tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42696557224786780092024-03-13T00:05:12.726-04:00Trees Not Towers: No Northern PassThe Campaign to thwart Northern Pass and protect scenic views and existing conserved land.
Forest Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10522556834059348775noreply@blogger.comBlogger151125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269655722478678009.post-3679269533937345322014-10-08T14:41:00.000-04:002014-10-10T14:41:32.457-04:00Underground Champlain Hudson Express Receives Presidential PermitThe developers of a 1000MW buried transmission line between Quebec and New York City announced that their project, the Champlain Hudson Power Express, was granted a needed Presidential Permit. The 331-mile line will include portions submerged under Lake Champlain and sections buried underground.<br />
<br />
The project, proposed in partnership with Hydro-Quebec, was originally conceived as an overhead transmission line. That concept ran into opposition, leading developer TDI to propose instead the underground alternative.<br />
<br />
Northern Pass, the proposed 1200MW overhead transmission line, would also need a Presidential Permit to cross the international boundary. Northern Pass has been encouraged to bury its line along existing transportation corridors in New Hampshire and Vermont using modern transmission technology.<br />
<br />
You can read TDI's press release about the Champlain Hudson Power Express Presidential Permit<br />
<a href="http://www.chpexpress.com/press-releases/100614.php" target="_blank">here.</a>Forest Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10522556834059348775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269655722478678009.post-17504439691075063992014-09-16T12:12:00.000-04:002014-10-10T12:12:37.970-04:00NEPGA: Ratepayer $ Misused by PSNH in Supporting Northern PassThe New England Power Generators Association filed a petition with the NH Public Utilities Commission, asking the PUC to address the relationship between Public Service Company of NH and Northern Pass.<br />
<br />
“There is a serious misuse of ratepayer dollars in how PSNH is supporting the Northern Pass project,<br />" said Dan Dolan, president of NEPGA. "NEPGA believes the PUC must act to protect ratepayers and ensure a level competitive playing field.” Dolan added, “The facts are clear. PSNH is a rate-regulated distribution company, but ratepayers’ resources have been used to support a private, merchant transmission project."<br />
<br />
NHPR's Sam Evans-Brown reports on the story <a href="http://nhpr.org/post/puc-asked-clarify-rules-relationship-between-northern-pass-and-psnh" target="_blank">here.</a> Or you can read the <a href="http://www.nepga.org/files/library/NEPGA_Calls_for_PSNH-NPT_Oversight.pdf" target="_blank">NEPGA press release</a>.<br />
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.nepga.org/files/library/NEPGARulemakingFiledwithPUC.pdf" target="_blank">The filing with the PUC can be read here.</a></div>
Forest Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10522556834059348775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269655722478678009.post-13208351933734349482014-09-05T12:01:00.000-04:002014-10-10T12:01:52.087-04:00Transforming the Electric Grid<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
While the existing electricity grid, with its endless string of poles and wires, may have served the country well during the 20th century, it’s become incredible costly to maintain in the 21st says Mary Powell, CEO of Green Mountain Power.</div>
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Executives at Green Mountain Power and NRG Energy say they want to build the electrical grid of the future in Vermont.</div>
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You can read the story about new technology by Peter Hirshfeld on NHPR's website <a href="http://nhpr.org/post/vermonts-top-utility-wants-transform-electric-grid" style="background-color: transparent;" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
Forest Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10522556834059348775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269655722478678009.post-66990312574705623322014-08-29T11:14:00.000-04:002014-10-10T11:54:56.893-04:00"We're Worth It" : Sen. Ayotte Calls for Burial of Northern Pass Along Roads<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Story by Jonathan Koziol, Union Leader</div>
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EASTON - Citing a precedent in New York and echoing a recommendation by the town's Conservation Commission, U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) on Thursday said the Northern Pass transmission project should be entirely buried beneath New Hampshire's roads.</div>
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Appearing at Easton Town Hall Thursday afternoon, just minutes after having hiked through the Gingerbread Road area to get a closer look at how Northern Pass would affect this town of 270 people, Ayotte said the beauty of the White Mountains should and could be preserved and that the Northern Pass could proceed if the transmission lines were buried "along an existing highway corridor."</div>
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That point, as well as a suggestion that Northern Pass consider a second international crossing other than that at Hall's Stream in Pittsburg, was made in an Aug. 18 letter from Ayotte and the rest of the state's Congressional delegation to the U.S. Department of Energy.</div>
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Northern Pass would bring hydroelectricity from Quebec into the U.S. along a 187-mile long line in New Hampshire. Northeast Utilities, the corporate parent of Public Service of New Hampshire and Northern Pass Transmission LLC, has an agreement with HydroQuebec for it to lease the Northern Pass transmission lines.</div>
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Proponents say the $1.4 billion project will create 1,200 construction jobs, put 1,200 megawatts of renewable electricity into the New England power grid, and, over its 40-year life, will generate some $1 billion in new municipal property tax revenues in New Hampshire.</div>
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Opponents of Northern Pass have criticized its intrusion into and despoilment of the North Country, both esthetically and economically.</div>
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A presidential permit is needed to allow Canadian power to come into the U.S. and the review process also involves the Department of Defense and the Secretary of State, both of which, Ayotte explained, typically defer to the DOE in energy-transmission cases.</div>
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Ned Cutler, who chairs Easton's Board of Selectmen, said that in 2012 the Town Meeting voted unanimously to say it opposed Northern Pass unless it was buried underground. He said yesterday that several property owners have already asked the selectmen how to get abatements because they expected a drop in the assessed values of their properties should Northern Pass go through town above ground.</div>
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In 2013, the Easton Conservation Commission took upon itself the task of finding an alternative route for Northern Pass through town and last November it came up with a recommendation that sounded a lot like Ayotte's on Thursday: bury Northern Pass along the Interstate 93 corridor between Bethlehem and Woodstock, thereby entirely avoiding Easton and the White Mountain National Forest in which it sits.</div>
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The bury-it-under-the-road approach gained traction earlier this month when the DOE, in reviewing the proposed Champlain Hudson Power Express, which would bring power from Canada to the New York Metro Area, said burying 141 miles of the 336-miles of transmission lines under existing highways would be a good idea.</div>
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Both Cutler and Conservation Commission Chair Roy Stever said they'd like to see Ayotte push for burying Northern Pass and Ayotte said she would.</div>
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The technology exists to bury the transmission lines, Ayotte said, adding that the Easton Conservation Commission recognized that fact as did the DOE with the Champlain Hudson Power Express project.</div>
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What the conservation commission proposed just in Easton should be done down the entire length of Northern Pass, said Ayotte, and the DOE should require Northern Pass to study it, and then, ultimately, it should do it.</div>
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"We're worth it," said Ayotte, noting that the New York transmission project was also intended to run above ground, but didn't.</div>
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After a burst of polite applause died down, Ayotte continue that "This is obviously a very important issue to the Town of Easton and the state."</div>
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"This is about all of us," she said, "not just the North Country."</div>
Forest Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10522556834059348775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269655722478678009.post-16586724828033085402014-08-11T08:44:00.003-04:002014-08-11T08:45:30.399-04:00Federal Report: Significant Advantages to Burying Northern Pass Type Transmission Lines<a href="http://nhpr.org/post/federal-report-significant-advantages-burying-northern-pass-type-power-lines" target="_blank">Federal Report: Significant Advantages to Burying Transmission Lines</a><br />
<br />
By Chris Jensen, NHPR<br />
<br />
A new federal report about an electric transmission project in New York says there are a lot of good reasons to bury such lines and that is likely to give opponents of Northern Pass ammunition in their campaign to get the lines underground...<br />
<br />
The U.S. Department of Energy analyzed the impact of the proposed Champlain Hudson Power Express, which hopes to carry power from Canada to the New York metro area.<br />
<br />
If given final approval by the DOE the route would stretch 336 miles. For about 141 miles the lines would be buried alongside roads or railway lines.<br />
<br />
In its final Environmental Impact Statement the DOE concluded burying the lines would make them less vulnerable to storm damage or terrorist attacks. It would also be less disruptive to the environment and reduce maintenance.<br />
<br />
“The Champlain Hudson document really confirms that the underground transmission options are economically and technically feasible and in many cases have substantial advantages over the overhead approach that is favored by Northern Pass,” said Christophe Courchesne is an attorney with the Conservation Law Foundation.<br />
<br />
But in a statement Northern Pass spokeswoman Lauren Collins said every energy project is “different and these differences influence design and cost.”<br />
<br />
She said Northern Pass estimates burying the line along its existing rights-of-way would cost $15 million to $20 million per mile compared to $3 million per mile for overhead lines.<br />
<br />
Officials at Champlain Express have estimated the cost of burying their lines alongside those roads and railway lines will be about $5.5 million per mile.<br />
<br />
The project pays the railroad a fee for using the right-of-way but there is no charge for running the lines alongside a highway because it is considered a public benefit, said Andrew Rush, a spokesman for the project. In the Hudson River and under Lake Champlain payments are made to the state.<br />
<br />
Northern Pass says it wants to use its own rights-of-way “obtained by working with willing landowners and using existing power line rights-of-way.”<br />
<br />
Using state rights-of-way might require payments to New Hampshire.<br />
<br />
The Department of Energy is conducting a similar Environmental Impact Statement on the Northern Pass Project. However, the draft EIS is not expected until late this year.<br />
<br />
But it is expected to include – as part of its examination of alternatives – a look at burying the Northern Pass lines.<br />
<br />
“The contents of the final EIS demonstrate that burial is a real alternative. The thing is that you have to pick the right route,” said Ken Kimball, the director of research for the Appalachian Mountain Club which opposes the Northern Pass.<br />
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Forest Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10522556834059348775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269655722478678009.post-46621958641880344802014-08-01T17:22:00.002-04:002014-08-01T17:22:34.648-04:00Why Burying Transmission Cables is a Viable Alternative<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">By Will Abbott<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">From the beginning, the main issue the
Forest Society has had with Northern Pass has been with how the project
proposes to bring electrons to the marketplace.
