C.

Transmission and Distribution

Projects

This appendix describes the transmission and distribution projects that have been
completed since our 2014 IRP, projects that are underway, and projects that we plan to
start after 2020.

PROJECTS COMPLETED SINCE THE 2014 IRP

Barre North End Substation Rebuild

After retiring the Barre substation in 2014, three substations—Barre North End, Barre
South End, and Websterville—remained as the primary supplies to Barre area
distribution. Each substation was supplied from the 34.5-kV subtransmission system,
which in turn, supplied distribution circuits at voltages of 2.4 kV, 4.16 kV, and 12.47 kV;
each also had asset management concerns impacting the equipment’s reliability.

A Vermont Public Service Board Order in Docket No. 8069 required us to examine
rebuilding and relocating the Barre South End substation as well as converting all area
substations to 12.47 kV to improve reliability in the Barre area. We are designing the
Barre South End substation with a 15/28-MVA transformer and three circuits to
provide complete feeder backup to nearby substations, which will significantly improve
reliability for local residents and businesses. This necessitated rebuilding the Barre North
End substation as well as rebuilding the Websterville substation.

2018 INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLAN C-1

C. Transmission and Distribution Projects
Projects Completed Since the 2014 IRP

To rebuild the Barre North End substation,

we created a new substation yard with a
gravel parking area, fence, steel structures and
foundations, oil containment system, ground
grid, conduit system, cable trench system,
yard stone, emergency fence lights and a
security system. We installed a 34.5-kV circuit
breaker, two 34.5-kV motor-operated load
break switches, three 34.5-kV bus voltage
transformers and fuses, one 15/28-MVA
34.5-kV-to-12.47-kV power transformer, one
Figure C-1. Rebuilt Barre North End Substation
15-kV load break switch, three 15-kV circuit
breakers, three 15-kV bus voltage transformers, three 15-kV line voltage transformers,
eighteen single-blade disconnects, nine 438A voltage regulators, three relay and
communication equipment enclosures, one AC station service with associated AC panel,
one 48V-DC battery bank, charger, and a DC panel.

The new Barre North End substation enables full feeder backup to the new Barre South
End substation and partial feeder backup to the Berlin substation.

Project completion: May 2018.

East Middlebury to Smead Road Line Upgrade

A 46-kV subtransmission line runs from the East Middlebury substation for
approximately one-half mile to the Smead Road substation, then for another three miles
to the Silver Lake Hydro station (in Salisbury). The first half-mile section is conductored
with 4/0 Aluminum Conductor Steel-Reinforced (ACSR, installed in 1954) and has aged
pole plants; the three-mile section is conductored with 4/0 ACSR (installed in 1937), but
with pole plants in good condition.

The VELCO Connecticut River Valley Study, which focuses on the need to upgrade the
VELCO Coolidge to Ascutney 115-kV transmission line, shows that these two
subtransmission lines are overloaded following certain contingencies on the VELCO
transmission system. These post-contingency overloads expose the Connecticut River
Valley to low voltages and possible voltage collapse.

To address these post-contingency thermal constraints and enhance reliability, we

replaced the aged pole plants with new ones and installed a larger 477 ACSR conductor
in the section from East Middlebury to Smead Road. We determined that the remaining

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 C. Transmission and Distribution Projects
Projects Completed Since the 2014 IRP

three miles were adequate for current conditions and do not require reconductoring.
Project completion: October 2016.

Georgia Interconnection Subtransmission Replacement

Our subtransmission system in northwest Vermont includes networked 34.5-kV lines
bounded by the towns of St. Albans, Milton, Fairfax, Johnson, and Lowell. Its current
summer peak of 83 MW is forecasted to be 101 MW by 2024. Three interconnections
supply the system:
§ VELCO 115-kV-to-34.5-kV substations at Nason Street (in St. Albans) and in East
Fairfax.
§ A 34.5-kV line from the Johnson, Lowell, and Stowe areas.
§ Local hydro generators at Milton, Peterson, Clark Falls, and Fairfax.
The VELCO supply, however, contained a number of deficiencies:
§ Loss of the Nason Street source resulted in significant voltage and thermal violations
at various points in our subtransmission system.
§ Loss of the East Fairfax source also resulted in thermal overloads and widespread
undervoltages.
§ Loss of the 34.5-kV subtransmission line between the Nason Street substation and
the Ben & Jerry’s substation results in undervoltage at the Ben & Jerry’s substation.
To address these deficiencies, we installed a new 115-kV-to-34.5-kV supply into the
subtransmission system with an interconnection at Ballard Road in the Town of
Georgia. To complete this project, we:
§ Installed a new 56-MVA, 115-kV-to-34.5-kV transformer at the VELCO Georgia
substation together with oil containment and associated switchgear and controls.
§ Built a new Ballard Road switching station, comprised of three-circuit breakers and
associated foundations, relaying, disconnect switches, control building, and SCADA
that interconnected the VELCO source to the our subtransmission system.
§ Erected a new two-mile-long, 34.5-kV subtransmission line (located within an
existing VELCO transmission line right-of-way) from the VELCO Georgia
substation to the Ballard Road switching station.
§ Reconductored the five-mile-long Milton to St. Albans 34.5 kV subtransmission line.
§ Installed a new 5.4-MVAR, 34.5-kV capacitor bank at the VELCO East Fairfax
substation.

Project completion: May 2015.

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C. Transmission and Distribution Projects
Projects Completed Since the 2014 IRP

Gorge Substation Voltage Conversion

The Gorge substation is a 34.5-kV switching facility and peaking hydro facility located
on the Winooski River. This substation also serves approximately 600 distribution
customers in Colchester, Winooski, and South Burlington. Rapid growth in the
surrounding area overloaded a 12.47-kV circuit from our Essex substation, limiting our
ability to serve existing and new loads or to provide feeder backup in the area.

