Northern Pass

For Northern Pass Crossing Conservation Land Would Mean A Long And Rocky Legal Road

Chris Jensen — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:53:07 +0000

In 2003 state and federal officials, a private land owner and conservation groups created a conservation easement to protect about 146,000 acres in northern Coos County from development.

It is called the Connecticut Lakes Headwaters and some opponents of Northern Pass fear the utility hopes to cross it to send hydro-electric power south from its partner – Hydro-Quebec.

But getting permission to do that would be a complicated procedure with so many hurdles it would be the longest of long shots, according to those familiar with such easements.

Northern Pass Foes Worry A Huge Conservation Tract Is Being Eyed

Chris Jensen — Wed, 08 May 2013 21:34:24 +0000

For more than a year landowners and a conservation group have been trying to keep Northern Pass from finding a route through Northern Coos County.

But there’s one possibility that would give Northern Pass a big step forward: Crossing a huge conservation tract controlled by the state.

Such an effort could easily make the project even more controversial.

NHPR’s Chris Jensen reports.

Hassan to Malloy: Hydro Doesn't Need Support

Sam Evans-Brown — Wed, 08 May 2013 20:58:47 +0000

Governor Maggie Hassan has sent a letter to the governor of Connecticut, Democrat Dannel Malloy, asking him to reject changes to that state’s renewable energy laws, called the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). The changes are seen as a boost to the controversial Northern Pass Transmission line.

The Governor Hassan’s letter says the Connecticut proposal that would allow hydro to be counted toward that state’s renewable energy goals quote, “undermines our common goal of fostering new and small-scale renewable resources here in New England.”

Northern Pass Says It Is Still Seeking Consensus

Chris Jensen — Fri, 03 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

During a quarterly conference call Thursday officials at Northeast Utilities, the parent company of the Northern Pass project, said while they have a new route they still aren’t ready to say where it goes.

And that the soonest the project could now get underway is 2017.

NHPR’s Chris Jensen listened in and has this report:

One reason the starting date of Northern Pass has slipped from 2015 to 2017 is opposition to the project.

Department of Energy Responds (More Or Less) To Shaheen And Ayotte Concern Over Northern Pass

Chris Jensen — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 22:44:16 +0000

Last month Northern Pass opponents complained that U.S. Department of Energy contractors working on the Northern Pass project were trespassing on their land to carry out environmental studies.

That prompted Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Kelly Ayotte to ask DOE about it.

Now DOE has responded but things are still unclear.

Company To Gauge Historic Impact of Northern Pass Chosen

Chris Jensen — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 13:56:36 +0000

The Department of Energy has chosen Southeastern Archaeological Research Inc. to review the impact of the Northern Pass hydro-electric project on the state’s historical sites, a DOE official says.

The firm has 70 full-time employees “who represent the complete range of disciplines necessary to conduct cultural resource projects,” according to the company’s website.

A New Battle: Review Of Historical Impact On Northern Pass Begins

Chris Jensen — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 21:31:44 +0000

On a spring day Nigel Manley, the manager of The Rocks Estate in Bethlehem, stands on a little knoll and admires the view.

“The Presidential Range. Today snow-covered and absolutely beautiful,” he says.

But this scene could become a new front in the battle opponents of Northern Pass are waging.

Northern Pass Lets Another Route Deadline Pass By

Sam Evans-Brown — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 20:27:45 +0000

Officials with the controversial Northern Pass project – a proposed 180 mile transmission line from the Canadian border to Deerfield – have missed another deadline.

A post on the project’s website states “although we have identified a new route which meets our project requirements, we believe it is in the best of interest of landowners, communities, and all stakeholders for us to continue to build on the details of this proposal and to take the time now to make some additional refinements before we begin the formal public review processes.”

DOE Collecting Info Without A Complete Northern Pass Route Not Unusual, Says Law Prof

Chris Jensen — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 18:29:14 +0000

Some North Country landowners are surprised that Department of Energy contractors are gathering environmental information on the Northern Pass project even though the route isn’t complete.

But Patrick Parenteau, a lawyer professor and expert in environmental law at the Vermont Law School, is not surprised.

Shaheen, Ayotte Query Feds On Northern Pass Trespassing Question

Chris Jensen — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 21:36:35 +0000

After some North Country residents complained that U.S. Department of Energy contractors working on the Northern Pass project are trespassing on their land, Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Kelly Ayotte have sent a letter to the federal Department of Energy looking into it.

Northern Pass Misses One Self-Imposed Deadline, But Announces A New Route

Chris Jensen — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 21:55:30 +0000

For much of the year officials at Northeast Utilities have been saying they would have the new route for Northern Pass submitted to the US Department of Energy by the end of the year.

But the New Year is here and while nothing has been posted with the DOE Northern Pass says it has a new route.

NHPR’s Chris Jensen reports.

In a conference call with analysts early in October Northeast Utilities official Lee Olivier said the company was “still on track” to file a new route with the Department of Energy by the end of the year.

Lawmakers Want To Reshape Energy Permitting In N.H.

Sam Evans-Brown — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 22:30:00 +0000

Proposed energy projects are causing a stir among New Hampshire lawmakers. Lawmakers will consider a raft of bills that would change how the state considers and approves such installations.

Ayotte: North Country Should Have "The Voice" In Northern Pass

Chris Jensen — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 14:05:24 +0000

Senator Kelly Ayotte says he North Country should have a major voice in what happens with the Northern Pass hydro-electric project.

Ayotte spoke about the project while in Pittsburg in the North Country on Friday for a town meeting.

NHPR’s Chris Jensen was there.

Pretty much the first issue raised with Sen. Kelly Ayotte was the Northern Pass project which – if approved – would probably cross the border near here.

“It seems to me you all should have the voice in this.”

DOE To Shaheen: No Problem With Northern Pass Contractor Selection

Chris Jensen — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 19:42:14 +0000

A U.S. Department of Energy official has told Senator Jeanne Shaheen that the federal agency did nothing wrong in approving several contractors to work on the Northern Pass project, dismissing allegations to the contrary from the Conservation Law Foundation.

Shaheen wrote the DOE in mid-October saying she was concerned about allegations made by the foundation.

The CLF said it used the Freedom-of-Information Act to obtain a series of emails between the federal agency and a lawyer for Northern Pass.

Hassan Picks "North Country Priorities" Team

Chris Jensen — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 21:26:34 +0000

Saying the North Country communities “possess unique strengths and face unique challenges” Governor-elect Maggie Hassan has appointed a North Country Priorities team.