New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch has come down squarely on the side of the proposed Northern Pass transmission line project, apparently accepting as gospel the power company’s usual vague assertion that it will mean cheaper electricity and more jobs.
In an interview with the Concord Monitor, Lynch also minimized opposition to the plan, saying it only remained for PSNH to convince a few disgruntled locals for the project to succeed.
PSNH, by the way, stands for Public Service of New Hampshire, the sarcastically-named power company that provides electricity for most of New Hampshire but has nothing to do with “public service.” It’s owned by Northeast Utilities, which cares not one whit for the public or for service, only for its corporate bottom line.
The plan is to bring a new transmission line from Canada through to southern New Hampshire, buying the power from Hydro-Quebec. To do that, means cutting through a part of White Mountain National Forest as well as through other undeveloped areas. It would also pass through several residential areas, bringing with it 100-foot (or more) tall towers, about 6 per mile, and a wide swath of cleared land.
A number of public hearings were held this month, and a public comment period ends next month. The problem is, the plans as laid ut are prelimnary - “fluid” – according to a company spokesman. The route can change. The height of the towers may vary. They haven’t really considered burying the cables, which would cause far less disruption.
The Manchester Union Leader carried a pretty good outline of just where te project stands. Stay tuned.
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