customers as of May 31, 2022. About 4,448 residential and commercial customers as of May 31, 2022 (per Stowe Electric).
Stowe Electric's Service Application must be completed and submitted by the property owner with identification (a copy of the owner's driver's license, or a federal tax ID for a business) under its Identity Theft Prevention Program, one form per service and meter; temporary services carry a $60.00 set-up charge billed to the first bill. Residential Rate 01, effective for service on or after August 1, 2026, is a $20.56 monthly customer charge, $0.1153 per kWh for the first 76 kWh and $0.2375 per kWh above that, with a 1% monthly late charge; the 14.6% increase behind it (SED's first in three and a half years) is under PUC review in Case 26-1130-TF, and SED says customers will be refunded the difference if the PUC approves less.
Start service with Stowe Electric Department →Sources: stoweelectric.com, stoweelectric.com, stoweelectric.com, stoweelectric.com, stoweelectric.com, stoweelectric.com
Deposits, ID, and supplier choice in Vermont
Deposits. PUC Rule 3.200 applies to every Vermont electric utility: a deposit may be required only when an applicant for a primary residence presents a credit risk and cannot show creditworthiness (a bank reference showing a year-old checking account never overdrawn, a letter from a utility inside or outside Vermont showing two years of good credit, a written third-party guarantee, or another reasonable demonstration); it may not exceed 2/12 of the reasonably estimated charge for the next twelve months (seasonal customers: one half of the season or 2/12 of a year, whichever is greater); the utility must offer to take it in three equal payments (one third now, one third within 30 days, one third within 60 days), tell you how it was calculated and that you can dispute it with the Department of Public Service, pay simple interest at the Commission's annual rate (5% for 2026), and refund it with interest after twelve consecutive months without a disconnection and no more than three disconnection notices. Utilities must give a letter of good credit within three working days on request if you had no more than one disconnection notice in the last year and no disconnection in two years. (puc.vermont.gov)
Choosing a supplier. No. The Department of Public Service says Vermont is the only New England state that chose not to restructure its electric industry by adopting retail competition; its 17 electric distribution utilities (one investor-owned, 14 municipal, two cooperatives) are regulated monopolies, each operating under a Certificate of Public Good with an exclusive service territory, so your address decides your utility and there is no supplier to shop for. Sources: https://publicservice.vermont.gov/regulated-utilities/electric ; https://puc.vermont.gov/electric
PUC Rule 3.300 governs disconnection of residential electric service statewide: a bill is delinquent 30 days after it is mailed, written notice must come 14 to 20 days before the earliest shutoff date, shutoffs happen between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on a business day (Monday–Thursday, not before a holiday or closure), or until 5:00 p.m. if the utility staffs reconnections until 8:00 p.m., no disconnection may occur when the Burlington-area forecast falls below 10 °F in the next 48 hours between November 1 and March 31 (32 °F for households with a member aged 62 or older who have told the utility in writing), every utility must offer a budget billing plan based on 12 months' average use, a physician's certificate of an immediate and serious health hazard blocks disconnection for 30 days (up to two consecutive, three per year), and service must be restored within 24 hours once you pay half the delinquency (or less if negotiated) and agree to a repayment plan of at least three months. Billing disputes go to the Department of Public Service Consumer Affairs and Public Information Division at 1-800-622-4496 (7:45 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday). Vermont's average retail electricity price across all sectors was 18.41 cents per kWh in 2024, 10th highest in the nation, per EIA.
Sources: puc.vermont.gov, puc.vermont.gov, puc.vermont.gov, puc.vermont.gov, puc.vermont.gov, puc.vermont.gov, puc.vermont.gov, publicservice.vermont.gov, publicservice.vermont.gov, publicservice.vermont.gov, eia.gov
Help paying an electric bill in Vermont
Seasonal Fuel Assistance (Vermont's LIHEAP)
Vermont Department for Children and Families, Economic Services Division (1-800-479-6151)
DCF says you may be eligible if gross monthly household income is at or below 185% of the federal poverty level ($2,461 for one person, $5,088 for four, in the 2026–2027 guidelines), whether you own or rent and whether you pay for heat directly or as part of rent; the state pays part of your heating bills, active households also get free weatherization, and you apply online through myBenefits, by mail (1-800-479-6151), in person at a district office, or with the fuel-only form 201SF. The federal LIHEAP Clearinghouse lists FY2026 Vermont heating benefits of $21 to $2,089, a winter crisis maximum of $2,479.64, and 23,293 households served for heating in FY2024.