To mitigate these constraints, we removed

the 7-MVA, 34.5-kV-to-4.16-kV
transformer as the supply to the
distribution circuits (but kept it as a
generator step-up unit) and replaced it with
a 10/14-MVA, 34.5-kV-to-12.47-kV
transformer together with associated
voltage regulators, station service
transformers, and surge arresters. We also
converted two 4.16-kV distribution circuits
Figure C-2. Gorge Substation
to 12.47-kV. We also created a footprint
and take-off structure to accommodate a new 16Y3 feeder to serve load in Winooski.
(See “Winooski 34.5-kV Feeder Addition” on page C-10 for details.)

The conversion relieved the overloaded Essex circuit, increased capacity to serve existing
and new load, corrected low voltages, increased operational flexibility, and greatly
enhanced feeder backup between the Gorge, Essex, and Ethan Allen substations. In
addition, the conversion enables us to defer the construction of a new 115-kV-to-
12.47-kV substation in the Susie Wilson Road area of Essex.

Project completion: July 2015.

Graniteville and Wetmore Morse Substations Rebuild

The Graniteville and Wetmore Morse substations supply load to the granite quarries and
surrounding area in Barre Town. The 90-year-old, 3-MVA, 34.5-kV-to-2.4-kV
transformer bank at Graniteville and the 1.5-MVA, 34.5-kV-to-2.4-kV transformer bank
at Wetmore Morse were both aged and near the end of their useful lives.

To address these aged facilities and improve reliability, we rebuilt the Graniteville
substation with new components that included a 7.5/10.5-MVA, 34.5-kV-to-12.47-kV
transformer, an oil containment system, and associated bus work and foundations
together with new distribution feeder circuit breakers, voltage regulators, security system,
and a control cabinet. This larger transformer enables quarry-area motors to start

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 C. Transmission and Distribution Projects
Projects Completed Since the 2014 IRP

without voltage flicker, and allows for future backup of the Websterville substation. We
also converted the 2.4-kV distribution line between the two substations to 12.47-kV to
supply Wetmore Morse loads from the rebuilt Graniteville substation. Wetmore Morse
substation was retired and the Wetmore load is now fed off the 61G1 (Websterville)
circuit. The new Graniteville 12kV circuits was able to pick up majority of the existing
61G1 circuit heading to Williamstown.

Project completion: July 2017.

Highbridge to Lafayette (Line 92) Subtransmission Line Reconductoring

VELCO’s analytical studies that supported its 2016 Long Range Plan identified the
Highbridge to Lafayette 46 kV subtransmission path as potentially overloading to a very
serious degree under credible first contingencies, which violates our transmission line
criteria. These overloads were 139% of normal summer rating—high enough to pose
both reliability and safety concerns.

As a result, we reconductored approximately 2.35 miles of the subtransmission line from

336 ACSR to 795 ACSR.

Project completion: March 2017.

Marble Street to Danby Subtransmission (Line 36) Line Reconstruction

In 2011, CVPS acquired the assets of Omya’s Vermont Marble Power Division
(VMPD), which we subsequently acquired from CVPS in 2012. One of those assets is a
46-kV subtransmission line from the Marble Street switching station in West Rutland to
the Danby substation (which solely serves the Danby Imperial Quarry with
approximately 500 kW of load).

That line contained structures installed between 1938 and 1951 together with #2 ACSR,
and suffered from aging poles, crossarms, and insulators, all making the line vulnerable
during storms. Terms of the acquisition required CVPS to reconstruct the line by
2016—an obligation that we inherited.

As such, we rebuilt the subtransmission line by installing new poles, crossarms, and
insulators. While we reused the existing conductor, we redesigned the line to accept a
larger capacity 477 ACSR conductor in the future.

Project completion: July 2016.

2018 INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLAN C-5

C. Transmission and Distribution Projects
Projects Completed Since the 2014 IRP

Marshfield Substation Rehabilitation

The aged Marshfield substation had numerous problems: clearances that do not meet
modern code requirements, obsolete equipment, a transformer with limited ability to
support load growth, a 4.16kV distribution voltage that could not back up the adjacent
12.47-kV feeder originating from the Plainfield substation, an inability to accept a mobile
transformer, and a 34.5-kV distribution feeder that could not be adequately protected
during certain system conditions and maintenance procedures.

To correct these deficiencies, we:

§ Installed a new 6-MVA, 34.5-kV-to-4.16-kV generator step-up transformer, new steel
structures, foundations, fence, and oil containment.
§ Added a second 34.5-kV distribution circuit recloser that adequately protects the
circuit under certain system conditions and maintenance procedures.
§ Retired a 4.16-kV feeder, moving its load to an adjacent 12.47-kV feeder out of the
Plainfield substation.

These upgrades not only improve reliability and enhance safety, but also enable growth
on the distribution system.

Project completion: March 2015.

Sharon Substation Upgrade

Existing solar generation combined with a generation from new large solar project
exceeded the top nameplate rating of the existing Sharon substation transformer, thus
prompting the need to increase the transformer’s capacity. In addition, aging
infrastructure at the substation needed upgrading to improve safety and reliability.

We installed a new 7.5/10-MVA transformer, replaced the existing 35-year-old 15kV

breaker with a new ABB RMAG circuit breaker; raised the existing distribution steel to
increase clearances; added new yard stone, ground grid, new 7200V line voltage
transformer and fuse, and alternate station service; and upgraded the existing protective
relaying to include line voltage sensing and SCADA control of new voltage regulators.

Project completion: May 2018.

