Officials: Northern Pass Comment Period Should be Extended

U.S. Sens. Kelly Ayotte, R-NH, and Jeanne Shaheen, D-NH, along with U.S. Reps. Annie Kuster, NH-2, and Frank Guinta, NH-1, are calling on the Department of Energy (DOE) to provide an extended public comment period following the agency’s release of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Northern Pass Transmission Project, according to a press statement.

The Draft EIS is expected to be released this spring, and will likely contain multiple volumes, detailed maps and appendices that will include approximately 2,000 pages of materials. Therefore, it is imperative that DOE allow ample time for New Hampshire residents to thoroughly analyze the Draft EIS and share their views and concerns.

“We respectfully request that all public hearings be scheduled at least 90 days after the release date of the draft EIS and that public comments be accepted for at least 90 days after the final public hearing date. This will ensure that New Hampshire stakeholders will have the necessary time to analyze, process, and comment on the draft EIS,” the delegation members wrote.

NH DELEGATION LETTER TO DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY:

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:

The draft Environmental Impact Study (EIS) for Northern Pass Transmission’s application to construct and operate an electric transmission line across the U.S.-Canada border into Northern New Hampshire is expected to be released in the spring of 2015. The draft EIS will likely contain multiple volumes, detailed maps and appendices that will include approximately 2,000 pages of material. We understand that the current process allows for at least a 60-day comment period. We respectfully request that all public hearings be scheduled at least 90 days after the release date of the draft EIS and that public comments be accepted for at least 90 days after the final public hearing date. This will ensure that New Hampshire stakeholders will have the necessary time to analyze, process and comment on the draft EIS.

Thank you for your attention to our request, which is part of our ongoing efforts to ensure Granite Staters have a meaningful opportunity to participate in the review process by asking questions and making their voices heard. We look forward to your timely response.

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