Sources: dcf.vermont.gov, dcf.vermont.gov, liheapch.acf.gov
Vermont DCF Economic Services Division, applied for through local Community Action Agencies
DCF says households at or below 200% of the federal poverty level ($2,660 a month for one person in 2026–2027) who are in a heating crisis can get help buying their primary heating fuel, paying for electricity needed to run the heating system, negotiating payment plans and working with the electric or gas company to prevent disconnection; applications for metered fuels such as electricity run from the last Monday in November to the last regular working day in April, in person at your Community Action Agency (call first), with weekend and holiday lines at 1-800-479-6151 for elderly, disabled or under-6 households and 1-866-331-7741 for out-of-fuel emergencies.
Sources: dcf.vermont.gov, dcf.vermont.gov
Weatherization Assistance Program
Vermont DCF Office of Economic Opportunity, delivered by BROC, Capstone, CVOEO, NETO and SEVCA
DCF says you may be eligible if you have not received free weatherization in the past 15 years and either meet the income limits, are an active Seasonal Fuel Assistance household, have someone receiving SSI, or had an adult on Reach Up in the past 12 months; the free services average about $10,000 of improvements per home, add about 1,500 square feet of insulation and cut drafts about 40%. Apply with your regional agency's application form.
Source: dcf.vermont.gov
Green Mountain Power Energy Assistance Program (25% discount)
Vermont DCF Economic Services Division on GMP's behalf (1-800-775-0516)
DCF says residential GMP customers with gross monthly household income at or below 185% of the federal poverty level get a 25% discount off the monthly charges for the energy they use, may have a past-due bill forgiven when new to the program, and must reapply every year; apply with form 201UDI mailed with a copy of your latest electric bill to ADPC – Economic Services Division, 280 State Drive, Waterbury VT 05671-1500. GMP's help center lists the program alongside payment arrangements, budget billing and Community Action Agency referrals, and GMP's net-metering FAQ lists the Electric Assistance Program fee among the non-bypassable charges on bills.
Sources: dcf.vermont.gov, greenmountainpower.com, greenmountainpower.com, liheapch.acf.gov
Burlington Electric Department Energy Assistance Program (12.5% discount)
Burlington Electric Department (802-865-7300)
BED says income-qualified residential customers at or below 185% of the federal poverty level ($27,861 a year for one person, $57,720 for four) receive a 12.5% credit on energy and customer charges, verified by proof of Vermont Seasonal Fuel Assistance, 3SquaresVT, VGS Energy Assistance or Section 8; its tariff (effective December 17, 2025) also automatically enrolls customers on DCF's Seasonal Fuel Assistance list, and BED offers a 12-month budget payment plan.
Sources: burlingtonelectric.com, burlingtonelectric.com, burlingtonelectric.com
Affordable Community Renewable Energy (ACRE) bill credits for co-op and municipal customers
Washington Electric Co-op and Vermont Electric Co-op (applications reviewed by DCF); Vermont Public Power Supply Authority for Stowe and 12 other municipal utilities
The Department of Public Service says WEC and VEC members at or below 185% of the federal poverty level can get a monthly discount of up to $45 for up to five years through ACRE, with enrollment limited; WEC's page says its program is fully subscribed until further notice. Stowe Electric says VPPSA's ACRE community solar gives qualifying residential customers of Stowe, Barton, Enosburg Falls, Hardwick, Hyde Park, Jacksonville, Johnson, Ludlow, Lyndon, Morrisville, Northfield, Orleans and Swanton a $29.55 monthly bill credit for 60 months at no cost, with applications open through December 31, 2026 (email rebates@vppsa.com).
Sources: publicservice.vermont.gov, washingtonelectric.coop, stoweelectric.com, dcf.vermont.gov
WARMTH emergency fund, Vermont 211 and Community Action Agencies
WARMTH via CVOEO and Vermont's five Community Action Agencies; Vermont 211 statewide referral
The Department of Public Service (which gives no direct financial aid itself) points customers to Vermont 211 and to Community Action Agencies for help with bills, especially after a disconnection notice; the LIHEAP Clearinghouse and WEC describe WARMTH as a donation-funded last-resort fund for households that have run out of heating fuel or face electric disconnection and have exhausted other help, applied for at any Community Action Agency. VEC publishes a county-by-county list of these agencies and DCF district offices.
