Reps Clark, Tsongas Join Elizabeth Warren to Oppose Eversource Project

SUDBURY, MA—Piling on to the growing opposition of Eversource's plan to cut through forest conservation land to make way for more than four miles of transmission wires from Sudbury to Hudson, XX

The proposed Eversource Sudbury to Hudson Transmission Reliability Project would construct a new line between the Eversource substation in Sudbury,and the Hudson Light and Power substation in Hudson, passing through portions of Sudbury, Marlborough, Stow and Hudson.

In a letter sent to Governor Charlie Baker, Representatives Niki Tsongas and Katherine Clark joined Senator Elizabeth Warren, stating, "We are writing to share the serious concerns raised by our constituents regarding the proposed Sudbury to Hudson Transmission Reliability Project. As a mandated project, we are supportive of strengthening the regional electric grid and do not dismiss the demand for more reliable service, but not at the expense of creating potentially lasting damage to the environment, significant economic burdens, and potential health concerns."

Clark writes that she has heard from residents of Sudbury and Hudson, as well as their selectmen, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Friends of the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge, and area conservation and historical commissions.

"All are voicing serious concerns about the project and the preferred Eversource route, which would run 4.3 miles of high voltage above-ground power lines alongside neighborhoods, conservation land, and along a National Wildlife Refuge, while spraying herbicides within close proximity of hundreds of homes. Our understanding is that the preferred Eversource route would require installation of overhead transmission lines and an 82-foot wide clear-cut of the vegetation and growth currently present in the area. The above environmental organizations have conveyed that this would be disruptive to the habitat and that it could potentially create conditions 'unsuitable for certain wildlife species, many of which are State-listed or special concern species.'"

Clark said in the letter that these organizations have expressed concerns that the lines could also interrupt periodic burning that is used as a habitat management tool.

"Additionally, potential health concerns for residents, specific to the contamination of the drinking water supply resulting from the required spraying of chemicals, have also been raised."

In August, the Sudbury Board of Selectmen issued a statement to the town, maintaining that the Eversource project would not only be of no benefit to Sudbury, but would take a financial toll on the town, "creating new economic burdens for residents, businesses and the town budget."

A group of residents concerned about the proposal created a website for those who support preventing the Eversource proposal here. Called Protect Sudbury Outreach, the organization recently created a video as a public service announcement to residents to explain their opposition to the project.