NH DELEGATION: GRANITE STATERS NEED MORE TIME TO REVIEW THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR NORTHERN PASS

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to the Department of Energy (DOE) release of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Northern Pass Transmission Project, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), along with Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-2) and Frank Guinta (NH-1) today renewed their call for an extended public comment period.  The Draft EIS provides information on potential environmental impacts of the proposed project that would bring hydroelectric power from Quebec into southern New England on high-voltage power lines through New Hampshire. Subject to public comment, the Draft EIS contains nearly 1,000 pages of material.

“While we are taking time to carefully review today’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement, the complexity and considerable length of the document, along with significant public interest in this proposed project, warrant an extended public comment period,” the delegation members said. “We believe that Granite Staters deserve more time to review, understand and provide comments on this document and that the Department must allow for meaningful input from residents before taking any next steps.”

The delegation previously called for an extended public comment period in two letters to DOE Assistant Secretary for the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability Patricia Hoffman. In their letters, the delegation requested that all public hearings be scheduled at least 90 days following the release of the Draft EIS and that public comments be accepted for at least 90 days following the final public hearing date.

The Department of Energy’s announcement indicates that a 90-day public comment period will begin on July 31, 2015, and will end on October 29, 2015. Public hearings are scheduled for October 6-8, 2015.