We are not philosophically opposed to importing electricity from Canada,
but we are opposed to the 180-mile scar that the proposed overhead towers would
create on New Hampshire landscapes from Pittsburg to Deerfield.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">If the power is needed, or even desired,
we believe there is new technology available that makes it possible for New
Hampshire to accommodate Northern Pass in a way that is good for the state, for
Quebec and for the utility proposing to build Northern Pass (Northeast
Utilities, owner of Public Service Company of New Hampshire).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The new technology involves a buried
high-voltage, direct current cable designed to be placed in a trench that
dissipates the heat from the cables. By using a trench dug along an existing
transportation right of way, like an interstate highway or a continuous
railroad right of way where the state already owns the land beneath the right
of way, Northern Pass could be built in a way that avoids the adverse visual
impacts of overhead lines. In addition, the
state would generate a little extra money for its depleted highway fund by
leasing the right of way to the utility.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">One company that manufactures this new
cable calls its product “HVDC Light.”
The company, a Swiss firm by the name of ABB, Inc., is so attracted to
the future of this product that they have recently completed a new $400 million
manufacturing facility in North Carolina to manufacture this and other cable
products. A representative from ABB has testified
before New Hampshire legislative committees to explain how its product
works. The cable itself costs $2 million
a mile, and, based on previous installations, company representatives estimate
that trench costs for a previously disturbed corridor are in the range of $3-$4
million a mile. This makes the total
likely cost significantly below the claimed expense of $20 million a mile being
made by representatives of Northeast Utilities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">If southern New England states need
electrons from Quebec to meet their electric needs, and if they prefer this
over building new generating facilities in their own states, it only seems fair
that they should pay for the cost of burying Northern Pass through New
Hampshire. Or, at least they should be willing
to pay the differential cost between overhead lines and buried lines on
existing state-owned rights of way. The
N.H. Department of Transportation has already identified New Hampshire’s three existing interstate highways (plus
Route 101 from Manchester to the Seacoast) as appropriate corridors for such
buried facilities to be studied further.
Maybe Hydro-Quebec can partner with the southern New England states to
share these added costs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The decision to site such an extension-cord
facility in New Hampshire remains with the state and its people. Northeast Utilities and Hydro-Quebec should
not be allowed to jam overhead power lines down New Hampshire’s throat -- particularly
in a situation like this where the electrons are not needed to keep the lights
on. Northern Pass is being built as a
for-profit enterprise to benefit the shareholders of Northeast Utilities and
the ratepayers of Quebec. They are in
business to make money (which is not a bad thing) and they have the right to
propose a project that makes them more money.
They should not, however, be entitled to make money at the expense of
one of New Hampshire’s greatest assets.
They are not entitled to scar the landscapes that are the social and
economic fabric of our communities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">If the people behind Northern Pass want
to build a project in New Hampshire that has broad public support, they should
withdraw the project they have proposed and offer a new project that completely
buries the new facility along appropriate state-owned transportation
corridors. Otherwise, the project
should be abandoned altogether.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Will Abbott is vice president of Policy
and Reservation Stewardship at the Forest Society.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Forest Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10522556834059348775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269655722478678009.post-34411834153272470622014-07-18T17:24:00.000-04:002014-07-31T17:24:40.500-04:00Northern Pass Updates: DOE Releases Preliminary Alternatives Report; a Northern Pass Competitor Files for Presidential Permit; and NU Considers a Line in Vermont<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Northern
Pass opponents have been waiting to learn to what extent the U.S. Dept. of
Energy (DOE) listened to the voluminous public comments regarding the need to
analyze alternatives to the proposed overhead transmission line, such as burial
along transportation corridors. The fear has been that the Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) would be completed without serious study of such alternatives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Prompted
by requests from the New Hampshire Congressional Delegation, the DOE released
on May 1 a preliminary report outlining the alternatives that will be studied
as part of the EIS for the proposed Northern Pass transmission line. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Now that
the report is out, the rush is on to understand not only what it says but what
it might mean for Northern Pass. The caveat, however, is that this is clearly a
preliminary report. As the document itself notes:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">This Alternatives Addendum
document briefly discusses alternatives that will, as of this time, be included
in the draft EIS. However, this ongoing review may generate new information
that results in changes or additions to, or reorganization of, the information
presented below. DOE will use the information gathered during this process to
identify which of the alternatives are reasonable.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In other
words, if any one listed alternative is determined to be
"unreasonable" by the DOE, it may get short shrift. The report goes
on to say:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The range of reasonable
alternatives will be analyzed in detail in the draft EIS, including discussion
of design specifics and an analysis of potential environmental impacts. DOE
also will identify those alternatives that are not reasonable and, in the draft
EIS, will briefly discuss the reasons those alternatives were eliminated from
detailed study.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The Alternatives Being Analyzed<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">There
are 24 alternatives summarized in the report, including the so-called
"Proposed Action" (the largely overhead line that Hydro-Quebec and
Northeast Utilities want to build) and the "No Action" alternative
(what happens if no line at all is built). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Among
the rest are 10 variations on burial of some or all of the line, which suggests
that burial options are likely to be analyzed in some detail. Those variations
include burying only 10 out of 187 miles to avoid overhead lines through the
White Mountain National Forest, to "porpoising" above and below
ground, to complete burial either along the proposed right of way or under
roadways or rail corridors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">There
are a few surprises, such as the possibility of locating the conversion station
(the electricity would travel the greatest distance as direct current, or DC,
but must be converted to alternating current, or AC, to be accepted into the
New England grid) in Deerfield instead of Franklin as proposed by Northern
Pass. This possibility has not been part of any significant public discussion
to date.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">One
alternative would apparently consider a terminus other than Deerfield, and
thus, as the report states, "Specific alternate locations for the project’s
terminus substations were not suggested, but different locations could
significantly expand the range of possible routes." Another alternative
considers placing the transmission line in an above-ground "tube" or
pipeline, while another considers using navigable waterways, such as the
Merrimack River. It's unknown to what extent such alternatives will get close
scrutiny.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What's Not Among the Alternatives<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">None of
potential alternatives listed in the report contemplate an international border
crossing other than the one requested by Hydro-Quebec and Northeast Utilities
in Pittsburg, N.H. This is notable for several reasons, not the least of which
is that absent eminent domain, all overhead and underground routes that start
at that point are blocked by the Forest Society's ownership of the Washburn
Family Forest in adjoining Clarksville, including land underneath Route 3.
Northern Pass has yet to secure a legally permittable route, and the
alternatives being studied by the DOE don't resolve that issue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The sole
Pittsburg starting point is also notable in that the shortest route for power
to be delivered from Quebec to power-demand centers in southern New
England--especially if buried along roadways such as I-91--would not begin
there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Also
missing among the alternatives is any consideration of so-called HVDC Light
technology, the kind of buried transmission cable to be used in similar
projects in New York (Champlain-Hudson Express and Vermont (New England Clean
Power Link). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Rather,
it would appear that the DOE for the most part has chosen to study alternatives
that start with the project developers' own assumptions--that the line would
cross into the U.S. in Pittsburg, N.H., and proceed to Deerfield, N.H., using
the limits of old-school transmission technology. This is somewhat less than
some stakeholders had hoped for. Gov.
Maggie Hassan in her statement about the report, saw fit to note, "I
continue to believe that, with any energy project, New Hampshire deserves the
latest technologies in order to protect what we all love about our state...
."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Increased Interest in Vermont<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Meanwhile,
during a visit to New Hampshire, Vermont's Gov. Peter Shumlin offered to work
with Gov. Hassan to look into using Interstate 91 as a potential route for a
buried line.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">"If
anyone can get it done, it’s Governor Hassan, myself and others," he said.
