Northern Pass Seeks to Resume Case Before N.H. Site Evaluation Committee and Presents Comprehensive Solution
Supporters say project deserves full consideration and urges
committee to pursue solution
MANCHESTER, N.H.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Northern Pass officials today filed
a motion with the N.H. Site Evaluation Committee (SEC) requesting
the committee vacate its recent decision and resume deliberations on the
proposed project. The motion outlines a comprehensive set of commitments
that could provide the basis for granting conditional approval.
“We appreciate the time and effort invested by the SEC members in
reviewing Northern Pass,” said Eversource New Hampshire President Bill
Quinlan. “Given the urgent need for cleaner, more affordable energy in
the region, it is important that we present for consideration a solution
that addresses the legitimate concerns raised during deliberations. We
are hopeful that the SEC will focus on the comprehensive set of
commitments that would establish a constructive path toward a
resolution.”
The solution presented by Northern Pass is comprised of conditions
received from New Hampshire state agencies (DOT, DES, DHR, PUC*) that
have approved the Project and conditions agreed to with Counsel for the
Public, the statutory representative of the New Hampshire public
interest. Additionally, Northern Pass presents examples of additional
conditions the SEC could impose to address specific concerns expressed
during its deliberations. Project proponents representing communities,
businesses, and workers joined Northern Pass in encouraging the SEC to
thoroughly evaluate the solution offered by Northern Pass, as well as
the $3 billion in benefits the project will bring to the Granite State.
Key Commitments
In its original SEC application, Northern Pass contemplated the need to
further economic development, tourism, community investment and clean
energy innovation, and these are the four focus areas for its $200
million Forward NH Fund. Key commitments highlighted in today’s motion
include the following specific allocations from the Fund:
- $25 million to address property value impacts in affected communities
- $25 million for promoting tourism and recreation in the affected areas
-
$25 million for economic development in host communities to address
local impacts
In addition, the proposed commitments include:
-
Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) in the downtown areas of both
Plymouth and Franconia to reduce construction impacts to businesses
and residents -
Energy cost benefits for business and low-income customers from the
sale of clean energy attributes (up to $300 million) -
Transmission upgrades in the North Country to promote existing (400MW)
and new small-scale renewable generation ($50 million) -
Dedicated funding for the North Country Job Creation Fund to support
economic development and job growth ($7.5 million) -
Public interest program funding to advance energy efficiency programs
for customers ($20 million) -
Right-of-way lease benefits that will lower customers’ transmission
costs and advance distributed generation, energy storage and electric
vehicle initiatives ($30 million) -
The unallocated balance of the $200 million in the Forward NH Fund is
available to the SEC for further conditions ($100M)
What is at Stake for New Hampshire and the
Region
Northern Pass stands to provide $3 billion in economic and environmental
benefits to New Hampshire. Benefits include:
-
$30 million in additional New Hampshire state and local tax revenue
annually - $62 million annual energy cost savings for New Hampshire consumers
-
Approximately $600 million annual reduction in the region’s wholesale
energy costs - 2,600 jobs for New Hampshire during peak construction
-
A reduction in regional carbon emissions by more than 3 million tons
per year
Northern Pass has received rigorous environmental reviews and approvals
from the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Forest Service, as well
as several New Hampshire state agencies, which confirmed many positive
aspects of the project, including the route selection, environmental and
economic benefits, and the much-needed large, new, reliable, clean
source of power Northern Pass would bring to the regional energy mix.
* Department of Transportation, Department of Environmental Services,
Department of Historical Resources, Public Utilities Commission
The Northern Pass is a 192-mile electric transmission line project
that will bring to New England 1,090 megawatts of clean hydropower. This
reliable and affordable source of power will also bring a wide range of
benefits to the region, including millions of dollars in energy cost
savings and a significant reduction in carbon emissions. To learn
more about Northern Pass, go to www.northernpass.us.
Eversource (NYSE: ES) is New Hampshire's largest electric utility,
serving more than 500,000 homes and businesses in 211 cities and towns,
and also supplies water to approximately 9,300 homes and businesses in
Hampton, North Hampton and Rye. Eversource is proud to be recognized as
the top contributor to United Way in New Hampshire. Recognized as the
top U.S. utility for its energy efficiency programs by the
sustainability advocacy organization Ceres, Eversource harnesses the
commitment of its more than 8,000 employees across three states to build
a single, united company around the mission of safely delivering
reliable energy and water with superior customer service. For more
information, please visit our website (www.eversource.com)
and follow us on Twitter (@eversourceNH)
and Facebook (facebook.com/EversourceNH).
For more information on our water services, visit www.aquarionwater.com.
Contacts
Northern Pass
Martin Murray, 603-634-2228
[email protected]
or
Kaitlyn
Woods, 603-634-2418
[email protected]