President of Public Service of New Hampshire, Gary Long, is stepping down to focus on the contested Northern Pass Transmission Line. He will remain a prominent voice in New Hampshire energy policy.
PSNH says the decision will allow Long to turn his attention to shepherding Northern Pass through the permitting process. “Setting aside the day-to-day operations of PSNH will allow him to devote his full focus to these activities,” says company spokesman Martin Murray, adding that Long remains “absolutely committed” to the project.
The transmission line, which would carry electricity from Large hydro-power facilities in Quebec to the New England Market, has submitted a new route to the federal government for approval.
Long will also continue to be involved in policy discussions in the New Hampshire legislature and with regulators.
The new interim president of PSNH will be Vice President of Energy Delivery Paul Ramsay. Previously Ramsay was in charge of ensuring that PSNH’s electric distribution network was running reliably. Ramsay’s old job has “a lot to do with the men and the women that our customers see on the streets everyday in the yellow trucks” says Murray.
