The New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee has unanimously voted to deny an application to develop a major new electric transmission line across that state, according to an article in the Union Leader. According to that article, the Committee felt the Northern Pass Transmission developer had not satisfied its burden under state law to show that the line's development would not
“unduly interfere with the orderly development of the region.”
Northern Pass Transmission, LLC has proposed a 192-mile transmission line project capable of bringing 1,090 megawatts of power into New England. The project includes a new
direct
current (DC) transmission line from the Canadian border to a new converter terminal to be built in Franklin, New Hampshire, as well as a new AC transmission line connecting to the existing grid at a substation in Deerfield.
To develop the project, the developer needs approval from the New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee in the form of a Certificate of Site and Facility. Northern Pass applied to the SEC for a certificate in 2015; the case before the Committee has been ongoing since then, with extensive testimony and hearings held last month.
Successful project development involves not just securing all required permits, but also finding or creating suitable commercial arrangements. While the project's siting application was pending, the project won some commercial success last week, when a group of Massachusetts utilities seeking to jointly procure clean electricity selected a Northern Pass-affiliated proposal to supply about 9,450,000
megawatt-hours per year from Canada. After reviewing over 40 bids, the bid committee selected the "Northern Pass Transmission, Hydro" option for negotiation of a final long-term power sales agreement under the state's Section 83D clean energy contracting program.
Today's decision by the New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee relates directly to siting, not to commercial matters. The developer may be able to challenge the Committee's permitting decision. In the meantime, could the SEC decision affect the Northern Pass project's commercial fate? According to the Massachusetts 83D website, "If the bid selected to advance to contract negotiation at this stage
does not successfully negotiate contracts, it may result in other bid(s)
being selected to advance to contract negotiations." If the lack of SEC approval (for now) means Northern Pass does not successfully negotiate contracts with the Massachusetts utilities, it could open the door for other 83D bidders to move forward.
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Showing posts with label Northern Pass. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Northern Pass. Show all posts
Northern Pass Transmission public utility status
Thursday, October 27, 2016
New Hampshire utility regulators have issued an order conditionally authorizing Northern Pass Transmission LLC to operate as a public utility, with respect to its proposed 192-mile, high-voltage electric
transmission line from Canada into New Hampshire. The New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission's Order No. 25,953 approves a settlement agreement between the transmission line developer and Commission staff. Among its conditions are requirements that NPT obtain all necessary permits, contribute $20 million over 10 years to support energy efficiency and
clean energy initiatives, and hold New Hampshire
electric
ratepayers
harmless from costs associated with the possible
regional allocation
of
costs for
a
portion of
the
Northern Pass
transmission
line.
Proposed by two companies affiliated under the Eversource family -- Northern Pass Transmission LLC and Public Service Company of New Hampshire d/b/a Eversource Energy -- the Northern Pass line would include new direct current transmission lines and an AC-DC converter station. A variety of federal and state approvals are required for the line's development, including certification of site and facility by the state Site Evaluation Commission, plus several approvals from the Public Utilities Commission.
NPT secured one of those approvals this month, in the form of Public Utilities Commission Order No. 25,953, which conditionally authorizes NPT to operate as a public utilities in municipalities along its route. In the Order, the Commission found "that NPT has the necessary technical, managerial, and financial expertise to operate as a public utility."
The Commission next found that the terms and conditions of a settlement agreement between Commission staff and NPT "ensure that granting NPT authority to commence business as a public utility is for the public good."
Meanwhile, NPT continues to pursue other approvals, such as PUC approval for crossings of public waters, and the SEC certificate of site and facility itself.
Proposed by two companies affiliated under the Eversource family -- Northern Pass Transmission LLC and Public Service Company of New Hampshire d/b/a Eversource Energy -- the Northern Pass line would include new direct current transmission lines and an AC-DC converter station. A variety of federal and state approvals are required for the line's development, including certification of site and facility by the state Site Evaluation Commission, plus several approvals from the Public Utilities Commission.
NPT secured one of those approvals this month, in the form of Public Utilities Commission Order No. 25,953, which conditionally authorizes NPT to operate as a public utilities in municipalities along its route. In the Order, the Commission found "that NPT has the necessary technical, managerial, and financial expertise to operate as a public utility."
The Commission next found that the terms and conditions of a settlement agreement between Commission staff and NPT "ensure that granting NPT authority to commence business as a public utility is for the public good."