"We would love to find solutions to get our southern neighbors the juice
they need without destroying our pristine forests."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Two
other underground transmission proposals, both from Transmission Developers
Inc. (TDI) are proposed for Vermont/New York. The Champlain-Hudson Express, an
underground and underwater 330-mile 1,000MW project that would deliver power
from Quebec to New York, is well ahead of Northern Pass in the permitting
process. And in May, TDI applied for a Presidential Permit for its New England
Clean Power Link, another underwater and underground transmission line that
would deliver 1000MW of Hydro Quebec power to Ludlow, Vt., where it would
connect to the New England grid. TDI projects a 2019 completion date and $1.2
billion price tag for that approximately 150-mile project. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Perhaps,
then, it is not surprising that earlier this spring Northeast Utilities fielded
their own proposals to connect to the regional grid in Vermont. NU denied that
those proposals were meant as a hedge against the stymied Northern Pass project
in New Hampshire, but would not say how much electricity would be carried nor
what the source of power would be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Forest Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10522556834059348775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269655722478678009.post-48588671334313997012014-07-07T16:50:00.000-04:002014-07-07T16:50:06.776-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/6tw3OE8qogQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<h2>
No Northern Pass Video 3: A Hiker's Perspective</h2>
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The unnecessary and unpopular Northern Pass electrical
transmission line would cut across New Hampshire for 187 miles from north to
south, crossing many hiking trails - including the Appalachian Trail - along
the way. 1500 huge new towers with high-voltage lines would rise high above the
trees, visible for miles around. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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We've partnered with the Conservation Media Group on a video
series that helps shine the light on why the Northern Pass project should not
go ahead as currently planned. Please watch the latest video, and - if you
haven't already - join us in <a href="http://www.conservationmediagroup.org/bury-or-stop-northern-pass-petition" target="_blank">signing the petition </a>urging opposition to the
Northern Pass. New England's governors will meet in New Hampshire on July 15th;
tell them before that meeting, "If Northern Pass does not agree to bury
power lines, it should be stopped.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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Over 4000 people have signed the petition to date. Please
share this email and ask your friends and family to join you in taking action
by adding their own signatures and sending the strongest possible message to
the region's policymakers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Forest Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10522556834059348775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269655722478678009.post-29555961246633825192014-06-13T16:30:00.001-04:002014-06-13T16:30:33.704-04:00Tucker's Turn: The Numbers on Northern Pass<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/akqq0wA-2xw" width="480"></iframe><br />Forest Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10522556834059348775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269655722478678009.post-19325853113032297582014-05-11T16:04:00.000-04:002014-05-12T16:09:58.752-04:00Update on Energy Bills HB 569, SB 245 and SB 281<div class="MsoNormal">
The Legislature is considering three important bills
regarding energy and the environment this week (the week of May 12):<o:p></o:p></div>
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On Thursday the State Senate votes on HB 569, a bill
originally introduced by Representative Larry Rappaport of Colebrook and
co-sponsored by Senator Jeff Woodburn of Dalton. As modified by the
Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee, and recommended on a 3-2 vote
last week by the Committee, the bill says the Site Evaluation Committee “may” presume that overhead transmission
lines not needed to keep the lights on will have an unreasonably adverse effect
on aesthetics. The bill also authorizes the NH Department of
Transportation to facilitate the option to bury such transmission lines in
state owned rights of way. Please contact <a href="http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/Senate/members/wml.aspx" target="_blank">your senator</a> and ask him or her to
vote “YES” on HB 569 as recommended by the Senate Energy Committee.<o:p></o:p></div>
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On Wednesday the House votes on two important bills already
approved by the Senate. SB 245, introduced by Senator Jeanie Forrester,
reforms the Site Evaluation Committee (SEC) by amending RSA 162-H. As
most recently amended by committees in the House, this bill provides the needed
changes to the SEC. If enacted, the bill creates two new public member
positions to sit on panels with state agency heads reviewing new energy
facility applications, it requires the SEC to make a finding that a proposed
project is in the public interest before deciding to award a permit and it provides
the SEC with staff and financial resources to do its job. Please contact your <a href="http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/members/wml.aspx" target="_blank">elected representative(s)</a> in the New
Hampshire House and ask that they vote “YES” on SB 245 as recommended by the
House Finance Committee by a vote of 23-0.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The House will also be voting on Wednesday on <b>SB 281</b>,
which provides legislative guidance to the SEC as it develops rules on the
siting of wind energy projects. The bill was tabled in last week’s
House session, but is expected to be amended from the floor and voted on this
week as well. In conjunction with SB 245, the guidance for siting
criteria provided by SB 281 will help ensure consistency and clarity in the
SEC’s evaluation of wind energy project proposals. Please ask your
representative to vote “YES” on SB 281.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Forest Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10522556834059348775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269655722478678009.post-84760851303864909762014-05-09T16:53:00.002-04:002014-05-12T13:03:36.489-04:00Preliminary Alternatives Report Released: What Does It Tell Us?Prompted by requests from the New Hamphire Congressional Delegation, the U.S. Dept. of Energy (DOE) released on May 1 a preliminary <a href="http://www.northernpasseis.us/media/documents/The%20Northern%20Pass%20EIS%20Scoping%20Report%20Alternatives%20Addendum_05_01_2014_final.pdf" target="_blank">report (click here)</a> outlining the alternatives that will be studied as part of the Evironmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Northern Pass transmission line. <br />
<br />
Northern Pass opponents have been waiting to learn to what extent the DOE listened to the voluminous public comments regarding the need to analyze alternatives to the proposed overhead line, such as burial along transportation corridors. The fear has been that the EIS would be completed without serious study of such alternatives.<br />
<br />
Now that the report is out, the rush is on to understand not only what it says but what it might mean for Northern Pass. The caveat, however, is that this is clearly a preliminary report. As the document itself notes,<br />
<br />
"This Alternatives Addendum document briefly discusses alternatives that will, as of this time, be included in the draft EIS. However, this ongoing review may generate new information that results in changes or additions to, or reorganization of, the information presented below. DOE will use the information gathered during this process to identify which of the alternatives are reasonable."<br />
<br />
In other words, if any one listed alternative is determined to be "unreasonable" by the DOE, it may get short shrift. The report goes on to say,<br />
<br />
"The range of reasonable alternatives will be analyzed in detail in the draft EIS, including discussion of design specifics and an analysis of potential environmental impacts. DOE also will identify those alternatives that are not reasonable and, in the draft EIS, will briefly discuss the reasons those alternatives were eliminated from detailed study."<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><strong>The Alternatives Being Analyzed</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">There are 24 alternatives summarized in the report, including the so-called "Proposed Action" (the largely overhead line that Hydro-Quebec and Northeast Utilities want to build) and the "No Action" alternative (what happens if no line at all is built). <br />
<br />
Among the rest are 10 variations on burial of some or all of the line, which suggests that burial options are likely to be analyzed in some detail. Those variations include burying only 10 out of 187 miles to avoid overhead lines through the White Mountain National Forest, to "porpoising" above and below ground, to complete burial either along the proposed right of way or under roadways or rail corridors.<br />
<br />
There are a few surprises, such as the possibility of locating the conversion station (the electricity would travel the greatest distance as direct current, or DC, but must be converted to alternating current, or AC, to be accepted into the New England grid) in Deerfield instead of Franklin as proposed by Northern Pass. This possibility has not been part of any significant public discussion to date.<br />
<br />
One alternative would apparently consider a terminus other than Deerfield, and thus, as the report states, "<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Specific alternate locations for the projects terminus substations were not suggested, but different locations could significantly expand the range of possible routes." </span>Another alternative considers placing the transmission line in an above-ground "tube" or pipeline, while another considers using navigable waterways, such as the Merrimack River. It's unknown to what extent such alternatives will get close scrutiny.</span><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>What's Not Among the Alternatives</strong><br />
None of potential alternatives listed in the report contemplate an international border crossing other than the one requested by Hydro-Quebec and Northeast Utilities in Pittsburg, N.H. This is notable for several reasons, not the least of which is that absent eminent domain, all overhead and underground routes that start at that point are blocked by the Forest Society's ownership of the Washburn Family Forest in adjoining Clarksville, including land underneath Route 3. Northern Pass has yet to secure a legally permitable route, and the alternatives being studied by the DOE don't resolve that issue.<br />
<br />
The sole Pittsburg starting point is also notable in that the shortest route for power to be delivered from Quebec to power-demand centers in southern New England--especially if buried along roadways such as I-91--would not begin there.<br />
<br />
Also missing among the alternatives is any consideration of so-called <a href="http://new.abb.com/systems/hvdc/hvdc-light#!" target="_blank">HVDC Light</a> technology, the kind of buried transmission cable to be used in similar projects in New York (<a href="http://www.chpexpress.com/" target="_blank">Champlain-Hudson Express</a> and Vermont (<a href="http://necplink.com/" target="_blank">New England Clean Power Link)</a>. <br />
<br />
Rather, it would appear that the DOE for the most part has chosen to study alternatives that start with the project developers' own assumptions--that the line would cross into the U.S. in Pittsburg, N.H., and proceed to Deerfield, N.H., using the limits of old-school transmission technology. This is somewhat less than some stakeholders had hoped for. Gov. Maggie Hassan in her <a href="http://www.governor.nh.gov/media/news/2014/pr-2014-05-02-northern-pass.htm" target="_blank">statement</a> about the report, saw fit to note, "I continue to believe that, with any energy project, New Hampshire deserves the latest technologies in order to protect what we all love about our state... ."<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, during a visit to New Hampshire, Vermont's Gov. Peter Shumlin <a href="http://nhpr.org/post/vt-governor-weighs-northern-pass-burial" target="_blank">offered</a> to work with Gov. Hassan to look into using Interstate 91 as a potential route for a buried line.<br />
<br />
"If anyone can get it done it’s Governor Hassan, myself, and others," he said. "We would love to find solutions to get our southern neighbors the juice they need without destroying our pristine forests."<br />
<br />
For an additional take on what the report does and does not accomplish, read <a href="http://www.clf.org/blog/clean-energy-climate-change/small-step-long-hike-doe-plans-consider-long-list-northern-pass-alternatives/" target="_blank">this</a> from the Conservation Law Foundation's Christophe Courchesne. The Union Leader's coverage can be read <a href="http://www.unionleader.com/article/20140504/NEWS05/140509657" target="_blank">here</a>, and the Concord Monitor's story is available <a href="http://www.concordmonitor.com/news/politics/11813992-95/us-department-of-energy-releases-list-of-alternate-routes-for-northern-pass-project" target="_blank">here.</a><br />
<br />Forest Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10522556834059348775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269655722478678009.post-6185720618971599292014-04-24T15:07:00.002-04:002014-04-24T15:07:28.816-04:00Sign the Online Petition to Gov. Hassan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/9kiD_lD0Rq8/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/9kiD_lD0Rq8&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/9kiD_lD0Rq8&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