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 C. Transmission and Distribution Projects
Projects Completed Since the 2014 IRP

South Brattleboro Substation Upgrade

We upgraded the two transformers at the South Brattleboro substation to address aging
infrastructure and provide feeder backup for the area. The previous 54-year-old,
3.75-MVA, 69-kV-to-12.47-kV transformer fed two circuits; the 27-year-old. 14-MVA,
69-kV-to-12.47-kV transformer also fed two circuits; both had limited capacity for
feeder backup.

We upgraded both transformers by installing one new 28-MVA, 69-kV-to-12.47-kV

transformer, oil containment, a 69-kV high-side circuit breaker and associated fence,
ground grid, communications, and security. In addition, we installed three distribution
circuits with associated circuit breakers and voltage regulators, and larger voltage
regulators to allow for greater flexibility with circuit ties during planned outages and
contingencies.

Project completion: February 2018.

South Poultney Substation Upgrade

Asset management combined with safety concerns prompted an upgrade to the South
Poultney substation. The three single-phase transformers were almost 100 years old. As
a result, we upgraded the substation to a 2,500-KVA 46-kV-to-12.47/4.16-kV power
transformer with a new oil containment system, and installed a ground grid system, a
perimeter fence, and a security system to prevent unauthorized entry.

Project completion: September 2018.

Wallingford Substation Transformer Upgrade

The Wallingford substation’s 5/7 MVA transformer, relocated here when the substation
was reconstructed in 2002, fed one circuit (#23) with three 328-amp voltage regulators.
We upgraded the substation because the infrastructure was aging, and to increase its
capacity, efficiency, and reliability.

We removed the existing transformer and installed a new 7.5/10.5-MVA transformer,

three 46kV single-blade disconnects with a new pole, upgraded to 438-amp voltage
regulators, and installed a new 15kV RMAG distribution circuit breaker, three 46-kV
fuses, a new relay and control panel, a 15-kV line voltage transformer, and a security
system.

Project completion: April 2016.

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C. Transmission and Distribution Projects
Projects Completed Since the 2014 IRP

Waterbury Substation Relocation and Replacement

In 2011, Tropical Storm Irene caused significant flooding of our Waterbury substation,
then located in a FEMA-designated 100-year floodplain at 48 Winooski Street. We
realized we needed to relocate the substation, and to redesign and rebuild it for two
reasons: One, significant load growth in the area from several large customers (including
the State of Vermont and Vermont Coffee Roasters); and two, the need to provide
feeder backup because the area’s 4.16-kV feeders were approaching capacity and could
not be backed up by the Waterbury Center substation because the feeder voltages are
dissimilar. (The previous Waterbury substation included a 10.5-MVA, 34.5-kV-to-
4.16-kV transformer, voltage regulators, and three 4.16-kV feeders; the Waterbury

Center substation contains a 14-MVA, 34.5-

kV-to-12.47-kV transformer, voltage
regulators, and two 12.47-kV feeders.)

The new Waterbury substation comprises

one 15/28-MVA, 34.5-kV-to-12.47-kV
transformer, a high-side circuit breaker,
motor-operated load break switches for
transmission line sectionalizing, oil
containment, three distribution circuits with
associated circuit breakers, voltage regulation
at each feeder, and SCADA. We also
Figure C-3. Waterbury Substation: Relocated and Replaced converted area feeders from 4.16 kV to
12.47 kV. The new substation is located
along Vermont Route 100 (outside of the flood plain) adjacent to our Middlesex to
Duxbury Switch 34.5-kV subtransmission line.

Replacing the substation and converting the area’s feeders enables the two area
substations to back up each other, lowers distribution line losses, accommodates new
loads, and enhances the accommodation of distributed generation installations.

Project completion: December 2015.

White River Junction Substation Replacement

Our White River Junction substation and Wilder substation both feed the local area. Our
recent upgrade to the White River Junction substation and its associated distribution
system from 4.16 kV to 12.47 kV (for load growth and partially backing up circuits from
the Wilder substation) proved inadequate. Larger load growth, limitations on the non-

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 C. Transmission and Distribution Projects
Projects Completed Since the 2014 IRP

standard 13.8-kV transmission supply from the National Grid Wilder substation hydro
generation bus, and limited feeder backup all contributed to this inadequacy.

As a result, we have replaced the White

River Junction substation. The new
substation, located on the existing Lantern
Lane site (albeit expanded), comprises a
15/28-MVA, 46-kV-to-12.47-kV
transformer, oil containment, high-side
circuit breaker, 5.4-MVAR capacitor bank,
three distribution circuits (with space for a
fourth circuit), voltage regulators, and
SCADA control.

We replaced the existing, non-standard

13.8-kV transmission line (that traverses
Figure C-4. White River Junction Substation During Construction
rugged and hard-to-reach terrain) with a new
2.5-mile, 46-kV transmission line, overbuilt on distribution. Located along Old River
Road in Hartford, the new line taps the Hartford to Taftsville 46-kV line to supply the
substation.

Project completion: January 2016.

Wilder Subtransmission Switching Station Upgrade

Our Wilder subtransmission switching station contains a 46-kV single-circuit breaker
that ties the National Grid Wilder substation to our 46-kV subtransmission system in
Hartford. The substation needed upgrading because much of the equipment was either
near the end of its useful life, some replacement parts were unavailable, and current
codes or design standards were not met.

We replaced and installed a new outdoor relaying cabinet including new SCADA and
communication equipment; a 25KVA station service transformer including steel pedestal
and concrete foundation; AC & DC distribution panels; a 48VDC battery bank with
charger; new insulators for all bus work, disconnects, and air breaks; and lightning
arresters for B-40 line termination, and upgraded the substation ground grid. All new
equipment is within the existing switching station fence. This equipment modernization
enables us to properly operate the substation, and improves its safety and reliability.

