Title: Petition of VT Electric Power Producers, Inc.

State: vermont

Issuer: Vermont Supreme Court

Document:

Petition of Vermont Electric Power Producers, Inc. (95-441); 165 Vt 282; 683 A.2d 716

[Opinion Filed 12-Jul-1996]

       NOTICE:  This opinion is subject to motions for reargument under
  V.R.A.P. 40 as well as formal revision before publication in the Vermont
  Reports.  Readers are requested to notify the Reporter of Decisions,
  Vermont Supreme Court, 109 State Street, Montpelier, Vermont 05609-0801 of
  any errors in order that corrections may be made before this opinion goes
  to press.


                                 No. 95-441


Petition of Vermont Electric                      Supreme Court
Power Producers, Inc.
                                                  On Appeal from
                                                  Public Service Board

                                                  April Term, 1996

Richard H. Cowart, Chair

       Michael Marks of Tarrant, Marks & Gillies, Montpelier, for appellant

       Morris L. Silver and Mary C. Marzec, Law Clerk (On the Brief), Rutland
  for appellee Central Vermont Public Service Corp.

       David J. Mullett of Cheney, Brock, Saudek & Mullett, P.C., Montpelier,
  for appellee Vermont Electric Power Producers, Inc.

       Sheldon M. Katz, Special Counsel, Montpelier, for appellee Department
  of Public Service


PRESENT:        Gibson and Morse, JJ., and Meaker, Super. J., Norton,
                Super. J., and Teachout, Super. J., Specially Assigned


       GIBSON, J.   Appellant Vermont Power Exchange, Inc. (VPX) appeals
  orders of the Public Service Board (PSB) denying VPX's motion to dismiss a
  petition brought by Vermont Electric Power Producers, Inc. (VEPPI) and
  denying VPX's motion to disqualify VEPPI's attorney from further
  proceedings in this matter.  The VEPPI petition sought to revoke VPX's
  designation as the state's purchasing agent for purposes of implementing
  the federal Public Utility Regulatory Policy Act (PURPA), 16 U.S.C. §
  824a-3, and 30 V.S.A. § 209.  VPX argues that the PSB erred in:  (1)
  failing to conclude, as a matter of law, that VPX's designation as PURPA
  purchasing agent is a public franchise that cannot be terminated except for
  cause; (2) failing to hold an evidentiary hearing on VPX's franchise and
  other claims; and (3) failing to disqualify VEPPI's attorney from continued
  participation in these proceedings.  We reverse the PSB order denying VPX's
  motion to disqualify VEPPI's attorney; otherwise, we affirm.

 

       Since 1984, VPX has served as the state's PURPA purchasing agent.  In
  prior decisions, we have reviewed the history and purpose of PURPA and "the
  unique way in which Vermont has implemented PURPA."  In re Vermont Power
  Exch., 159 Vt. 168, 171-72, 617 A.2d 418, 419 (1992); see In re Department
  of Pub. Serv., 161 Vt. 97, 102,