Gov. Lynch: Northern Pass needs to listen better

In his final State of the State speech, Gov. John Lynch addressed the following environmental issues, including his stand on the Northern Pass proposal:

"Over the past eight years, we’ve worked together to preserve thousands of acres of open space; to reduce mercury pollution; to protect our clean waters. 

We’re building a new energy future, with an energy efficiency fund to help businesses and residents cut their energy costs, and new standards that are spurring renewable energy projects.

 Now, we have new wind plants under construction, as well as a new biomass plant that will help create 400 construction jobs in Berlin and contribute enough home-grown energy to power about 70,000 homes.

These were bipartisan efforts, because New Hampshire citizens have long recognized that we have a responsibility to cherish and preserve our natural resources. 

I strongly believe that the New Hampshire environment that we give to our children and grandchildren should be just as good, if not better, than the one given to us. That is why I will stand firm against bills that undermine our environment. 

One of the biggest issues facing our state and our environment is the proposal for the Northern Pass. I support bringing more renewable power to our state. It is in our long-term interests to diversify our power sources, and we should not dismiss out of hand the idea of hydropower from Canada. 

But the proponents of Northern Pass need to listen better. This project cannot happen without local support. And it should not happen with eminent domain."