Project completion: December 2015.

2018 INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLAN C-9

C. Transmission and Distribution Projects
Projects Completed Since the 2014 IRP

Winooski 34.5-kV Feeder Addition

Two 34.5-kV feeders used to serve the Winooski load: the 46Y1 feeder (originating at
the Winooski substation) and the adjacent 36Y5 feeder (originating at the Ethan Allen
substation in Colchester) which provided only partial backup. As such, we added a third
34.5-kV feeder to provide full-time backup originating at the recently converted Gorge
substation.

To add the new feeder, we rebuilt one-half mile of the existing 3309 transmission line
between the Gorge substation and the downtown Winooski redevelopment area,
upgrading the 3309 transmission conductor and installing the underbuilt 16Y3 feeder.
We also upgraded the Gorge substation with a circuit breaker, reactor, and voltage
regulators to accommodate the new feeder.

As a result of adding this new feeder, we improved reliability, created a full-time feeder
backup, enhanced the thermal performance of the 3309 transmission conductor,
replaced aged equipment, reduced line losses, enhanced area voltage performance
following certain contingencies, and deferred the need for another substation in the area.

Project completion: December 2015.

Woodford Road Substation Upgrade and Pickett Hill Substation New Construction
Our Woodford Road substation used to include a 46-kV switching infrastructure and
one 12.5-MVA, 46-kV-to-12.47-kV transformer supplying two 12.47-kV distribution
feeders. Much of this equipment, however, was near the end of its useful life (so old in
most cases that replacement parts were no longer available). We upgraded some of this
equipment; and we retired some and replaced it with new equipment at our new Pickett
Hill substation. We built the Picket Hill substation near a new VELCO Bennington
substation to more easily connect to their transmission system.

For the Pickett Hill substation, we:

§ Upgraded the 46-kV switchgear to accommodate the newly located VELCO
Bennington substation, which is a 115-kV-to-46-kV source for the Bennington area.
§ Built several sections of new 46-kV transmission lines to tie the Pickett Hill
substation to the 46-kV subtransmission system.
§ Built one section of 69-kV transmission line to tie the new VELCO Bennington
substation to the 69-kV subtransmission system.

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 C. Transmission and Distribution Projects
Projects Planned and Underway

For the Woodford Road substation, we:

§ Added new bus work, switches, breakers, relays, SCADA equipment, larger voltage
regulators, batteries, station service transformer, oil containment, and a control
house.
§ Added a high-side circuit breaker and transformer differential to better protect the
existing transformer.
This entire project of replacing infrastructure and equipment maintains system reliability
to the Bennington area, improves system operation, corrects deficiencies of current
NESC standards, and improves safety and reliability.

Project completion: January 2015.

PROJECTS PLANNED AND UNDERWAY

Airport Substation Conversion and Rebuild

The Airport substation is sited on Vermont Air National Guard property in South
Burlington, adjacent the Burlington International Airport. The substation includes a
59-year-old, 1.5-MVA, 34.5-kV-to-4.16-kV transformer and two 4.16-kV distribution
circuits, neither of which allow for feeder backup from adjacent substations. In addition,
the wood structures are aged with clearances that do not meet modern code
requirements.

As such, we plan to convert and rebuild the substation on a new larger site. We plan to
install a new 15/28-MVA, 34.5-kV-to-12.47-kV transformer; oil containment; three
12.47-kV distribution circuits; three 34.5-kV breakers (two for transmission and one for
transformer bank); and associated circuit breakers, voltage regulators, bus work,
foundations, fence, ground grid, security system, control cabinet, and switchgear.

The new substation would still be centrally located in Chittenden County, and allow for
the reconfiguration of existing circuit loads among the Gorge, Ethan Allen, Dorset
Street, Essex, and Tafts Corners substations. The upgrade would thus enhance feeder
backup in this area, extend the useful lives of the adjacent substations, address aging
infrastructure, and improve safety and reliability.

We have petitioned the Vermont Public Utilities Commission for a certificate of public
good (CPG), and expect to begin construction in 2019.

Projected start date: February 2020.

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C. Transmission and Distribution Projects
Projects Planned and Underway

Barre South End Substation Replacement

As discussed previously in “Barre North End Substation Rebuild” (page C-1), our
examination under Docket No. 8069 revealed that the Barre South End substation also
needed to be rebuilt and relocated. As a result, we are currently in the process of newly
constructing the Barre South End substation. The rebuild includes upgrading to a
15/28-MVA 34.5-kV-to-12.47-kV power transformer and three 12.47-kV feeders.

In addition, we are installing a new fence,

yard lighting and security cameras, ground
grid, below-grade trench and conduit
systems, oil containment, 34.5 kV circuit
breaker, two motor-operated load break
switches, transmission voltage potential
transformers, and relay protection and
control. Distribution equipment includes
three vacuum circuit breakers, arresters, line
tie switches, potential transformers, and
Figure C-5. Ongoing Construction of New Barre South End Substation underground feeder getaways.

Once finished, this substation will be able to provide full feeder backup to the Barre
North End substation and partial feeder backup to the Graniteville and Websterville
substation.

Expected completion date: December 2018.

Cambridge Transmission Substation Expansion

We have upgraded and expanded our Cambridge substation to be configured with a new
tap line associated with two new breakers. This project improves reliability to Vermont
Electric Cooperative (VEC) customers as well as our customers in the area.

VEC first identified this project in their most recent Integrated Resource Plan as a way
to manage assets and address safety issues. The Public Utilities Commission approved
the project in its order in Case No. 17-2675-PET dated September 26, 2017.