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In an effort to engage more of New Hampshire's citizens
about Northern Pass, we have teamed up with the Appalachian Mountain Club and
the <a href="http://www.conservationmediagroup.org/" target="_blank">Conservation
Media Group</a> (CMG), a non-profit group of filmmakers and
conservationists. We are collaborating to make sure more people in New
Hampshire know what's at stake. We need your help to do that. Please <a href="http://conservationmediagroup.org/petition/bury-or-stop-northern-pass" target="_blank">watch Tucker in this first video</a> and join us and CMG to <a href="http://conservationmediagroup.org/petition/bury-or-stop-northern-pass" target="_blank">petition Governor Hassan</a> to take a stronger stand in
opposition to Northern Pass.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Tell her "if Northern Pass does not agree to bury
power lines, it should be stopped."<o:p></o:p></div>
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If you would prefer to send your comments to Gov. Hassan
directly, her address is:<o:p></o:p></div>
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Governor Maggie Hassan<br />
State House<br />
107 North Main Street<br />
Concord, NH 03301<o:p></o:p></div>
Forest Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10522556834059348775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269655722478678009.post-73147792046524478932014-04-09T14:04:00.001-04:002014-04-09T15:22:39.475-04:00Update On Energy Bills in the N.H. State Legislature (SB 245, SB 281, SB 569, HB 200)<div class="MsoNormal">
Here's what's going on with SB 245, SB 281, SB 569 and SB 200:</div>
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<a href="http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2014/SB0245.html" target="_blank">SB 245</a>, the SEC reform bill, passed the Senate on a voice vote and is now before
the House Science, Technology and Energy Committee. April 8 was the
first day of ST&E hearings. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4269655722478678009#editor/target=page;pageID=6263535208108154639;onPublishedMenu=pages;onClosedMenu=pages;postNum=0;src=pagename" target="_blank">Go here</a> for joint testimony from SPNHF, AMC, CLF
and TNC. Please reach out to<a href="http://gencourt.state.nh.us/house/members/wml.aspx" target="_blank"> House members</a> to support SEC reform.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2014/SB0281.html" target="_blank">SB 281,</a> which provides the SEC with a policy framework for
siting wind energy projects, also passed the Senate on a voice vote, and is now
being considered by the House ST&E Committee. The SEC is already
charged with developing administrative rules on wind siting by the end of 2014,
but has received little guidance from the legislature on what the rules need to
address. SB 281 provides the SEC with this guidance. The bill had
its initial public hearing before the committee last week. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4269655722478678009#allpages" target="_blank">Click here</a> to read
joint testimony on SB 281 submitted by the Forest Society and several of our
conservation partners. Please reach out to your <a href="http://gencourt.state.nh.us/house/members/wml.aspx" target="_blank">House members</a>, especially
if they are<a href="http://gencourt.state.nh.us/house/committees/committeedetails.aspx?code=H24" target="_blank"> members of the ST&E Committee</a>, and ask them to support
SB 281! <o:p></o:p></div>
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The
two burial bills, <a href="http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2014/HB0569.html" target="_blank">HB 569</a> and <a href="http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2014/SB0200.pdf" target="_blank">SB 200</a>, are both now in the Senate. <o:p></o:p></div>
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HB
569 has been heard by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee; please
<a href="http://gencourt.state.nh.us/house/members/wml.aspx" target="_blank">ask senators</a> to support this bill. You'll find talking points on this blog (scroll down). <o:p></o:p></div>
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SB
200 sits on the table in the Senate. It complements HB 569 by creating
authority for the NH Department of Transportation to identify and lease state
owned transportation corridors for energy infrastructure (like transmission
lines and pipelines). You'll find more info on SB 200 by scrolling down in this blog.<o:p></o:p></div>
Forest Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10522556834059348775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269655722478678009.post-49243241729316850702014-03-11T11:47:00.002-04:002014-03-11T14:50:17.358-04:00Talking Points for SB 281<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><u>SB 281: Policy Guidance for New Energy
Facility Siting Rules</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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SB 99
enacted last session tasked the SEC with developing and adopting new administrative
rules that establish regulatory criteria for the siting of energy facilities in
New Hampshire by Jan. 1, 2015. The
goal was for these new criteria to guide the SEC in making the required
statutory findings as to whether a proposed facility’s application met the test
for regulatory approval. </div>
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Another goal
for these new rules was to assure the public, energy facility developers and
all stakeholders in the SEC’s decision-making process that SEC decisions would
be guided by a common set of decision-making criteria. <o:p></o:p></div>
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SB 281
provides the SEC with direction on what policy goals should be met with the new
administrative rules mandated by SB 99.
It offers eight discrete standards that the new rules should address. It also authorizes the SEC to provide a
property value guarantee to individual landowners when the SEC concludes that
the landowner’s real estate value is adversely impacted by the siting of a
specific project. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<br />
If you have questions or comments regarding SB 281, please contact Chris Wells at cwells@forestsociety.org or 224-9945.</div>
Forest Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10522556834059348775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269655722478678009.post-70063168074711509292014-03-11T11:41:00.002-04:002014-03-11T14:50:59.871-04:00Talking Points for SB 200 and SB 245<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong>SB 200: State-Owned Transportation Corridors as Energy Facility
Corridors</strong><o:p></o:p></div>
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This bill is designed to address urgent concerns raised
by communities and landowners directly in the path of a
non-reliability, elective, merchant transmission line proposed to bring
Canadian electricity to southern New England through New Hampshire. If this
power is wanted to meet southern New England’s energy needs, it should not be
transmitted through New Hampshire on towers well above tree height if the
communities and landowners directly affected do not want these large overhead
transmission facilities. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The SB 361 Commission reported that there was a feasible
alternative to large overhead transmission systems: undergrounding along state-owned
transportation corridors. SB 200 provides statutory authority for the New
Hampshire Department of Transportation to identify state-owned transportation
corridors that could be used for underground energy facilities --- like
electric transmission lines or gas pipelines. It provides the SEC with
authority to request proposals from energy facility developers and to lease at
fair-market value energy corridors designated. It also provides the SEC
with the authority to prioritize underground siting of merchant electric
transmission lines in cases where the projects are <u>not</u> required for
system reliability.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This process will be a triple win for the State of New Hampshire.
First, it provides developers of energy transmission facilities workable,
long distance corridors. Second, it provides an underground alternative
to unsightly overhead transmission lines. And third, it provides the
state with a new revenue stream for road and bridge maintenance. New
Hampshire should be on the front edge of new technologies that offer innovative
ways of meeting present and future energy needs. SB 200 provides a
pathway for New Hampshire to be on the leading edge.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As a North Country business owner wrote in Monday's <u>Berlin
Daily Sun</u>, SB 200 is good for business and good for people: the bill
"provide[s] some stability and foresight in the planning of certain large
energy infrastructure projects. Energy developers will know that certain types
of projects will have a corridor available and correspondingly are not appropriate
outside the corridor. This will reduce if not eliminate a lot of the wasted
time, effort and money expended in trying to site controversial projects. The
efficient use of human and capital resources in developing large projects is of
critical importance. As an investor and shareholder of energy related projects,
greater efficiency makes sense to me."<o:p></o:p></div>
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<strong>SB 245 – Reforming the Site Evaluation Committee</strong><o:p></o:p></div>
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In the spring of 2013, Commissioner Burack told a House committee
that the current SEC process was close to the “breaking point” and that
legislative reform was needed. In response, the Legislature passed SB 99,
requiring the Office of Energy and Planning to conduct a public stakeholder
process to identify the issues of greatest concern and to issue a report to
assist the Legislature in identifying reforms. That report was presented
on December 31, 2013, and informs many of the provisions contained in SB
245. Failure to act this session on SB 245 will likely mean picking up the
pieces of a broken process after it happens.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The SEC is presently structured as “one stop shopping” for
developers of energy facilities that generate or transmit electricity in
volumes of 30 megawatts or more. Under current law, 15 state agency heads
serve as standing members of the SEC; they sit as judges on applications for
new energy facilities in an adjudicative process established in RSA 162-H.
These "judges" approve the application as presented, approve it with
conditions, or deny it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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SB 245 addresses the following problems in the present structure
and process:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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1. <u>Disconnect between the statute's core purpose and the
decision-making the SEC is tasked to perform: no public interest finding
required.</u>The fundamental purpose of RSA 162-H is to serve the public
interest in balancing the environment with the need for new energy. Yet none of
the statutory findings the SEC is now required to establish in rendering a
decision includes answering the big picture question of whether a proposed
project is actually in the public interest.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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SB 245 adds two new required findings to the three currently
required by the statute (RSA 162-H:16). The first new finding is that the <u>SEC
must make a determination that the project is in the public interest.</u> The
second is that the SEC must make a determination that the proposed project is
consistent with the State’s energy policy presently being developed by the
Office of Energy and Planning.<o:p></o:p></div>
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2. <u>The absence of a role for municipalities in the
decision-making process</u>. Municipalities have no seat at the SEC table where
land use decisions directly impacting the community are made. <o:p></o:p></div>
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SB 245 does not remedy this deficiency by placing a member of the
impacted community on the SEC, but it does require <u>regional representation
of public members to serve on the SEC</u>. It also requires the new
public interest finding to specifically <u>consider local zoning ordinances and
municipal master plans</u> in reaching a determination on the question of
whether the project proposed is in the public interest. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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3. <u>Public engagement in the SEC process is drastically
compressed</u>. Under current law, there is only one required public hearing on
a proposed application, which must occur within 30 days of an SEC determination
that an application is complete and ready for SEC consideration. The
public learns about the details of the project at the same hearing at which it
is expected to comment.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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SB 245 changes this by requiring the applicant to hold a<u>
pre-application public information meeting and by requiring the SEC to hold a
post application public information meeting followed by a later public hearing</u>.
This provides the applicant with the opportunity to share the project
formally with the public before submitting an application, and it provides the
public with an opportunity to learn about the application as proposed BEFORE it
is afforded the opportunity to make substantive comments on the proposal.
