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Vermont PUC Compliance Filing Grace Period Ends March 13, 2025

The six-month grace period established by the Vermont Public Utility Commission (“Commission”) is coming to an end on March 13, 2025.  The grace period is intended to allow Section 248 Certificate of Public Good (“CPG”) holders to address overdue compliance filings without incurring penalties.[1]
This presents a unique and valuable opportunity for those entities with CPGs to fulfill any outstanding compliance filing obligations without penalty. In addition, the Commission has specifically stated that it will levy heavier fines for outstanding compliance filings following the grace period.  We note that the grace period only applies to compliance filing obligations and does not apply to other violations of a CPG. 

Key Points:

  • Who is affected? Entities with overdue compliance filings required under a permit or other approval issued by the Commission, such as a CPG for an electric generation and storage facility.  For net-metering projects, CPG holders or installers of net-metering projects, or the attorney of record should have received a notice of any overdue compliance obligations from the Commission.
  • What’s required? Depending on the case, outstanding compliance filings may include:
    • Filing notice of intent to construct or operate a project.
    • Filing municipal notice forms with proof of recording.
    • Updating financial securities or cost estimates in connection with decommissioning funds.
    • Certifying completed aesthetic mitigation installations and inspections. The Commission has provided templates for these filings under Commission Rule 5.800.
  • Why comply now? The Commission does not typically offer this type of grace period to come into compliance, and CPG Holders should take advantage of it.  Furthermore, after the grace period ends, the consequences are likely to be much harsher for projects that had the opportunity to make overdue filings and opted not to.  The Commission will determine which cases still have overdue compliance filings, impose strict penalties for noncompliance, and publish a public list of noncompliant entities — including their installer/developer and attorney of record.

Our team at SRH Law is here to help you navigate these requirements. If you need assistance reviewing your compliance obligations or preparing filings, please contact us today.

[1] See Order establishing noncompliance grace period & guidance for meeting obligations, Order of September 13, 2024, Case No. 24-2874-INV.
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Corporate Transparency Act Enforcement Halted: What Businesses Need to Know

A Texas federal district court issued a nationwide preliminary injunction on December 3, 2024, pausing enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”).[1] The CTA imposed beneficial ownership reporting requirements on most entities doing business in the United States (see our prior blog post on the CTA for more information). This ruling temporarily relieves reporting companies of their obligation to file beneficial ownership reports with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”), and stays the upcoming January 1, 2025 reporting deadline for existing reporting companies.

Key Implications of the Injunction

  1. Temporary Suspension: FinCEN will not enforce CTA reporting requirements while the injunction is in effect. Companies are not obligated to file beneficial ownership reports but may do so voluntarily.
  2. Government Appeal: The Department of Justice (“DOJ”) has filed a notice of appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, challenging the district court’s injunction.[2]
  3. Uncertainty Ahead: With litigation ongoing, businesses face continued ambiguity regarding compliance timelines and obligations. FinCEN has stated reporting companies are not subject to liability for failing to report while the injunction is in place. It is possible that the Fifth Circuit vacates, narrows, or modifies the injunction prior to the upcoming January 1 reporting deadline. It remains unclear whether a change to the preliminary injunction would extend the upcoming reporting deadline. FinCEN is likely to provide updated guidance to address these concerns as legal proceedings unfold.

Recommended Next Steps for Businesses

  • Stay Informed: Monitor updates from FinCEN and developments in the appeal process to anticipate any changes to the CTA’s status.
  • Prepare Proactively: Work with legal advisors to evaluate your readiness and strategize for potential enforcement if the injunction is lifted.

This legal pause provides an opportunity for businesses to better understand their obligations and adopt a proactive approach to compliance in anticipation of future regulatory developments.

Please contact Zach Berger if you have questions or would like CTA-related assistance.


[1] Texas Top Cop Shop, Inc., et al. v. Garland, et al., No. 4:24-cv-00478 (E.D. Tex.)
[2] Notice of Appeal, Texas Top Cop Shop, Inc. v. Garland, No. 4:24-cv-478, 2024 WL 4953814 (E.D. Tex. Dec. 3, 2024).


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