When completed, the new tap line will automatically sectionalize our B8 line. If a fault
occurs on one section of that line, this upgraded configuration will still allow energy to
flow to VEC’s substations while shutting off the faulted line. For line faults east of our
Cambridge substation, VEC’s Johnson substation would lose power; for line faults west
of our Cambridge substation, VEC’s Pleasant Valley substation and our Jeffersonville
substation would lose power. In both cases, however, VEC’s Cambridge and

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 C. Transmission and Distribution Projects
Projects Planned and Underway

Jeffersonville substations would retain power. Thus, thousands of customers who

previously would have lost power, will now retain power.

Expected completion date: December 2018.

East Barnard to Bethel (Line 107) Subtransmission Line Rebuild

The VELCO Connecticut River Valley Study indicated that the existing 3/0 ACSR
conductor on the six-mile East Barnard to Bethel line would overload after certain
contingencies, resulting in cascading line overloads and losses of up to 40 MW of load.
The study also indicated the existing Bethel to East Barnard 3/0 ACSR line section was
overloaded by 115.7% of its thermal rating of 24.54 MVA.

This project reconductors the Bethel to East Barnard (Line 107) to 477 ACSR
conductor. This line is 6.3 miles long, however, we plan to reconductor only a small
portion of it (0.22 miles of 3/0 ACSR) because most of it is already thermally adequate
(4/0 ACSR). Accordingly, we plan to replace this 0.22 miles of 3/0 ACSR located at the
Bethel end of the line with 477 ACSR. This line is part of a 46-kV transmission loop in
the Middlebury, Windsor, and Chelsea areas.

We have obtained a CPG to rebuild this line with new structures and a larger 477 ACSR
conductor. This addresses the overloading and lower line losses, and remediates the
structural issues. We began construction in September, 2018.

Projected completion date: February 2019.

Rutland Reliability Project

After extensively analyzing the load flow of our recently acquired VMPD system, we
found that the Florence 115/46-kV source could not “ride through” a first contingency
loss unless we reinforced the system by:
§ Permanently closing the normally open 46-kV B7 tie at West Rutland.
§ Reconductoring the Florence-to-West Rutland 46-kV line, which includes the Marble
Street to Florence segment.
§ Permanently closing the normally open second Rutland-to-West Rutland 46-kV line
with reconductoring.

We submitted this Rutland Reliability Plan to the Public Utility Commission in 2015.

Without reconductoring, the existing Florence to West Rutland line could not carry peak
demand. In addition, the Rutland area system substantially benefits from integrating
VMPD by effectively adding another 115/46-kV transformer to support the area’s

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C. Transmission and Distribution Projects
Projects Planned and Underway

46-kV network (via Florence to West Rutland). This extra source improves area voltage
and reduces loading on the area’s other transformers, which could otherwise exceed their
ratings post-contingency. Substation upgrades are required at Marble Street and Lalor
Avenue to support this project. These upgrades will improve the connectivity and
reliability of the former VMPD system that serves our customers in Florence, Danby,
and Proctor. The project includes several components.

Upgrading the West Rutland Transmission Substation consists of adding two 46-kV
Vacuum Circuit Breakers transmission breakers (B-4 and B-5) to replace the two existing
1969-vintage OCBs (B-7 and B-56). These vintage breakers have proven troublesome,
experiencing many failures. We are also replacing the bus and line instrument transformers
(as they have reached their limit for useful life) and adding a new security system.

We will
Rebuilding the West Rutland to Marble Street (Line 39) Subtransmission Line.
rebuild approximately 0.56 miles of 46-kV transmission line from Marble Street
Substation to West Rutland Substation with 477 ACSR.

We will rebuild
Rebuilding the Marble Street to Proctor (Line 37) Subtransmission Line.
approximately 7.22 miles of 46-kV transmission line from the Florence Substation to the
Marble Street Substation with 477 ACSR.

Rebuilding the Evergreen Tap to West Rutland (L43) Subtransmission Line. We will rebuild
approximately 0.94 miles of 46-kV transmission line from Evergreen Tap to West
Rutland Substation (Line 43) with 477 MCM ACSR conductor. The larger conductor on
Line 43 allows this radial feed to become part of the looped transmission system in the
Rutland Area.

Projected completion date: November 2019.

Taftsville to Windsor (Line 105) Subtransmission Line Rebuild

The VELCO Connecticut River Valley Study indicated that the existing 477 ACSR
conductor on the 10.5-mile Taftsville to Windsor line would overload by 124% of its
thermal rating of 49 MVA following certain contingencies. This line is part of a 46-kV
transmission loop extending across Windsor County.

In the 248 process under Docket 8605, the need to upgrade this line was identified in the
VELCO Connecticut River Valley Project filing. The VELCO pre-filed testimony stated
“Related to these improvements, GMP will replace conductors for three 46 kV line
sections: the East Middlebury to Smead Road line (Project 143180 completed in 2016),
the Bethel to East Barnard line (Project 148615 FY2019), and the Windsor to Taftsville
line (Project 148614 FY2020).”

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 C. Transmission and Distribution Projects
Projects Planned and Underway

ISO-New England and VELCO studies determined that upgrading an existing 115 kV
line, supplemented with other component transmission and subtransmission upgrades,
would be the most cost-effective solution to mitigate the identified concerns. As such,
we plan to reconductor the Taftsville to Windsor (Line 105) to 795 ACSR conductor.
This line is part of a 46-kV transmission loop in the Middlebury, Windsor, and Chelsea
areas.

Projected completion date: December 2020.

Websterville Substation Rebuild

We plan to rebuild the Websterville substation on its existing site as part of our complete
revamp of the substations that feed the Barre area. (See “Barre North End Substation
Rebuild”, page C-1, and “Barre South End Substation Replacement”, page C-12, for
information on our rebuilding all three substations.)