SB 245 also clarifies the role of the “public counsel” in SEC
proceedings; the public counsel is an assistant attorney general appointed by
the Attorney General to assure that the public interest in a well-informed SEC
decision is attained with each application considered by the SEC.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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4. <u>The 15 statutory members of the SEC do not have the time
necessary to fulfill the task of sitting on today’s SEC as judges.</u>
One application alone can consume 25 or more full days of a
commissioner’s work year. This makes it extremely difficult for them to
do the primary jobs they are each hired to do. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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SB 245 proposes to replace the current statutory members of the
SEC with an <u>independent panel of seven individuals</u>, nominated and vetted
through the same process that senior agency leaders are now nominated and
vetted. Under SB 245 the state agencies will continue to provide the SEC
with information critical to the decisions the SEC makes, but they will no
longer be required to have their leaders serve as SEC judges. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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5. <u>The SEC has no staff or resources</u> to do one of the most
important and high profile responsibilities performed by state government on
behalf of the state’s citizens. No application fee is charged to an
applicant, yet the state spends thousands of taxpayer dollars in payroll and
benefits alone for each day that the members of the SEC meet, take testimony
and deliberate on an application.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
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SB 245 rectifies this resource drain by providing <u>a means to
charge fees to recover the costs of doing the SEC’s work and by providing the
SEC with a staff director</u>.<br />
<br />
NOTE: See the amended versions of HB 200 and HB 245 in the <a href="http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/Senate/calendars_journals/calendars/2014/sc%209.pdf" target="_blank">N.H. Senate Calendar</a>.<br />
<br />
If you have questions or comments regarding SB 200 or SB 245, please contact Will Abbott at wabbott@forestsociety.org or 224-9945.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Forest Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10522556834059348775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269655722478678009.post-2880193431668170172014-02-19T12:29:00.000-05:002014-02-19T12:29:02.624-05:00Testimony in favor of SB200, the Bradley burial bill
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">February
19, 2014<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">The
Honorable Russell Prescott, Chairman<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Committee
on Energy & Natural Resources<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">New
Hampshire State Senate<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">The State
House<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Concord,
NH<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>03301<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Dear
Chairman Prescott:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Our
organizations support SB 200 and the protocols it creates for the potential use
of state-owned transportation rights of way as locations for energy
infrastructure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We believe SB 200
provides a possible pathway for a win-win resolution of difficult issues
presented by new merchant transmission projects likely to arise in today’s
rapidly transforming energy market place.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">We
recognize that to successfully meet future electricity needs in New Hampshire
and New England new and upgraded transmission systems will be needed to get
electricity from its source to consumers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We also recognize that in each choice we make about specific energy
projects there are trade-offs, often complicated by the dynamic electricity
market itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SB 200 provides New
Hampshire with a new pathway to meet future electricity transmission needs
while at the same time avoiding the most negative impacts of large over-head
transmission towers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It may also provide
a new stream of revenue to the State to help meet the needs of highway and
bridge maintenance.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">If New
Hampshire is to host a high voltage extension cord from Quebec to electricity
markets to our south, the extension cord must only be built on terms that are
acceptable to the people of New Hampshire, and particularly to the communities
directly affected by a proposed project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>SB 200 provides New Hampshire with a means to address the new breed of
overhead merchant transmission lines that can unnecessarily scar communities
and their natural landscapes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>New burial
technology developed by manufacturers in Europe allow for burial of
high-voltage direct current cables in a way that could deliver power through
New Hampshire to markets south of us without the unsightly impacts of an
overhead transmission system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">In its 2012
session the General Court enacted SB 361, which created a legislative
commission to look into the feasibility of undergrounding of high voltage
electric transmission systems within state-owned transportation corridors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The final report of the SB 361 Commission was
conveyed to former Governor John Lynch on November 30, 2012.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Commission heard testimony over four
months from a wide variety of stakeholders, including:</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">The Maine State Office of Planning, charged
with implementation of a Maine statute designed to invite bids from private
energy facility developers to use<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maine
transportation corridors for underground utility infrastructure;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">ABB, a Swiss company that has developed “ HVDC
Light” technology, which it claims can be cost competitive with overhead
transmission systems when taking into account all operating expenses over the
life of a project; the company has working applications of this technology in
Denmark and Australia; ABB has started to build a manufacturing facility for
this new HVDC Light cable in the southeastern United States in anticipation of a
growing market for their produce in North America; </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">The New Hampshire Department of
Transportation, which identified for the Commission four specific
transportation corridors that would be eligible for hosting such underground
electric systems — Interstates 93, 89, 95 and Route 101 between Manchester and
the Seacoast;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Independent System Operator New England, the
non-profit that manages wholesale electricity markets for the New England grid;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">The New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission;
and</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Representatives of utilities serving the New
Hampshire electricity market.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">The
Commission unanimously concluded that use of state-owned transportation
corridors should be explored further.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The majority of legislators on the panel concluded that legislation
should be introduced that requires merchant transmission projects proposing to
build an overhead transmission system in New Hampshire also submit to the NH
Site Evaluation Committee an underground alternative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Earlier this year, the House passed HB 569,
which would amend the SEC’s authorizing statute to provide the guidance that
favors underground alternatives to overhead merchant transmission systems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SB 200 puts the State in the position of
having a process in place that allows the State to offer specific state-owned
corridors for such underground facilities.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">New
technology for transmission of bulk electricity long distances is clearly
moving in the direction of constructing such facilities in workable underground
corridors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There will likely be strong
public support for such technology, particularly from communities that would
otherwise be negatively impacted by over-head facilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is clear that underground HVDC projects
proposed for Maine, Vermont, and New York are meeting with a level of public
acceptance not present for the overhead project currently being proposed for
New Hampshire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even Hydro-Québec has
recently agreed to bury its new transmission facility north of the
international boundary that will interconnect with the Champlain-Hudson Express
HVDC project, bringing 1000 megawatts of electricity from Québec to New York
City.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">With SB
200, New Hampshire can set a high but attainable bar for meeting new
electricity needs while at the same time protecting the natural landscapes that
make our State so distinctive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
strongly encourage the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to
recommend “Ought to Pass” on SB 200 to the full Senate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Sincerely,</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Will Abbott,
Society for the Protection of NH Forests<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><a href="mailto:wabbott@forestsociety.org"><span style="color: blue;">wabbott@forestsociety.org</span></a>,
224-9945, Ext 327<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Susan Arnold,
Appalachian Mountain Club<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><a href="mailto:sarnold@outdoors.org"><span style="color: blue;">sarnold@outdoors.org</span></a>,
664-2050<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Christophe
Courchesne, Conservation Law Foundation<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><a href="mailto:ccourchesne@clf.org"><span style="color: blue;">ccourchesne@clf.org</span></a>,
225-3060, Ext 3017<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Jim O’Brien, The
Nature Conservancy<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><a href="mailto:jim_obrien@tnc.org"><span style="color: blue;">jim_obrien@tnc.org</span></a>,
224-5853, Ext 28</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Forest Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10522556834059348775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269655722478678009.post-43417478530191443532014-02-19T12:22:00.000-05:002014-02-19T12:22:51.326-05:00Everywhere we look...we see transmission lines being buried.<br />
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<tr valign="top"><td height="83" style="border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px;"><img align="left" alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/_clear.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="1" /></td><td colspan="8" height="84"><img align="left" alt="EverywhereWeLook01" border="0" height="84" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/EverywhereWeLook_01.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="500" /></td><td height="83" style="border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px;"><img align="left" alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/_clear.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="1" /></td></tr>
<tr valign="top"><td colspan="10" height="7" style="border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px;"><img align="left" alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/_clear.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="1" /></td></tr>
<tr valign="top"><td colspan="2" height="89" style="border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px;"><img align="left" alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/_clear.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="1" /></td><td colspan="2" height="89"><img align="left" alt="EverywhereWeLook02" border="0" height="89" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/everywherewelook.jpeg" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="158" /></td><td bgcolor="#ffffff" colspan="4" height="336" rowspan="7" style="padding: 10px;"><div style="margin: 0px 0px 1em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><strong style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: 20px;">In Maine,</span></strong><span style="font-family: Georgia,Palatino,Times,serif;">underground along Interstate 95, the Northeast Energy Link.</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://www.northeastenergylink.com/default.aspx" target="_blank">Read about the project </a> | <a href="http://www.pressherald.com/news/huge-power-line-project-proposed_2012-10-25.html?pagenum=full" target="_blank">This project in the news</a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"><strong style="font-weight: bold;">In Vermont,</strong></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,Palatino,Times,serif; font-size: 14px;">the New England Clean Power Link, designed to bring HQ power to the region.</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><a href="http://www.necplink.com/" target="_blank">Read about the project</a> | <a href="http://www.vnews.com/news/9129786-95/proposed-hydropower-line-would-run-from-quebec-to-ludlow-vt" target="_blank">This project in the news</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"><strong style="font-weight: bold;">In New York,</strong></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,Palatino,Times,serif; font-size: 14px;">under rail beds and Lake Champlain, the Champlain-Hudson Express, designed to bring HQ power to New York.</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://www.chpexpress.com/" target="_blank">Read about the project </a> | <a href="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/21824/nys-board-approves-quebec-nyc-underground-power-line" target="_blank">This project in the news</a></span><br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"><strong style="font-weight: bold;">In Quebec,</strong></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,Palatino,Times,serif; font-size: 14px;">where Hydro-Quebec itself is putting the Canadian stretch of the Champlain-Hudson Express underground.</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://www.hydroquebec.com/hertel-new-york/en/" target="_blank">Read about the project</a></span></div>
</td><td colspan="2" height="356" rowspan="7" style="border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px;"><img align="left" alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/_clear.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="1" /></td></tr>
<tr valign="top"><td colspan="4" height="2" style="border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px;"><img align="left" alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/_clear.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="1" /></td></tr>
<tr valign="top"><td colspan="2" height="76" style="border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px;"><img align="left" alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/_clear.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="1" /></td><td colspan="2" height="76"><img align="left" alt="EverywhereWeLook04" border="0" height="76" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/everywherewelook0.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="158" /></td></tr>
<tr valign="top"><td colspan="4" height="14" style="border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px;"><img align="left" alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/_clear.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="1" /></td></tr>
<tr valign="top"><td colspan="2" height="83" style="border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px;"><img align="left" alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/_clear.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="1" /></td><td colspan="2" height="83"><img align="left" alt="EverywhereWeLook05" border="0" height="83" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/everywherewelook1.jpeg" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="158" /></td></tr>
<tr valign="top"><td colspan="4" height="3" style="border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px;"><img align="left" alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/_clear.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="1" /></td></tr>
<tr valign="top"><td colspan="2" height="89" style="border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px;"><img align="left" alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/_clear.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="1" /></td><td colspan="2" height="89"><img align="left" alt="EverywhereWeLook06" border="0" height="74" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/everywherewelook0a.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="158" /></td></tr>
<tr valign="top"><td colspan="10" height="15" style="border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px;"><img align="left" alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/_clear.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="1" /></td></tr>
<tr valign="top"><td height="235" rowspan="2" style="border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px;"><img align="left" alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/_clear.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="1" /></td><td colspan="8" height="40"><img align="left" alt="EverywhereWeLook07" border="0" height="40" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/EverywhereWeLook_07.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="500" /></td><td height="235" rowspan="2" style="border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px;"><img align="left" alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/_clear.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="1" /></td></tr>
<tr valign="top"><td bgcolor="#ffffff" colspan="8" height="177" style="padding: 9px;"><div style="margin: 0px 0px 1em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,Palatino,Times,serif; font-size: 11px;"><strong style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">In New Hampshire, </span></strong><span style="font-size: 14px;">Northern Pass instead proposes to use outdated technology to drape 180 miles of overhead transmission line on 1500 towers across two-thirds of the state. Burial would avoid the scar and the subsidy.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,Palatino,Times,serif; font-size: 14px;">The New Hampshire Department of Transportation has identified four existing state-owned transportation corridors that could host underground utility infrastructure. NH would get revenue from leasing such state-owned rights of way.</span></span><br />
<div align="center" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 1em 0px 0px; text-align: center;">
