Governor Hassan Reiterates Need for Concerns of Local Communities to be Addressed on Northeast Energy Direct Pipeline Project

Governor Says Project Should Not Move Forward as Currently Proposed if Concerns Cannot be Addressed

CONCORD – December 07, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Continuing her efforts to ensure that the voices of affected communities are heard and that their questions and concerns are addressed, Governor Maggie Hassan today sent a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), reiterating the need for FERC and the company to address the concerns of local communities. If those concerns cannot be addressed, Governor Hassan wrote, then the project should not move forward as currently proposed.

“I share many of the concerns that communities and individuals have raised,” Governor Hassan wrote. “I ask again that FERC address these concerns and require that the company work to address the environmental, public health and safety issues raised by affected communities. It is my belief that if the company cannot do so, the project should not move forward as currently proposed.”

Governor Hassan has long urged FERC to address the concerns of the affected communities as the agency reviews the project, including a number of specific concerns outlined in a letter to the Chairman of FERC, as well as the need to fully investigate alternatives. The Governor has also worked to ensure an open and robust public process, calling earlier this year on the company to schedule additional open houses and on FERC to schedule additional public scoping meetings.

The full text of the Governor’s letter to FERC today is below:

December 4, 2015

Norman C. Bay, Chairman
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street NE
Washington, DC 20426

RE: Docket No. CP16-21, Northeast Energy Direct

Dear Chairman Bay:

Having recently met with representatives of a number of host communities for the proposed Northeast Energy Direct (NED) Project, I write to reiterate my requests that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) fully consider alternatives for the proposed NED and address the wide range of concerns expressed by those in the path of the project.

I share many of the concerns that communities and individuals have raised, including those reflected in the two attached letters. I ask again that FERC address these concerns and require that the company work to address the environmental, public health and safety issues raised by affected communities. It is my belief that if the company cannot do so, the project should not move forward as currently proposed.

We must strengthen our energy infrastructure to reduce costs for our families and businesses and create jobs, and I believe natural gas will be a part of a strategy to reach a more diverse, clean energy future. But the siting of needed energy transmission projects must always strike a balance between providing benefits, such as reduced energy costs and lower emissions, and potential negative impacts to host communities.

I again encourage FERC to carefully consider whether the potential negative impacts of the project would disproportionately outweigh the benefits, particularly for the New Hampshire residents and communities that would bear the burden of hosting the project.

Thank you for your consideration.

With every good wish,

Margaret Wood Hassan
Governor

Contact:
Communications Office
(603)271-2121