The rebuilt substation would be equipped with new transmission circuit breakers, two
capacitor banks, a new 15/28-MVA transformer, and three 12.47-kV feeders. The new
substation will permit full feeder backup to the Graniteville substation and partial feeder
backup to the Barre South End substation.

In conjunction with a Websterville substation rebuild, a 34.5-kV recloser will be added

to tie the Websterville to Barre 3306 line to the Websterville to McIndoes Falls 3311 line
to maintain a 34.5-kV network while the Websterville substation is being upgraded. This
bypass will be permanent and allow for additional operational flexibility to reconfigure
the 34.5-KV network in the future as needed to optimize system conditions.

In October 2018, we filed for a certificate of public good with the Public Utilities
Commission. We intend to begin construction in spring 2019.

Projected completion date: February 2020.

Welden to North St. Albans (Line 135) Subtransmission Line Reconductoring

VELCO, conducting a study for us in the St. Albans area, identified an existing overload
of the Welden St to East St Albans 3/0 ACSR line segment of Line 135. The overload
exceeded 10% of the line segment’s thermal rating when the Nason Street end of the
B10 line was opened for planned or emergency outages. This overload could result in a
hazard from a conductor sag resulting in inadequate clearance, or in a complete
burndown of the conductor, resulting in loss of customer load. VELCO also identified
this overload in their 2018 Long-Range Transmission Plan.

2018 INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLAN C-15

C. Transmission and Distribution Projects
Projects Planned and Underway

To remedy these hazards, we are reconductoring the 0.41-mile long, 34.5-kV

subtransmission overhead line (Line 135) with the larger wire 477 ACSR. This segment,
which runs from our Welden Street substation to the North St. Albans substation, is part
of the 34.5-kV subtransmission loop that provides redundant transmission supply to the
substations feeding the distribution system in the affected area. The reconductoring will
increase reliability to our customers by preventing the line from failing from the
aforementioned contingencies.

Expected completion date: March 2019.

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 C. Transmission and Distribution Projects
Proposed Projects Starting After 2020

PROPOSED PROJECTS STARTING AFTER 2020

Danby Substation New Construction

Building a new substation in Danby will create multiple benefits for the area. Our plan
for the new Danby substation includes a 7.5/10.5-MVA, 46-kV-to-12.47-kV
transformer, oil containment, a 46-kV high-side circuit breaker, two 12.47-kV
distribution circuits with associated circuit breakers and voltage regulators together with
a fence, ground grid, communications, and security.

We plan to initially supply the Danby substation from the 46-kV Marble Street to Danby
Quarry subtransmission line, relieving capacity issues by providing a portion of the load
presently supplied by the Wallingford substation. The 12.47-kV distribution installed at
the Danby substation will supply the Danby Imperial Quarry, thus improving voltage
regulation at the quarry.

Next, we plan to build a new 46-kV tie line from the Dorset substation, forming a three-
way network that adds capacity to both the Danby and Wallingford substations (and
thus the surrounding area) while providing backup for the latter. The three-way network
also enhances area reliability by reconfiguring two relatively long and weak radial 46-kV
subtransmission lines, the Marble Street to Danby Quarry line and the Blissville to
Dorset line.

After this 46-kV tie line is built, we will be able to reconductor the Marble Street to
Danby line to 477 ACSR without interrupting service to Danby substation customers,
including the quarry. In addition, should it become necessary, we could build a new
46 kV tie line from the Bromley substation to either the Danby substation or the Dorset
substation to further increase network reliability in the area.

Projected start date: 2022.

East Ryegate Substation Upgrade

We need to upgrade the East Ryegate substation to improve reliability. We plan to
eliminate two radial transmission lines to form a 46-kV network between Hartford and
Ryegate. The upgrade comprises two transformers (one 46/34.5 kV and one
34.5/12.47 kV), oil containment, circuit breakers, relay protection upgrade and
associated fence, ground grid, communications, and security.

Projected start date: 2020.

2018 INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLAN C-17

C. Transmission and Distribution Projects
Proposed Projects Starting After 2020

East St. Albans Substation Upgrade

As part of its St. Albans study for us, VELCO looked at a proposed load increase for the
area. VELCO identified low voltage in the St. Albans area with the loss of the St. Albans
115/34.5-kV source at existing loads.

To increase reliability, we plan to install two SCADA-controlled, 3.6-MVAR capacitor

banks at our East St. Albans substation. These two capacitor banks will provide voltage
support during emergency contingency situations as well as during planned maintenance
on the St Albans area 34.5-kV network.

Projected start date: 2020.

Fair Haven and Hydeville Distribution Substation Conversions

Whenever feasible, we convert existing 2.4-kV, 4.16-kV, and 8.3-kV distribution circuits
to our standard distribution system voltage of 12.47/7.2-kV grounded wye. Converting
these substations is one of those projects.

We plan to convert the Fair Haven and Hydeville substations from 46/4.16 kV to
46/12.47 kV with all new components including, at minimum. a top nameplate
10.5-MVA, 46-kV-to-12.47-kV transformer, oil containment system, and associated bus
work and foundations. Also included would be distribution feeder circuit breakers,
voltage regulators, security system, and a control cabinet. The larger transformer will
allow for feeder backup capability between these substations, for the Castleton
substation, and for potential future ties to the Carvers Falls and Poultney area
substations. Converting these substations to 12.47 kV will also reduce losses.

Projected start date: 2020–2021.

