NH Delegation Calls for New Environmental Review of Northern Pass Project

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), along with Representatives Ann McLane Kuster (NH-2) and Frank Guinta (NH-1), called on the Department of Energy (DOE) to add a supplement to the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Northern Pass Transmission project to analyze the newest "preferred route" proposal. The letter follows a request from several New Hampshire conservation groups that DOE postpone the currently scheduled public hearings and comment period deadlines until a thorough analysis of the newly proposed route is conducted. 

"As you know, on August 18, 2015, Northern Pass Transmission, LLC with Eversource Energy announced it would modify the preferred route for the proposed Northern Pass project. Based on the significant impact this project poses to New Hampshire, a thorough and transparent review of the new preferred route is necessary," wrote the delegation. "We support the request for a supplement or addendum to DOE's draft EIS and urge the Department to complete a detailed analysis of the new route immediately. Furthermore, we urge the Department to postpone the public hearings and comment period regarding the draft EIS until that relevant analysis is completed and available for public review."

The New Hampshire delegation has consistently pushed DOE to conduct an open and transparent process, so that residents in affected communities have ample information and opportunities to review, understand, and provide feedback on the project.

The full text of the letter is below. 

September 17, 2015

The Honorable Patricia Hoffman
Assistant Secretary
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Electricity Delivery & Energy Reliability
1000 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20585

Dear Assistant Secretary Hoffman:

We write regarding the request of the Appalachian Mountain Club, Audubon Society of New Hampshire, Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, Responsible Energy Action LLC, and The Nature Conservancy - NH Chapter for a supplement or addendum to the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Northern Pass Transmission project.

As you know, on August 18, 2015, Northern Pass Transmission, LLC with Eversource Energy announced it would modify the preferred route for the proposed Northern Pass project. Based on the significant impact this project poses to New Hampshire, a thorough and transparent review of the new preferred route is necessary. We support the request for a supplement or addendum to DOE's draft EIS and urge the Department to complete a detailed analysis of the new route immediately. Furthermore, we urge the Department to postpone the public hearings and comment period regarding the draft EIS until that relevant analysis is completed and available for public review.

We remain committed to ensuring that Granite Staters have the opportunity to understand and comment on the proposed Northern Pass project. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. We look forward to your timely response.