Burlington Electric Department

On April 29, 1905, the Burlington Electric Department (BED) began providing power for city streetlights, with homes and businesses starting to tie on just months later. Street lighting costs and residential and commercial rates dropped proving the city fathers point—much to the delight of Burlington residents.

Today, BED is Vermont’s largest municipally owned electric utility serving more than 19,600 customers. BED is the exclusive provider of electric service to the City of Burlington, an area of approximately 16 square miles, and the Burlington International Airport in South Burlington. BED is also the operator and 50 percent owner of the Joseph C McNeil Wood-Powered Electric Generating Facility (pictured above) located in Burlington’s Intervale.