Sources: publicservice.vermont.gov, liheapch.acf.gov, washingtonelectric.coop, vermontelectric.coop
Programs that change what you pay
- Rooftop solar (net metering)available
- The PUC regulates net metering under Rule 5.100 and approves each utility's net-metering tariff; customers need a Certificate of Public Good (systems up to 15 kW register through ePUC), may form groups within one utility's territory, and the PUC's May 29, 2026 order in case 26-0291-INV adjusted compensation for the 2026 biennial update. GMP says excess credits expire after one year and cannot pay non-bypassable charges (customer charge, Energy Efficiency Charge, Electric Assistance Program fee), and that since 2025 group systems must sit on the same or an adjacent parcel; Stowe says credits remain for up to 12 months.
Source: puc.vermont.gov
- Community solarlimited
- VEC's Co-op Community Solar lets members pay up front to sponsor panels on VEC arrays in Alburgh, Grand Isle and Hinesburg (about 7.1 MW) for a fixed, guaranteed monthly bill credit for 10 years, transferable to another VEC member or partly refundable if you leave, and the income-qualified ACRE program (WEC/VEC up to $45 a month for five years; VPPSA municipals including Stowe $29.55 a month for 60 months) is funded by the State of Vermont at no cost to participants.
Source: vermontelectric.coop
- Time-of-use ratesavailable
- GMP offers optional residential Rate 11 Time-of-Use ($0.876/day; $0.35949 per kWh for eight consecutive peak hours between 1:00 and 9:00 p.m. weekdays, $0.15322 off-peak), Rate 9 Critical Peak Pricing ($0.92123 per kWh on up to ten summer critical-peak days noon–8 p.m., $0.21742 otherwise) and Rate 14 combining both, and moves any Rate 1 home averaging more than 7,600 kWh a month onto Rate 11. BED's Residential Time-of-Use (RT) rate has an $18.29 customer charge with tail-block prices of $0.301209 (summer peak), $0.304963 (winter peak) and $0.144893 (off-peak) per kWh, and Stowe's Residential TOU Rate 03 (effective August 1, 2026) prices winter peak at $0.4699 and off-peak at $0.1616 per kWh.
Source: greenmountainpower.com
- efficiencyUtilityavailable
- Vermont was the first state to create a statewide energy efficiency utility: the PUC has appointed Efficiency Vermont (operated by the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation, 1-888-921-5990) to deliver efficiency services in most of the state, with Burlington Electric covering Burlington and Vermont Gas covering gas customers, funded by an Energy Efficiency Charge (EEC) on electric bills (for example $0.00907 per kWh on BED residential bills in 2026).
Source: puc.vermont.gov
- heatPumpIncentivesavailable
- Efficiency Vermont's 2026 ductless heat pump offer is a $375 (≤2 tons) or $475 (>2 tons) instant discount at participating distributors plus $600 for integrated controls, with an income bonus of $2,200 for GMP low-income customers, $1,000 for VPPSA municipal customers and $200 for others (not Burlington). GMP's own page says customers at or below 80% of Area Median Income (for example $69,850 for one person in Chittenden, Franklin and Grand Isle counties) save $2,000 per condenser through Efficiency Vermont's form; BED runs its own program with $2,100–$2,500 online rebates (plus $400–$500 income-qualified) capped at 75% of installed cost and warns gas-heated homes may pay more; VEC and WEC offer no separate mini-split rebate beyond VEC's possible $150 thermal bonus, and Stowe says income-eligible customers get an additional bonus on top of each incentive.
Source: efficiencyvermont.com
Questions people ask before moving to Vermont
How far ahead should I set up electricity before moving to Vermont?
Green Mountain Power does not publish a lead time but says there is no same-day, weekend or holiday service and you must call (888) 835-4672 on a weekday; Vermont Electric Co-op's tariff commits to customer-requested connections within four days of the request, and only during business hours. Burlington Electric asks new customers to call 802-865-7300 and requires stop-service forms 2 to 4 weeks ahead, so call ahead rather than on moving day.