<strong style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Don't Give Hydro Quebec and Northeast Utilities a free pass <br />to let Northern Pass ruin New Hampshire's treasured landscapes and towns.</span></strong></div>
</td></tr>
<tr valign="top"><td colspan="10" height="12" style="border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px;"><img align="left" alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/_clear.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="1" /></td></tr>
<tr valign="top"><td height="57" style="border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px;"><img align="left" alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/_clear.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="1" /></td><td colspan="8" height="57"><img align="left" alt="EverywhereWeLook09" border="0" height="57" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/EverywhereWeLook_09.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="500" /></td><td height="57" style="border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px;"><img align="left" alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/_clear.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="1" /></td></tr>
<tr valign="top"><td colspan="10" height="1" style="border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px;"><img align="left" alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/_clear.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="1" /></td></tr>
<tr valign="top"><td colspan="3" height="140" style="border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px;"><img align="left" alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/_clear.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="1" /></td><td colspan="2" height="140"><a href="http://www.outdoors.org/conservation/wherewework/wmnf/northern-pass-project.cfm" target="_blank" title="AMC"><img align="left" alt="EverywhereWeLook16" border="0" height="140" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/EverywhereWeLook_16.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="164" /></a></td><td height="141" rowspan="2"><a href="http://forestsociety.org/issues/northern-pass/" target="_blank" title="SPNHF"><img align="left" alt="EverywhereWeLook14" border="0" height="141" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/EverywhereWeLook_14.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="77" /></a></td><td height="142" rowspan="3"><a href="http://www.clf.org/northern-pass/%20" target="_blank" title="CLF"><img align="left" alt="EverywhereWeLook1" border="0" height="142" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/EverywhereWeLook_11.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="111" /></a></td><td colspan="3" height="142" rowspan="3" style="border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px;"><img align="left" alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/_clear.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="1" /></td></tr>
<tr valign="top"><td colspan="5" height="1" style="border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px;"><img align="left" alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/_clear.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="1" /></td></tr>
<tr valign="top"><td colspan="6" height="1" style="border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px;"><img align="left" alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/_clear.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="1" /></td></tr>
<tr valign="top"><td colspan="10" height="55" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px;"><img align="left" alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/_clear.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="1" /></td></tr>
<tr valign="top"><td colspan="10" height="472"></td></tr>
<tr style="font-size: 1px; visibility: hidden;"><td><img align="left" alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/_clear.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="1" /></td><td><img align="left" alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/_clear.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="13" /></td><td><img align="left" alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/_clear.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="44" /></td><td><img align="left" alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/_clear.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="114" /></td><td><img align="left" alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/_clear.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="50" /></td><td><img align="left" alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/_clear.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="77" /></td><td><img align="left" alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/_clear.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="111" /></td><td><img align="left" alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/_clear.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="90" /></td><td><img align="left" alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/_clear.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="1" /></td><td><img align="left" alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://secretagency.net/client/fs/Resources/_clear.gif" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="1" /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</tbody></table>
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</tbody></table>
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In Maine,<br />
underground along Interstate 95, the Northeast Energy Link.<br />
Read about the project | This project in the news<br />
<br />
In Vermont,<br />
the New England Clean Power Link, designed to bring HQ power to the region.<br />
Read about the project | This project in the news<br />
<br />
In New York,<br />
under rail beds and Lake Champlain, the Champlain-Hudson Express, designed to bring HQ power to New York.<br />
Read about the project | This project in the news<br />
<br />
In Quebec,<br />
where Hydro-Quebec itself is putting the Canadian stretch of the Champlain-Hudson Express underground.<br />
Read about the project<br />
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In New Hampshire, Northern Pass instead proposes to use outdated technology to drape 180 miles of overhead transmission line on 1500 towers across two-thirds of the state. Burial would avoid the scar and the subsidy.<br />
<br />
The New Hampshire Department of Transportation has identified four existing state-owned transportation corridors that could host underground utility infrastructure. NH would get revenue from leasing such state-owned rights of way.<br />
<br />
Don't Give Hydro Quebec and Northeast Utilities a free pass <br />
to let Northern Pass ruin New Hampshire's treasured landscapes and towns.<br />
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
In Maine,<br />
underground along Interstate 95, the Northeast Energy Link.<br />
Read about the project | This project in the news<br />
<br />
In Vermont,<br />
the New England Clean Power Link, designed to bring HQ power to the region.<br />
Read about the project | This project in the news<br />
<br />
In New York,<br />
under rail beds and Lake Champlain, the Champlain-Hudson Express, designed to bring HQ power to New York.<br />
Read about the project | This project in the news<br />
<br />
In Quebec,<br />
where Hydro-Quebec itself is putting the Canadian stretch of the Champlain-Hudson Express underground.<br />
Read about the project<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
In New Hampshire, Northern Pass instead proposes to use outdated technology to drape 180 miles of overhead transmission line on 1500 towers across two-thirds of the state. Burial would avoid the scar and the subsidy.<br />
<br />
The New Hampshire Department of Transportation has identified four existing state-owned transportation corridors that could host underground utility infrastructure. NH would get revenue from leasing such state-owned rights of way.<br />
<br />
Don't Give Hydro Quebec and Northeast Utilities a free pass <br />
to let Northern Pass ruin New Hampshire's treasured landscapes and towns.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
In Maine,<br />
underground along Interstate 95, the Northeast Energy Link.<br />
Read about the project | This project in the news<br />
<br />
In Vermont,<br />
the New England Clean Power Link, designed to bring HQ power to the region.<br />
Read about the project | This project in the news<br />
<br />
In New York,<br />
under rail beds and Lake Champlain, the Champlain-Hudson Express, designed to bring HQ power to New York.<br />
Read about the project | This project in the news<br />
<br />
In Quebec,<br />
where Hydro-Quebec itself is putting the Canadian stretch of the Champlain-Hudson Express underground.<br />
Read about the project<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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In New Hampshire, Northern Pass instead proposes to use outdated technology to drape 180 miles of overhead transmission line on 1500 towers across two-thirds of the state. Burial would avoid the scar and the subsidy.<br />
<br />
The New Hampshire Department of Transportation has identified four existing state-owned transportation corridors that could host underground utility infrastructure. NH would get revenue from leasing such state-owned rights of way.<br />
<br />
Don't Give Hydro Quebec and Northeast Utilities a free pass <br />
to let Northern Pass ruin New Hampshire's treasured landscapes and towns.<br />
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<br />Forest Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10522556834059348775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269655722478678009.post-59877716947497673972014-01-14T11:53:00.002-05:002014-01-14T11:53:39.625-05:00Why Passing House Bill 569 is a Good Idea<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">HB 569 is a good first step toward recognizing that there are new burial technologies that can mitigate the adverse impacts of large new overhead transmission facilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also makes a clear statement that New Hampshire should join with our neighboring states to encourage the use of these new technologies to protect our natural landscapes from degradation.</span><br />
<br />
You can read an op-ed written by Sugar Hill resident Nancy Martland,<br />
<a href="http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/opinion/commentary/1026144-474/house-should-state-a-preference-for-buried.html#" target="_blank">HB569: Buried Lines Should Be the Preferred Option</a> about the bill.<br />
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The House Committee on Science, Technology &
Energy overwhelmingly voted to recommend “Ought To Pass” for HB 569 after considerable public testimony and
Committee deliberation.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The bill as recommended provides the New
Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee (established in RSA 162-H) with guidance on
siting of new electricity transmission lines, guidance which recognizes the
value of New Hampshire natural landscapes statewide.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></o:p> </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here's the text of HB569:</span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<o:p>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>New Section;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Criteria
for Approving Transmission Lines for Certificates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amend<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>RSA 162-H by inserting after section 2 the following new section: <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<strong>
</strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>162-H:2-a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Criteria
for Approving<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Transmission Lines<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Certificates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>determining that<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a transmission line<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>described<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>RSA 162-H:2, VII(d)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(e) meets<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>criteria for<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>a certificate under this chapter, the committee shall<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>take into consideration the following:<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<strong>
</strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>I. Use of existing public rights<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of way, or, when unavailable, of private
rights of way shall be the preferred, but not required, option for locating all
new electric transmission lines.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<strong>
</strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>II.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Burial<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of electric<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>transmission lines shall be the preferred, but not required, option for
all elective electric transmission lines with supports over 50 feet.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<strong>
</strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>III.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
committee<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>may<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>presume<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>that<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>any line<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>not required for system<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>reliability and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>not proposed<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>to be substantially buried<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>will
have<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>an<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>unreasonably adverse <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>effect<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>on<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>aesthetics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The applicant may,
by a preponderance of the evidence, demonstrate that <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>an above-ground line should be approved<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>due<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>particular<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>circumstances, including<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>not<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>limited <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>engineering<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>feasibility, adverse<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>environmental impact,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>substantially<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>disproportionate cost<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>factors,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>lack<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of negative impact for the
route involved.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">HB 569 <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>does
not mandate</u></b> burial of any transmission lines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Specifically the bill says the SEC shall
“take into consideration” in its determination of whether a new transmission
project should be permitted the following:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The new line should consider using existing
publicly owned rights of way for new transmission facilities <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Burial should be the preferred option for
elective transmission lines which would otherwise require above ground towers
in excess of 50 feet in height (tree line)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Consider the presumption that large new above
ground transmission facilities not needed for reliability of the current
electric grid will have an unreasonably adverse effect on aesthetics <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If an applicant for a new transmission facility
can demonstrate to the SEC that a preponderance of the evidence warrants that a
new elective transmission line should be built above ground rather than
underground this bill explicitly provides the authority of the SEC to make such
a finding.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">New Hampshire presently hosts approximately 1400
miles of existing transmission lines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>HB
569 will have no impact on these lines.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">New Hampshire presently hosts approximately
18,000 linear miles of existing distribution lines, the lines that move
electricity to end users.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>HB 569 will
have no impact on these lines. </span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">HB 569 only applies to new transmission lines,
and the burial provision (again not a mandate) only applies to new transmission
lines that are elective, those facilities not needed to serve the reliability
of the electric grid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Forest Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10522556834059348775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269655722478678009.post-70511868995902854062013-11-14T17:22:00.000-05:002013-11-25T17:23:09.345-05:00Analysts Talk Turkey on Northern Pass
The following was published by Washington Analysis, a financial analyis firm in DC, offering an opinion on Northeast Utilities' optimistic view of their Northern Pass project:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Northeast Utilities' Northern Pass: The
Neverending Story [NU]</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">by Rob Rains [202-756-4431] and Tim
VandenBerg [202-756-7714]</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> -- <b>We caution investors that Northeast
Utilities'</b> (NU-$42) <b>Northern Pass transmission project, which
would transport 1,200 megawatts (MW) of hydro power supplied by <span style="background: white;">Hydro-Québec</span> from Canada into New England,
likely faces significant delays and cost increases.</b> The New
England Independent System Operator (ISO-NE) forecasts that, due to the
retirement of more than 8,000 MW of generation, including <b>Entergy's</b>
(ETR-$63) Vermont Yankee, the region will need 6,000 MW of generation by 2020
to replace it. Coal consumption is rapidly decreasing in the region, with
only six plants remaining, and if replacement power is not supplied by hydro
then it will likely come from natural gas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Regulatory hurdles and
substantial political headwinds will likely prevent the project from going into
service before 2018, at the earliest with delays until 2019-2020 very possible
as well. We simply disagree with Northeast Utilities' past statement that
it expects Northern Pass to be in service in 2017 and that it will receive
state siting approval in 2015. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">We also expect the firm to
succumb to overwhelming political pressure from Gov. Maggie Hassan (D), Sen.
