Delegation Wants Longer Comment Period For Power Project

By • Jul 23, 2015

 

Credit File photos / NHPR

New Hampshire's Congressional delegation wants the public to get more time to comment on the proposed Northern Pass power transmission project.

The Department of Energy released its long-awaited environmental impact report on the project Tuesday, saying the plan to bring hydroelectric power from Quebec into southern New England on high-voltage lines through New Hampshire could hurt tourism, wildlife and property values — but would cost less than other alternatives.

The department says a 90-day public comment period will begin July 31, but members of the state's Congressional delegation on Wednesday asked for an extended comment period — citing the nearly 1,000 pages of documents..

As it did in previous letters, the delegation is calling for an additional 90 days — 180 days total — for the public to comment.

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Feds Release First Look At Environmental Impact Of Northern Pass

By Chris Jensen • Jul 21, 2015

The Department of Energy has released a long-awaited draft of its Environmental Impact Statement examining the Northern Pass project as well as alternatives including complete or partial burial.

The agency found that full burial of the lines would have the smallest impact visually but would be about twice as expensive.

However, it would also provide about 1,500 jobs, almost twice as many as putting the lines overhead.

Double Fault: State Officials Take Issue Again With Review Of Northern Pass Impact

By Chris Jensen • Jul 9, 2015
Chris Jensen for NHPR

State officials have again found fault with a federally required review of Northern Pass' potential impact on historical sites.

This is the second time within a month that the state’s Division of Historical Resources has taken issue with the federal review called Section 106.

As part of the permitting process, the Department of Energy must look at the potential impact to historical sites or views along Northern Pass’s proposed route. 

"Ride the Wilds" In Discussions With Northern Pass Over Multimillion-Dollar Donation

By Chris Jensen • Jul 2, 2015
mwmn via Flickr CC / https://flic.kr/p/9NC6L6

The organization behind the “Ride the Wilds” ATV network in the North Country is in talks with Northern Pass about getting a multimillion-dollar donation. But the founder of the group says accepting such a donation would not indicate Ride the Wilds endorses the controversial project.

Under the terms being discussed Northern Pass would give the North Country Off Highway Recreational Vehicle Coalition as much as $500,000 immediately, along with about 1,100 acres of land in the Diamond Pond area in Stewartstown and Colebrook. That land is valued at about $1.5 million.

State Criticizes Federal Review of Northern Pass Historical Impact

By Chris Jensen • Jun 26, 2015
Chris Jensen for NHPR

New Hampshire officials are not happy with the quality of a federal report that is supposed to gauge the Northern Pass’ impact on historic places and landscapes.

The critics are from the state’s Division of Historical Resources and the subject is what’s called a Section 106 review.

Northern Pass Historical Impact: A Dispute Over Transparency

By Chris Jensen • Jun 15, 2015
CREDIT EDGARS STRODS / FLICKR CREATIVE COMMONS

An important part of evaluating the impact of the Northern Pass project is a federal requirement for a historical review.

It’s called a Section 106 and it is supposed to determine whether the construction of Northern Pass – including the visual impact - will adversely affect any of the state’s historical sites.

It calls for public involvement – and the state’s congressional delegation - has said the Northern Pass review overall should be transparent.