It's not often that members of the public are invited inside a large hydroelectric facility. But that's what's happening this fall at five big dams on the Connecticut River. It's all part of a process of environmental reviews and meetings to help federal regulators decide whether to renew licenses for the dams.

Some advocates would like to see Vermont towns go back to the renewable energy future by relying more heavily on hydroelectricity. They say a bill to simplify the permit process that's pending on Governor Peter Shumlin's desk would make that more likely, but skeptics say hydro is still too inefficient and expensive.

A plan to generate hydroelectric power from two southern Vermont flood control dams has moved closer to fruition. The Plainfield-based developer says the finding clears the way for final permitting from the federal agency.

The falls of Otter Creek in Vergennes has been diverted from one of the river's three spillways so that the headworks of the hydroelectric plant can be replaced.