Gov. Lynch: Northern Pass needs to listen better

In his final State of the State speech, Gov. John Lynch addressed the following environmental issues, including his stand on the Northern Pass proposal:
"Over the past eight years, we’ve worked together to preserve thousands of acres of open space; to reduce mercury pollution; to protect our clean waters.

We’re building a new energy future, with an energy efficiency fund to help businesses and residents cut their energy costs, and new standards that are spurring renewable energy projects.

Now, we have new wind plants under construction, as well as a new biomass plant that will help create 400 construction jobs in Berlin and contribute enough home-grown energy to power about 70,000 homes.

These were bipartisan efforts, because New Hampshire citizens have long recognized that we have a responsibility to cherish and preserve our natural resources.

I strongly believe that the New Hampshire environment that we give to our children and grandchildren should be just as good, if not better, than the one given to us. That is why I will stand firm against bills that undermine our environment.

One of the biggest issues facing our state and our environment is the proposal for the Northern Pass. I support bringing more renewable power to our state. It is in our long-term interests to diversify our power sources, and we should not dismiss out of hand the idea of hydropower from Canada.

But the proponents of Northern Pass need to listen better. This project cannot happen without local support. And it should not happen with eminent domain."

Senate Passes Eminent Domain Bill (HB648)

The New Hampshire Senate today voted 23-1 to pass HB648, clarifying that private powerline companies may not apply to the Public Utilities Commission to be able to use eminent domain in siting transmission lines such as the proposed Northern Pass project.
"This is a huge victory for New Hampshire homeowners and landowners," said Jane Difley, president/forester of the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. "It's also critically important for the ongoing protection of existing conservation lands like the 5,800 acres surrounding the Balsams in Dixville Notch. On behalf of our members and the majority of New Hampshire landowners who joined us in the support of this bill, I commend the Senate for their willingness to understand the issues and come to a near-unanimous, bi-partisan consensus. Today they voted to uphold the rights of landowners who pay property taxes, protect water quality, often allow recreational use of their lands and provide jobs through sustainable forest management.
"HB648 still needs to be agreed upon by a Committee of Conference between the House and the Senate, but we are extremely pleased that the Senate has joined the House in speaking loudly and clearly on the sujects of which kinds of projects have access--and which do not have access-- to eminent domain under Article 12a of the New Hampshire constitution."