Kelly Ayotte (R), and state lawmakers calling for them to bury more of the
project underground in the northernmost portion of the state, beginning in
Pittsburg and traveling through Coos County. This will significantly
increase the already $1.4 billion price tag of the project and the time to
completion. We note that Northeast Utilities' revised proposal, which
called for burying just 7.5 miles of the 187-mile project underground, raised
costs by more than 16%. Although 147 miles of Northern Pass will be built
on existing rights of way, the most contested portion of the project is a
stretch beginning in Pittsburg near the Canadian border and making its way
through Coos County and further south. Residents are upset because an
above ground transmission line would necessitate 100-150-foot towers that would
obstruct residents' scenic views. Political opposition is strong and
bipartisan and we think the company will ultimately need to bury this stretch
of the line in order to appease residents and move the project forward.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Delays and continued
uncertainty should be viewed as a <i>positive</i> for natural gas fuel usage in
the region, which already supplies 53% of the electricity to New England, even
though transportation constraints during winter months remain an issue. <span style="background: white;">Hydro generation accounts for about 8% of net
electricity generation in New England, but transmission remains a huge concern
and natural gas pipelines could fill this need in lieu of this resource. </span>We
note that from <span style="background: white;">2013-2016, </span>New England
will be bringing <span style="background: white;">1,193 MW of capacity online,
and 50% of it will be natural gas, with 35% from wind. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In addition to a lengthy
review time for a presidential permit, approval from the New Hampshire Site
Evaluation Committee (NHSEC) is also needed. Northeast Utilities expects
this process to take one year to complete, but we think it will take <i>at
least</i> two years from the time of submission. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Additional points for
investors to consider include the following:</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">After
more than two years, last week the DOE closed its comment period on the <i>scope</i>
of an eventual draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that is
unlikely to be published before late Q2 2014. While the DOE received just
~5,600 comments, it has demonstrated a heightened sensitivity to the politics
of this proposal, as evidenced by leaving the scoping comment period open for
more than two years.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">After
the draft EIS is published, DOE will commence a 60-90 day comment period, and
will likely hold at least one hearing (possibly more) within the state.
Earlier scoping hearings were very well attended, and the prevailing feedback
was <i>negative</i>, increasing the uncertainty over the project's future.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">A
final EIS is unlikely before Q1 2015 and triggers an up-to 90-day interagency
review process among federal agencies. At this point, Secretary Ernest
Moniz could make a decision sometime in 2H 2015, or else Q1 2016. Given
opposition to the project, this decision will likely be appealed in federal
court, further increasing the uncertainty about the project's federal permits.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">At
the state level, Northeast Utilities may submit its application for NHSEC review
with only the draft EIS. This will be equal in importance to the DOE
review, but it is less certain due to its structure.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
NHSEC is a 15-member body of officials that work for other state agencies and
convene for specific proposals. Its statutory underpinning calls for
decisions on projects within nine months, but this has routinely been surpassed
for far <i>smaller</i> projects within the state with much less political
headwind. We believe that it will most likely be at least two years before
the NHSEC approves Northern Pass from the date the application is submitted,
which we expect by Q3 2014. In light of landowner and stakeholder
opposition, an NHSEC decision is almost certain to be followed by requests for
rehearing and then by appeals to the New Hampshire Supreme Court, which could
easily take more than a year.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Although
NHSEC approves the project itself, it has <i>no</i> authority to exercise
eminent domain. We view this as material because there is a persistent
legal question about whether or not Northeast Utilities must purchase any
additional rights of way to fully complete construction. We note that the
Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests is likely to challenge this
assertion in state court, fueling uncertainty about the completion of this
project.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Unlike
interstate natural gas pipelines that NHSEC has reviewed in the past, which
carry federal eminent domain authority, this is not an option for Northern
Pass. The New Hampshire legislature closed that option in 2012
specifically for non-reliability projects like this.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">New
Hampshire politicians, including Gov. Maggie Hassan (D) and Sen. Ayotte (R),
oppose the project in its current state and have called for additional miles of
the line to be buried underground. We view the political pressure in the
state as <i>likely</i> to force the company to bury more of the project to
secure approval by the NHSEC. The recent announcement of the 150-mile
1,000 MW <span style="background: white;">TDI <b>Blackstone</b> (BX-$27) </span>transmission
line that will be buried under Lake Champlain has fueled the belief by many
within the Granite state that Northeast Utilities can and <i>should</i> bury
Northern Pass.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Once
completed, the project will transport 1,200 MW, or more than 8% of New
England's current electricity supply, of predominantly hydroelectric power,
under a 40-year agreement with <span style="background: white;">Hydro-Québec</span>.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Recent plant shutdowns totaling more than 8,000 MW and the
need for 6,000 MW of replacement power should drive additional natural gas
consumption within the region. We note that closures like <b>Dominion's</b>
(D-$66) Salem Harbor-coal (740 MW), Brayton Point (1,500 MW), and <b>Entergy's</b>
Vermont Yankee (640 MW) are all in the works.</span></div>
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Forest Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10522556834059348775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269655722478678009.post-37173586799048260042013-11-07T18:10:00.000-05:002013-11-25T18:10:47.394-05:00Gamechanger: Is Northern Pass Obsolete?<div class="VN-Body-Text-1stGraphDateline">
As reported by a variety of sources, including AP reporter Wilson Ring, a New York company is proposing to build a 1,000MW transmission line to bring power from Hydro-Quebec to New England via Vermont. Unlike the 1200MW Northern Pass proposal, the $1.2 billion "New England Clean Power Link" would be placed under water and underground.</div>
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Given that the Vermont proposal would bring the same energy to the same market at a comparable price in a similar time frame, it would seem that Northern Pass will find it difficult to make a case for an overhead line that has met fierce public opposition.</div>
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<hardreturn>"I would say Northern Pass is obsolete and I would add that it is politically untenable," Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests spokesman Jack Savage said. PSNH's only hope to hold onto a transmission project now would be to go underground using transportation corridors, he said.</hardreturn><br />
<hardreturn>"Northern Pass missed their window of opportunity ... because they have been fixated on existing right-of-ways...They have as much chance of building an overhead (transmission project) as the St. Louis Cardinals do of winning a game 7," he added.</hardreturn><br />
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Kathryn Marchocki's story in the Union Leader can be read here:</div>
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<a href="http://www.unionleader.com/article/20131101/NEWS05/131109966">http://www.unionleader.com/article/20131101/NEWS05/131109966</a></div>
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Wilson Ring's AP story:</div>
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<em>Montpelier--A New York company announced Thursday it hopes to build a 150-mile power line from the Canadian border under Lake Champlain and then across Vermont to the town of Ludlow where it would plug into the New England electric grid.</em></div>
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<em> The $1.2 billion New England Clean Power Link line could carry up to 1,000 megawatts of Canadian hydro-electricity, enough to supply about 1 million homes, said Donald Jessome, president of TDI New England.</em></div>
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<em>TDI New England is a subsidiary of the New York based investment giant Blackstone Group, which would provide funding for the project. Jessome said he expected it would take five years to complete the regulatory process and construction. The company hopes to begin transmitting power in 2019.</em></div>
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You can read the rest of the AP story here:</div>
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<a href="http://www.vnews.com/news/9129786-95/proposed-hydropower-line-would-run-from-quebec-to-ludlow-vt">http://www.vnews.com/news/9129786-95/proposed-hydropower-line-would-run-from-quebec-to-ludlow-vt</a><br />
