Vermont utilities sent disconnection notices to 12–16% of households in a single month
In January 2025, Green Mountain Power issued 37,112 disconnection notices — affecting 16.2% of its total customer base. Burlington Electric sent notices to 12.4% of its customers while only 4.3% were enrolled in its assistance program. The national baseline is 10% of Americans receiving disconnection notices annually. Vermont exceeds that rate in a single winter month.
Disconnection notices as % of households, January 2025
GMP disconnection trend (2009 → 2025)
2009
8,454
2025
9,186
Actual disconnections (not notices). GMP disconnections increased 8.7% over 16 years despite expanded assistance programs. The trend is worsening, not improving.
37,112
Disconnection notices issued by GMP in January 2025 alone. GMP serves ~229,000 households — 78% of Vermont's electric customers. In April 2025, the number was similar: 36,321 (15.8%).
10%
National baseline: percentage of Americans receiving a disconnection notice annually (EIA). Vermont's three largest utilities exceed this rate in a single month during winter heating season.
4.3%
BED's assistance enrollment rate — while 14% of BED customers receive disconnection notices. The gap between who gets help and who gets warned is a factor of 3×.
Vermont's PUC characterized electricity as essential to residential safety and habitability. The disconnection data shows a system where 1 in 6 customers in the state's dominant utility face service termination threats each winter — in a state that is simultaneously mandating the shift of heating costs onto the electric bill.
VT PUC, Docket 25-0443-INV. Disconnection data from utility filings in the Act 142 investigation. National 10% baseline from EIA, cited in investigation filings.
Sources: GMP Jan 2025 (37,112 notices, 16.2%) — pipeline data, Docket 25-0443-INV. GMP Apr 2025 (36,321, 15.8%) — pipeline data. BED Jan 2025 (2,219, 12.4%) — pipeline data. VEC Jan 2025 (4,195, 11.8%) — pipeline data. GMP 2009 disconnections (8,454) — pipeline data. GMP 2025 disconnections (9,186) — pipeline data. BED 4.3% enrollment — pipeline data, high-confidence item. National 10% baseline — EIA, cited in Docket 25-0443-INV. GMP ~229,000 households — derived from 37,112/0.162.