Haystack Substation New Construction

There is very limited capacity for the GMP Dover and Wilmington substations, and
there is very limited feeder backup capability. In addition, the Hermitage Club at
Haystack Mountain in Wilmington has future plans for an expansion requiring 10 MW
of additional load. As such, we plan to build a new Haystack substation in Wilmington
to accommodate future load growth, improve area reliability, and reduce system losses;
as well as to improve the limited feeder backup capability between the Dover and
Wilmington substations. This upgrade is necessary even if the Hermitage Club does not
proceed with their expansion.

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 C. Transmission and Distribution Projects
Proposed Projects Starting After 2020

Our plan for the substation comprises a 28-MVA, 69-kV-to-12.47-kV transformer with
oil containment, a high-side circuit breaker, three distribution circuits with circuit
breakers and voltage regulation for each feeder, motor-operated load break switches, and
SCADA. The transmission supply will be from the 69-kV Searsburg-to-Dover
subtransmission line.

We initially intended to site the substation close to the load to reduce system losses, but
the adjacent land owner would not grant us access, thus the project is on hold until we
can find a suitable parcel of land.

Projected start date: Currently in 2020 budget.

Highbridge Substation Upgrade

The Highbridge substation needs to be upgraded to improve reliability. We plan to
replace an existing breaker and voltage transformer, and add two new breakers,
associated relaying, ground grid, fence, and control house.

Projected start date: 2021 (depending on land acquisition).

Hinesburg Substation Rebuild

An eight-mile, 12.47-kV distribution line originating at the Charlotte substation serves
Hinesburg. New development in the area is likely to increase its 4.6 MW winter peak.
This increasing load and distribution line length contribute to potential thermal and
voltage limitations as well as challenges in protecting the line from contingencies. To
temporarily mitigate this situation, we connected a portion of the load to the Vermont
Electric Cooperative (VEC) Rhode Island Corners substation. Nonetheless, this short-
term solution still exposes the area to a number of long-term reliability and capacity
needs: the potential for continued load growth, voltage constraints, high distributed solar
penetration, and motor start limitations.

Initially, we planned to build a new substation. Instead, we conducted a Reliability Plan

(filed under Docket No. 7873 in October 2016) to analyze the situation and identify a
robust, cost-effective, long-term solution. The Plan concluded that we could initially
address these issues with a non-transmission alternative (NTA). As such, we now plan to
install a battery energy storage system (BESS) solution with deferred construction of a
new Hinesburg substation jointly owned with VEC together with distance relay
protections, distributed energy installations with reactive inverters, and energy efficiency
measures.

2018 INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLAN C-19

C. Transmission and Distribution Projects
Proposed Projects Starting After 2020

The new Hinesburg substation would include a new 15/28-MVA, 34.5-kV-to-12.47-kV

transformer with oil containment, high-side circuit breaker, associated fence, ground
grid, communications and security, and two distribution circuits with circuit breakers and
voltage regulators. A new one-mile, 34.5-kV subtransmission line extension of the
existing Richmond to VEC Hinesburg substation 34.5-kV transmission line would
supply the substation. This substation would increase the available capacity to serve
existing and new load, allow for appropriate circuit protection, reduce losses, and
provide feeder backup to the Charlotte substation, as well as provide backup for VEC
area circuits and back up circuits originating at the North Ferrisburgh substation.

After acquiring property for siting, the current plan is to install the NTA solution in
2023.

Irasville Substation Upgrade

The Irasville substation is tapped off from a 37-mile-long line between Middlesex and
Montpelier with inadequate remote line protection. To improve reliability, we plan to
upgrade the substation. The upgrade comprises oil containment, 34.5-kV circuit
breakers, relay protection upgrade, yard expansion associated fence, ground grid, and
communications

Projected start date: 2021.

Johnson to Lowell (Line 133) Subtransmission Line Upgrade

We plan to upgrade the Johnson to Lowell (Line 133) subtransmission line to address
aging infrastructure, and improve reliability.

Projected start date: 2020.

Lowell Substation Upgrade

The Lowell substation is aged and near the end of its useful life. As such, we plan to
upgrade the substation to address aging infrastructure and to improve safety and
reliability.

The current transformer, a 15/20-MVA, 46-kV-to-34.5-kV bank, is 43 years old. The

existing 34.5-kV B-20 breaker is 1973 vintage of a style that has proven to fail without
warning. The protection and control technologies are obsolete, utilizing
electromechanical relaying.

Projected start date: 2021.

C-20 GREEN MOUNTAIN POWER

 C. Transmission and Distribution Projects
Proposed Projects Starting After 2020

Maple Avenue Substation

This project will add two SCADA-controlled 2.7-MVAR capacitor banks at the Maple
Avenue substation to provide voltage support during emergency contingency situations
as well as during planned maintenance of the 46-kV network extending from Lafayette
Street substation to National Grid Bellows Falls substation. This project will also address
asset management issues with the Joy substation located approximately 2.0 miles away
from the Maple Avenue substation. We will install a 46-kV breaker at Maple Avenue and
retire the Joy substation.

Projected start date: 2019.

Maple Avenue to Charlestown (Line 102) Subtransmission Line Reconductoring

VELCO 2018 Long-Range Transmission Plan identified the Maple Avenue to
Charlestown 46-kV path as potentially overloading under first contingencies at existing
loads (that is, the loss of Lafayette Street to Maple Avenue), which violates our
transmission line criteria. As such, we plan to reconductor the Maple Avenue to
Charlestown subtransmission line to conform to our line criteria and, as a result,
improve reliability.

Projected start date: 2021.

McNeil to Gorge (Line 3309) Subtransmission Line Reconductoring

After certain contingencies on the VELCO 155-kV system, a bulk system deficiency
results in thermal overloads and low voltages on sections of the 34.5 subtransmission
line (Line 3309) between the McNeil generating station and the Gorge substation.
VELCO’s 2015 Long-Range Transmission Plan originally identified this condition
several years ago. To remedy this condition, we plan to reconductor this line.

