Regulators Vote To Deny Northern Pass Application

CONCORD, NH — The Site Evaluation Committee reviewing Northern Pass, the multi-billion energy project which hopes to move renewable energy from Canada into New England, dealt a blow to the project on Feb. 1, 2018, after it voted 7-0 to reject its application, according to InDepthNH.org. The committee stated that Eversource – the company sponsoring the $3 billion project – “failed to meet its burden of proof that the project would not negatively impact the orderly development of the region, one of four criteria that must be met for approval.” The company has a month to ask for a rehearing.

Martin Murray, a spokesman for Eversource, called the vote shocking and outrageous. He added that the rejection failed to comply with state law and did not reflect the substantial evidence on record.

“As a result, the most viable near-term solution to the region's energy challenges, as well as $3 billion of NH job, tax, and other benefits, are now in jeopardy,” he said. “Clearly, the SEC process is broken and this decision sends a chilling message to any energy project contemplating development in the Granite State.”

Murray said the company would be seeking reconsideration of the decision as well as reviewing all options for moving the project forward.

Read the full report on InDepthNH.org.