TransCanada is called an energy giant. This giant has almost 40,000 miles of pipeline, 355 billion cubic feet of gas storage facilities and capacity to generate 10,800 megawatts of power. The giant has local connections here in Vermont; one is the Bellows Falls hydro-electric dam which they purchased in 2005. They also are affiliated with and heavily committed to the Keystone pipeline project in the Midwest. In the Midwest and New York they are giving away fairly sizable amounts of money to communities.

TransCanada is committed to strengthening relationships with key stakeholders and building healthy and vibrant communities where we operate

In two press recent press releases TransCanada brags …er announces having given approximately $340,000 in the mid-west and an additional $350,000 in the New York City area to community projects.

That is the give, now the taking part here in Vermont.

 Vtdigger.com reports TransCanada is pursuing a different approach in Vermont. The town of Rockingham and the village of Bellows Falls are being pushed hard by TransCanada to significantly lower the hydro-electric dam’s current taxed value. The Canadian energy giant is disputing a state of Vermont funded and approved property assessment. The value of the dam is sizable part (almost half) for the Village of Bellows Falls and (approx. a third) for the Town of Rockingham’s tax base.  

On June 20, town listers decided not to allow the reduction in market value, after hearing TransCanada’s case about a week and a half ago. TransCanada is now appealing that decision with the town’s Board of Civil Authority (BCA), which will hear the case on July 17, and then make a decision within 30 days.

If TransCanada gets the proposed reduction, it would result in a total tax revenue loss of $640,000, which would have to be made up by other taxpayers.

[…]There is also the threat of possible litigation if TransCanada is unhappy with the BCA’s decision. In the past, TransCanada has sued Littleton, N.H., and Concord, Vt., over dam property values. The company won its case in Concord.

While they fight here in Vermont it seems they are waging a well funded charm offensive in other areas.  TransCanada is putting a little goodwill in the pipeline out west and in New York City. “When we became aware of the obvious needs in the communities where we operate, we felt compelled to help.” says William Taylor, TransCanada's senior vice-president of eastern power. But in cash strapped Bellows Falls and Rockingham they feel compelled to wipe out $640,000 from the community’s tax base.