- First, the Commission noted public benefit, in the form of transparency, from the fact that the settlement recites a list of applicable statutes and rules.
- Second, the settlement called for a $20 million public interest payment, to be paid in installments of $2 million per year over the first 10 years of the operation of the Northern Pass Project; the Commission noted that this payment "will benefit customers by allowing the Commission to direct the use of this payment to energy efficiency programs and clean energy projects under its supervision."
- Third, the Commission noted that its grant of public utility status is conditioned on NPT procuring all necessary approvals for the Northern Pass Project, including obtaining a certificate of site and facility from the SEC.
- Finally, the Commission noted a provision in the settlement that "NPT must hold New Hampshire electric ratepayers harmless from costs associated with the possible regional allocation of costs for a portion of the Northern Pass transmission line." The Commission expressed a belief "that the rate treatment provision applicable to the DC portion of the line could constitute a significant benefit to ratepayers in the event the ISO-NE designates this portion as eligible for regional cost recovery.
Meanwhile, NPT continues to pursue other approvals, such as PUC approval for crossings of public waters, and the SEC certificate of site and facility itself.
Northern Pass files with NH SEC
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
The developer of the Northern Pass Transmission Project, a proposed high-voltage transmission line from Canada into New Hampshire, filed a formal application to New Hampshire regulators this week.
First proposed in 2009, the Northern Pass project would include about 190 miles of new direct current transmission lines and an AC-DC converter station. Collectively, the project would be capable of importing over 1,000 megawatts of power from Canada into the New England electric grid. Its formal sponsors are two companies affiliated under the Eversource family: Northern Pass Transmission LLC and Public Service Company of New Hampshire d/b/a Eversource Energy.
Early versions of proposal drew criticism and controversy over issues including siting, visual impacts, the potential use of eminent domain, and impacts to domestic renewable energy production. After a series of public information meetings and other dialogue, Eversource released a revised route and plan in August 2015.
On October 19, Eversource announced that it had filed a formal application to the New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee. The Northern Pass Transmission application to the SEC is available on the project's website. It describes a project cost estimate of $1.6 billion, and a capacity of 1,090 megawatts.
The SEC was established by the state legislature for the review, approval, monitoring and enforcement of compliance in the planning, siting, construction and operation of energy facilities. It includes members from the Public Utilities Commission, cabinet level commissioners, and two members of the public. The SEC has jurisdiction to review applications for siting and construction of large-scale energy facilities and to issue a Certificate of Site and Facility enabling a project's development. The process before the SEC is likely to play out through 2016.
First proposed in 2009, the Northern Pass project would include about 190 miles of new direct current transmission lines and an AC-DC converter station. Collectively, the project would be capable of importing over 1,000 megawatts of power from Canada into the New England electric grid. Its formal sponsors are two companies affiliated under the Eversource family: Northern Pass Transmission LLC and Public Service Company of New Hampshire d/b/a Eversource Energy.
Early versions of proposal drew criticism and controversy over issues including siting, visual impacts, the potential use of eminent domain, and impacts to domestic renewable energy production. After a series of public information meetings and other dialogue, Eversource released a revised route and plan in August 2015.
On October 19, Eversource announced that it had filed a formal application to the New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee. The Northern Pass Transmission application to the SEC is available on the project's website. It describes a project cost estimate of $1.6 billion, and a capacity of 1,090 megawatts.
The SEC was established by the state legislature for the review, approval, monitoring and enforcement of compliance in the planning, siting, construction and operation of energy facilities. It includes members from the Public Utilities Commission, cabinet level commissioners, and two members of the public. The SEC has jurisdiction to review applications for siting and construction of large-scale energy facilities and to issue a Certificate of Site and Facility enabling a project's development. The process before the SEC is likely to play out through 2016.
Northern Pass proposes new transmission plan
Monday, August 24, 2015
The developer of a proposed $1.4 billion electric transmission line connecting Quebec to New Hampshire has released a revised route for the project, following public opposition to earlier plans. The new vision for the Northern Pass project would bury more of the line underground and reduce the project's overall capacity to haul power. Will this version of the Northern Pass gain more traction?
