Dept. of Energy recommends Northern Pass approval

On Thursday, August 10 the U.S. Department of Energy issued its Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the proposed Northern Pass transmission line.  The FEIS recommends the federal government grant a permit for the project.

Permitting process for the Northern Pass

The Northern Pass must receive a Presidential Permit, a Special Use Permit from the U.S. Forest Service, and the Section 404 Permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 

The FEIS informs the federal permitting process by describing environmental consequences of a project and evaluating alternatives.

The Northern Pass also needs approval from the state Site Evaluation Committee, which is holding public hearings this month on the proposal.

FEIS is important step for supporters

In a post on the project website, Northern Pass officials praised the FEIS and restated benefits of the project. 

“Beyond its clean energy benefits and energy cost savings, Northern Pass will provide a number of benefits unique to New Hampshire, including millions annually in additional tax revenue to communities along the route; $7.5 million to the North Country Job Creation Fund to develop and retain jobs in the North Country; thousands of acres set aside for conservation, recreation and mixed-use; and the $200 million Forward NH Fund to support clean energy innovations, economic development, community investment, and tourism.”

FEIS does not change the opinion of opponents

Opponents maintain that the project will have significant negative impact on the forests of northern New Hampshire.  According to an issue brief from the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests:

“The power line corridor and 90- to 135-foot-tall towers will permanently alter the lands they cross, fragmenting forests, disrupting wildlife habitat, disfiguring communities and lowering property values.”

The Society and other Northern Pass opponents believe Northern Pass developers should bury all of the lines or scrap the project.  Northern Pass officials have altered the original proposal to bury more lines, but they say it would cost too much to bury the entire route.

Have your say!

Do you support the Northern Pass project?  Share your opinion in the comments below.