Projected start date: 2021.

Mill Street Substation Upgrade

The 14-MVA, 46-kV-to-12.47-kV transformer, enclosed switchgear, and 12.47-kV
distribution feeders at the Mill Street substation (in Bennington) is aging. Much of the
substation, constructed in 1974, is close to the end of its useful life, and many
replacement parts are unavailable. In addition, the control wiring, cabling, distribution
panels, and groundings are deficient in meeting current safety codes.

2018 INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLAN C-21

C. Transmission and Distribution Projects
Proposed Projects Starting After 2020

To address these issues, we plan to install a new 15/28-MVA, 46-kV-to-12.47-kV unit,

oil containment, and a high-side circuit breaker (to better protect the transformer);
replace the enclosed switchgear with open-air bus work; and install new switches,
breakers, relays, SCADA equipment, circuit regulators, batteries, station service, and a
control building. We also plan to upgrade the 350-MCM-Cu underground getaways with
1,000 MCM Cu to enhance feeder backup capability and support distributed generation,
and to install larger voltage regulators to increase the flexibility of circuit ties to the
adjacent Lyons Street, South Bennington, Woodford Road, and Silk Road substations
during planned outages and contingencies.

All told, the upgrade addresses aging infrastructure, improves system operation, corrects
deficiencies, and improves safety and reliability.

Deferred project start date: 2024.

Newbury Distribution Substation Upgrade

The Newbury distribution substation needs to be upgraded to improve safety and
reliability. We plan to install a new foundation for the transformer, a new 12.47-kV
circuit breaker, and a security system, as well as replace the old porcelain insulators.

Projected start date: 2022.

North Brattleboro Substation Upgrade

The North Brattleboro substation contains a 14-MVA, 46-kV-to-12.47-kV transformer,
328-amp voltage regulators connected to the 12.47-kV bus by 750 MCM copper
underground cable getaways; and two 12.47-kV distribution circuits each with 350 MCM
copper underground cable getaways.

The 750 MCM copper underground cables, summer rated at 619 amps, do not fully
utilize the capacity of the 14-MVA transformer; the 350 MCM copper underground
cable getaways, summer rated at 384 amps, constrain the North Brattleboro substation’s
ability to backup area substation feeders.

To relieve these constraints, we plan to replace the current cables with 1,000 MCM
copper cables, and upgrade the existing 328-amp voltage regulators to 437-amp
regulators, which will allow for greater flexibility with circuit ties during planned outages
and contingencies. Overall, the upgrades will improve reliability and increase the
substation’s transfer capacity.

Deferred project start date: 2023.

C-22 GREEN MOUNTAIN POWER

 C. Transmission and Distribution Projects
Proposed Projects Starting After 2020

Pleasant Street Distribution Substation Upgrade

Aging equipment on the Pleasant Street distribution substation is being replaced with
similar replacement parts to improve safety and reliability.

We plan to replace the three 12.5-kV vacuum circuit breakers. with new 12.5-kV ABB
RMAG circuit breakers, raise the existing steel to accommodate the new 12.5-kV circuit
breakers, and install steel adapters to mount the new 12.5-kV breakers on existing
foundations. In addition, we plan to install new conduit and control cables, add cameras
to the security system, install a new RTU, add line voltage transmitters to each
distribution circuit, and replace the existing electromechanical protection with new
microprocessor-based protective relays housed in a new outdoor relay cabinet.

Projected start date: 2021.

Putney Distribution Substation Conversion

Whenever feasible, we convert existing 2.4-kV, 4.16-kV, and 8.3-kV distribution circuits
to our standard distribution system voltage of 12.47/7.2-kV grounded wye. Converting
the Putney distribution substation is one of those projects. We plan to convert the
Putney 69/8.32-kV substation to 69/12.47-kV.

Projected start date: 2020.

Richmond Substation
The primary reason for completing this project is to improve reliability. The upgrades to
the substation would be comprised of adding two breakers, replacing an existing recloser
with a breaker associated relaying and control house. This will improve reliability to
customers served out of Richmond and Bolton.

Projected start date: 2021.

Sand Road to Richmond (Line 3334) Subtransmission Line Rebuild

Our analysis revealed system limitations when the Sand Road end of this line is open.
Thus, we plan to rebuild the existing 34.5-kV line that was constructed in the 1930s to
improve reliability.

Projected start date: 2022.

2018 INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLAN C-23

C. Transmission and Distribution Projects
Proposed Projects Starting After 2020

Websterville to VELCO Barre (Line 3306) Subtransmission Line Reconductoring

VELCO’s 2015 Long-Range Transmission Plan identified the Websterville to VELCO
Barre 34.5 kV subtransmission line as potentially overloading under first contingencies at
existing loads (that is, at the VELCO Barre 115/34.5 kV source), which violates our
transmission line criteria. Thus, we plan to reconductor the Websterville to VELCO
Barre (Line 3306) subtransmission line to improve reliability.

Projected start date: 2021.

Wilder Distribution Substation Upgrade

Capacity limitations in the area served by the White River Junction and Wilder
substations could overload the White River Junction substation and leave little remaining
capacity for Wilder to address contingencies. Upgrading the Wilder substation would
address these capacity issues and provide robust feeder backup between the substations.

As such, we plan to replace the existing 14-MVA, 46-kV-to-12.47-kV transformer with a

new 15/28-MVA, 46-kV-to-12.47-kV transformer and install a high-side circuit breaker,
oil containment, distribution circuit breakers, and feeder voltage regulation.

Deferred project start date: 2021.

C-24 GREEN MOUNTAIN POWER