Bury the SEC in Letters Opposed
Are you opposed to the Northern Pass (NoPass)? Have you put your opposition in writing? If not, you’re not alone. Of the thousands of residents who oppose this unnecessary and environmentally destructive project, relatively few have written to New Hampshire's policymakers. But that’s OK – the time is now, and it’s never been more important.
The state’s Site Evaluation Committee (SEC) is in the midst of considering the Northern Pass application to build a high voltage transmission line from Quebec through the North Country, so power can flow to points south like Boston and Hartford.
The SEC decides if NoPass gets a permit to build in New Hampshire. Members of the SEC have been questioning Northern Pass very closely, and it appears to some observers like the tide may be ever so slightly turning from an expected “pass” for NoPass to some well considered skepticism and even opposition.
Part of the what the SEC must determine is if the NoPass project is in the “public interest.” So the committee is asking what is the cost - it's imperative that we clearly outline the cost to New Hampshire's residents. The impact would not only disrupt the state's ecologic and scenic landscapes, but damage small businesses and property values that rely on the preservation of our region's beauty. New Hampshire’s very sense of place, who we are, and what we value is on the line. This is why it so important to write the SEC and express your opposition to the NoPass project.
Letters against vs. for NoPass are running about 10:1. This is a competition and SEC keeps score. But only about 1500 letters have been received. This is less than the population of Franconia and Sugar Hill! We have to bury the SEC in a stack of letters showing the deep opposition to this project.
You don’t need to write a treatise. Just a few lines expressing why you oppose it – what you love about New Hampshire, your town, and/or your land that will be forever lost if this project goes through. Comments focused on aesthetics, historic and cultural landscapes, economic impacts, private property rights, and construction issues are key.
You might also mention Massachusetts. Right now, Massachusetts is analyzing proposals for new energy sources and NoPass has staked a lot on being chosen. We’re sure that ACT members, and the many other second home owners and visitors who live in Mass, don’t believe their state should facilitate the enormous set of landscape scars NoPass would impose on New Hampshire. So, especially if you are a Massachusetts resident, weigh in with your state. Addresses are below.
One more thing! Please send a copy of your letter to the editor of your local paper, and to the NH governor. If you want some assistance of any kind, or ideas, please give us a call at the ACT office. And, can you recruit a neighbor to write as well? If all of us got just two more people to write, it would be a huge impact. Let’s do this by December 1!
Addresses:
New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee
Pamela G. Monroe, Administrator
21 South Fruit Street, Suite 10
Concord, NH 03301
Or send email comments to: [email protected]
The Honorable Chris Sununu
Office of the Governor
The State House
Concord, NH 03301
These are the two key individuals in Massachusetts on the energy supply contract:
The Honorable Maura Healy
Office of the Attorney General
State Of Massachusetts
One Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108-1518
Judith Judson, Commissioner
Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources
100 Cambridge Street
Boston, MA 02114