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Forest Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10522556834059348775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269655722478678009.post-9011460820911176222013-11-05T12:36:00.001-05:002013-11-15T09:28:48.749-05:00Forest Society Calls on DOE to Suspend Northern Pass Permitting Process<span style="font-family: inherit;">In her most recent <a href="http://nonorthernpassnh.blogspot.com/p/jane-difleyspnhf-eis-scoping.html" target="_blank">comments</a> on the scope of the Environmental Impact Statement, Forest Society President/Forester Jane Difley called on the Department of Energy to suspend the permitting process.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"We believe that the Department should suspend the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process until the Applicant can establish that it has secured the legal rights to utilize the preferred and alternative routes," Difley wrote.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> "</span>It would be a profound misapplication of the core principle of NEPA --- to assure that the public interest is served by the consideration of least damaging environmental alternatives --- if DOE itself enables continued consideration of the Applicant’s preferred or alternative corridors when neither can stand legally."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"The Amended Proposal preferred corridor proposes to bury 7 plus miles of the transmission facility in two separate segments in northern Coos County. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>These two underground segments are proposed for the sole reason that there is no other way for the project to connect its other 180 miles of overhead structures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>The first underground segment of 2300 feet in the towns of Pittsburg and Clarksville includes approximately 500 feet of distance through land we own in Clarksville, land which presently hosts a right-of-way for US Route 3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>This right-of-way was acquired in 1941, jointly by the towns of Pittsburg, Clarksville and Stewartstown for the purpose of hosting a road for public transportation purposes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>It is our view that using our otherwise unencumbered land for a private electric transmission facility represents an additional servitude on our land that can only occur with our consent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Without our consent Northern Pass can only acquire this interest in real estate through eminent domain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br /><br /> "Given that the New Hampshire Constitution precludes such use of eminent domain by private developers; given that the New Hampshire Legislature has legislatively precluded Northern Pass from using eminent domain to complete its project;and, given that the Forest Society has not consented to the proposed use of this land in Clarksville for the Northern Pass project, we conclude that the Northern Pass proposal relying on our Clarksville land is fatally flawed. The assertion by<br />Northern Pass that it can simply override our private property rights raises significant constitutional issues.<br /><br />"The Amended Proposal includes a second segment of 7 plus miles of underground transmission facilities along state and town roads in Clarksville and Stewartstown.The applicant submitted this proposal without consulting the State Department of Transportation, either of the local town governing bodies or the several landowners who actually own the land to the centerline of each of the roads included in the proposal.The Applicant asserts that this project is in the public interest, yet it fails to communicate with the public that will be most impacted by its amended proposal.We believe the DOE should not countenance such an encroachment on public and private property rights by allowing consideration of this “preferred” corridor.</span> "<br />
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<o:p></o:p>Forest Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10522556834059348775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269655722478678009.post-86710612586146440402013-11-04T15:59:00.000-05:002013-11-04T18:07:34.800-05:0098% of DOE Comment Cards Oppose Northern Pass<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgYjapgdip8_w0fP4dQ7T4JwOfNmErxGGWpg76lENFQYLXHWFeQXZLW3lydLgBfhZbA4JIfh0m1NUP0qkYZehMvN7xsXE1_fQKeIKKGe1Fy98VuHtO_hnm6SS-jQM7-Sz-jf1PuJGG80/s1600/cards2ndbatch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgYjapgdip8_w0fP4dQ7T4JwOfNmErxGGWpg76lENFQYLXHWFeQXZLW3lydLgBfhZbA4JIfh0m1NUP0qkYZehMvN7xsXE1_fQKeIKKGe1Fy98VuHtO_hnm6SS-jQM7-Sz-jf1PuJGG80/s320/cards2ndbatch.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Forest Society submitted comment cards to the Department of Energy today from a total of 2,159 different landowners representing 138 different towns in New Hampshire and several states. Of those, 2123, or 98 percent, express opposition to the proposed overhead transmission line. The balance, 36, or 2 percent, expressed support for Northern Pass.<br />
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Each of the cards is addressed to the Department of Energy expressing opposition to Northern Pass. Each card includes the name and address of the person, and their reasons for objecting to Northern Pass. The Forest Society sent the cards to the DOE, as well as tabulated results.<br />
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Of those who expressed opposition to Northern Pass, 45 percent said that they opposed it in any form while 48 percent indicated that they could support an alternate route buried along appropriate transportation corridors or that used the existing Hydro Quebec corridor from Canada to Massachusetts.<br />
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The respondents also indicated one or more reasons they opposed Northern Pass. Of those, "Impacts on our scenic landscape, tourism and our New Hampshire way of life" and "Impacts on the White Mountain National Forest and other conserved lands" topped the list with 86 percent and 85 percent respectively. Seventy-two percent indicated "The use of eminent domain against private landowners", followed by "Impact on my land, including property values" at 53%.<br />
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The Forest Society believes the voice and will of the people matter when it comes to decision-making and permitting. We have asked the DOE to include as
part of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) some measure of the overwhelming objection to Northern Pass as
proposed, and some measure of what the impact would be if a permit were granted
despite those overwhelming public objections. Though there is no binding
popular vote on Northern Pass, public opinions need to count and be acknowledged
in the EIS.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
The primary purpose of a Presidential Permit is to make a
determination that a project crossing an international border actually serves
the public interest. The Forest Society believes the DOE should consider, based on public input, a
conclusion that the public interest <u>will not</u> be served by
granting a Presidential Permit for this project as proposed. If the DOE
reaches such a conclusion, it should reject the application and cease any
further work on the EIS.<o:p></o:p>Forest Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10522556834059348775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269655722478678009.post-4379334472067870042013-11-02T18:33:00.000-04:002013-11-04T18:34:02.826-05:00Underground Vermont Proposal May Bury Northern PassUnion Leader reporter Kathryn Marchocki reports <a href="http://www.unionleader.com/article/20131101/NEWS05/131109966/0/SEARCH" target="_blank">here</a> about a new proposal to bury--under Lake Champlain and underground--a 150-mile, 1000MW transmission line that could make the Northern Pass proposal redundant. <br />
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Like Northern Pass, the so-called "New England Clean Power Link" would transmit electricity from Hydro-Quebec to Ludlow, VT, where it would enter the New England grid. (There are many who seriously question the description of the large-scale hydropower facilities as "clean", and typically there is no guarantee that power transmitted on such lines will always be hydropower.)<br />
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Northern Pass has consistently argued that burying such a line would be cost prohibitive, and that it's own overhead transmission line was the only economic alternative for those who see benefit in allowing Hydro-Quebec to export more large scale hydropower to the southern New England market. The new proposal adds to the growing evidence that burial of transmission lines is not only possible, but that there are transmission developers actively seeking to permit and complete the projects based on current projections.<br />
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Given that Northern Pass's lack of legal access to its preferred route, the growing political demand for an underground alternative along transportation corridors, the need for Special Use Permits to use the White Mountain National Forest, and the overwhelming public opposition to Northern Pass's overhead proposal and the determination to fight as long as it takes, it would seem that the underground proposal in Vermont has a far greater likelihood of success, even at this early stage.<br />
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Forest Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10522556834059348775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269655722478678009.post-43878671112593157962013-10-25T12:49:00.000-04:002013-10-25T12:49:04.468-04:00AMC Birds-Eye Video of Proposed Northern Pass Towers<div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Using Northern Pass's own projected tower locations and tower heights, the Appalachian Mountain Club created a <a data-blogger-escaped-target="_blank" href="http://www.outdoors.org/conservation/wherewework/wmnf/northern-pass-video-project.cfm">series of flyover videos</a><span id="goog_1994719318"></span><span id="goog_1994719319"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a> showing the visual impact of the proposed overhead towers. For their part Northern Pass objected to the AMC's visual representation. Of course Northern Pass has also been telling those who live near the proposed transmission line that they will "pay to put up awnings" or "plant 100-foot trees" to block views of the towers, somehow missing the point that abutters want their view unspoiled, not blocked. As an aside, successfully re-planting a 100-foot mature Eastern White Pine successfully is a somewhat ludicrous idea.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: Times; font-size: medium; margin: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It's also worth noting that former PSNH CEO Gary Long, in touting Northern Pass, has said that in his case he "likes to look at towers." So maybe the disagreement isn't so much about how many towers can be seen from where but whether or not they are appropriate structures in places like the White Mountain National Forest and other conserved lands.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Northern Pass’s June 2013 preferred route for the northernmost 74 miles is of great concern to our organization and many others who value northern New Hampshire’s character and rugged beauty," the AMC said. "The AMC is conducting a new visual impact analysis of the half-mile range along the full Northern Pass corridor and we provide the video series depicting the visual impact of proposed transmission towers along the 186-mile route."</span></div>
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Forest Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10522556834059348775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269655722478678009.post-73339785159495856332013-10-24T11:22:00.001-04:002013-10-24T11:27:41.680-04:00Sen. Ayotte Says Northern Pass Should Pay to Bury LinesAccording to a story on NHPR by Chris Jensen that can be read or heard <a href="http://nhpr.org/post/ayotte-says-northern-pass-should-pay-have-lines-buried" target="_blank">here,</a> Senator Kelly Ayotte say she has serious reservation about Northern Pass as proposed and that the transmission lines should be buried instead of being overhead on towers.<br />
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“I know there have been other projects around the country that have been buried and if they could bury the lines here that would be the most appropriate thing to do,” she said.Forest Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10522556834059348775noreply@blogger.com0