Sources: greenmountainpower.com, vermontelectric.coop, burlingtonelectric.com
Will I have to pay a deposit or fee to start electric service in Vermont?
Statewide PUC Rule 3.200 lets a utility ask for a deposit only if you cannot show creditworthiness (a bank reference, a two-year good-credit letter from your old utility, or a guarantor), caps it at 2/12 of your estimated annual bill, requires the option of three installments, and refunds it with interest (5% in 2026) after 12 months of good payment. Fees differ by utility: GMP charges $20.00 to start new service, Washington Electric charges a $20.00 membership fee and waives its 2/12 deposit with a satisfactory credit reference, and Vermont Electric Co-op's initial service charge is $23.00 for a new customer ($80.00 if a site trip is needed).
Sources: puc.vermont.gov, puc.vermont.gov, greenmountainpower.com, washingtonelectric.coop, vermontelectric.coop
Can I choose my electricity supplier in Vermont?
No. The Department of Public Service says Vermont is the only New England state that did not restructure for retail competition, and the PUC says each of the 17 distribution utilities has an exclusive service territory, so your address determines whether you are served by Green Mountain Power, one of the two co-ops, or one of 14 municipal departments. Use the Department's interactive service territory map to find out which.
Sources: publicservice.vermont.gov, puc.vermont.gov, publicservice.vermont.gov
What will electricity cost me each month in Vermont?
It depends on which utility serves you: GMP's Rate 1 is $0.660 a day plus $0.22639 per kWh (October 2026); Burlington Electric's standard rate is $10.97 plus $0.144424 per kWh for the first 100 kWh and $0.197435 above that, which BED works out to $92.86 for 410 kWh; Vermont Electric Co-op charges $22.97 plus $0.11635 for the first 100 kWh and $0.23483 beyond; Washington Electric charges $30.76 plus $0.09841 then $0.24556; and Stowe Electric charges $20.56 plus $0.1153 for the first 76 kWh and $0.2375 beyond, about $153.77 for 600 kWh. EIA put Vermont's 2024 all-sector average at 18.41 cents per kWh, 10th highest in the nation.
Sources: greenmountainpower.com, burlingtonelectric.com, vermontelectric.coop, washingtonelectric.coop, stoweelectric.com, eia.gov
Where can I get help paying my electric bill in Vermont?
Seasonal Fuel Assistance (Vermont's LIHEAP, 1-800-479-6151) and Crisis Fuel Assistance through DCF cover households at or below 185% and 200% of the poverty level; GMP customers at or below 185% get a 25% bill discount through DCF (1-800-775-0516) and Burlington Electric customers a 12.5% discount through BED (802-865-7300), while co-op and VPPSA municipal customers can apply for ACRE bill credits (up to $45 a month at WEC/VEC, $29.55 at Stowe and 12 other towns) when enrollment is open. Every utility must offer budget billing and payment arrangements under PUC Rule 3.300, and the Department of Public Service's Consumer Affairs line (1-800-622-4496) helps if you cannot reach a reasonable plan.
Sources: dcf.vermont.gov, dcf.vermont.gov, dcf.vermont.gov, burlingtonelectric.com, publicservice.vermont.gov, publicservice.vermont.gov
Can my power be shut off in a Vermont winter?
Only under PUC Rule 3.300's winter rules: between November 1 and March 31 a utility must attempt actual oral notice, may not disconnect at all when the National Weather Service forecast for the Burlington area drops below 10 °F in the following 48 hours, and may not disconnect a household with a member aged 62 or older when the forecast drops below 32 °F if you have told the utility in writing. Year-round, you get 14 to 20 days' written notice, shutoffs happen 8 a.m.–2 p.m. on a business day (until 5 p.m. if the utility staffs reconnections until 8 p.m.), a licensed physician's certificate blocks disconnection for 30 days, and service must be restored within 24 hours once you pay half the arrears and agree to a repayment plan.
Sources: puc.vermont.gov, publicservice.vermont.gov
Researched 2026-10-16 from utility, regulator, and agency pages; every statement links to where it was read. Rules change: confirm deposits and program dates with the utility or agency before you rely on them.
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