First proposed in 2009, the Northern Pass would be a 192-mile high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line. It would bring up to 1,000 megawatts of power from Canadian power plants into New England, running from the Canadian border to a proposed converter terminal in Franklin, New Hampshire. From there, a new alternating current (AC) transmission line would deliver the energy to New England’s electric grid at an existing substation in Deerfield, New Hampshire.
Since it was first proposed, the Northern Pass route has drawn criticism; the project was delayed, and despite revisions to the route public opposition remained. Throughout the process, many comments have focused on local siting impacts, like the effect of above-ground transmission lines and poles through Franconia Notch State Park, the White Mountain National Forest, and the Appalachian Trail. Eversource proposed running 8 miles of cable underground to reduce these impacts, but argued that undergrounding more would make the project too expensive.
But the forces motivating the Northern Pass project and other proposed HVDC lines from Canada remain strong: demand in New England and New York for electricity, and in particular for hydropower and other renewable electricity imported from Canada.
On August 18, project lead Eversource Energy announced changes to the route and scope of the project. While the previous vision included 8 miles of underground cable to avoid visual impacts, the so-called "Forward New Hampshire Plan" now includes 60 miles of underground cable. Eversource described its revised route as striking "a balance between New Hampshire and our region’s need for a reliable new energy source and avoiding potential impacts to the state’s scenic landscapes." At the same time, the revised proposal reduces the line's capacity from 1,200 megawatts to 1,000 megawatts, ostensibly to hold total costs at the previously estimated $1.4 billion. The plan now includes $200 million to establish the "Forward NH Fund", a pool of money designed to support clean energy innovations, economic development, community investment, and tourism.
The Northern Pass project now faces public hearings. Eversource is expected to file an application for site review with the New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee in mid-October.
First proposed in 2009, the Northern Pass would be a 192-mile high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line. It would bring up to 1,000 megawatts of power from Canadian power plants into New England, running from the Canadian border to a proposed converter terminal in Franklin, New Hampshire. From there, a new alternating current (AC) transmission line would deliver the energy to New England’s electric grid at an existing substation in Deerfield, New Hampshire.
Since it was first proposed, the Northern Pass route has drawn criticism; the project was delayed, and despite revisions to the route public opposition remained. Throughout the process, many comments have focused on local siting impacts, like the effect of above-ground transmission lines and poles through Franconia Notch State Park, the White Mountain National Forest, and the Appalachian Trail. Eversource proposed running 8 miles of cable underground to reduce these impacts, but argued that undergrounding more would make the project too expensive.
But the forces motivating the Northern Pass project and other proposed HVDC lines from Canada remain strong: demand in New England and New York for electricity, and in particular for hydropower and other renewable electricity imported from Canada.
On August 18, project lead Eversource Energy announced changes to the route and scope of the project. While the previous vision included 8 miles of underground cable to avoid visual impacts, the so-called "Forward New Hampshire Plan" now includes 60 miles of underground cable. Eversource described its revised route as striking "a balance between New Hampshire and our region’s need for a reliable new energy source and avoiding potential impacts to the state’s scenic landscapes." At the same time, the revised proposal reduces the line's capacity from 1,200 megawatts to 1,000 megawatts, ostensibly to hold total costs at the previously estimated $1.4 billion. The plan now includes $200 million to establish the "Forward NH Fund", a pool of money designed to support clean energy innovations, economic development, community investment, and tourism.
The Northern Pass project now faces public hearings. Eversource is expected to file an application for site review with the New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee in mid-October.
New England Clean Power Link proposed
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
A developer of electric transmission lines has proposed a new line that would connect New England to Quebec. The so-called New England Clean Power Link would run about 150 miles from the U.S.-Canadian border to Ludlow, Vermont. While the line shares some features with other proposed ties to the Canadian power grid -- including its development team -- the New England Clean Power Link differs from prior proposals in several regards.
Demand for electricity in the northeastern United States, and in particular for renewable power, has led to interest in developing several transmission lines to Canada. Provincial crown corporation Hydro-Quebec has many large hydroelectric dams, and continues to develop Quebec's rivers for power production. Meanwhile, Newfoundland utility Nalcor is developing gigawatt-scale hydropower on the Churchill River in Labrador, with aims to export the power to eastern Canada and the U.S.
This relative surplus of Canadian hydropower has led developers to propose transmission lines connecting Quebec resources to New England consumers. These lines include the Champlain-Hudson Power Express from Canada to New York City, and the Northern Pass from Canada into New Hampshire.
The $1.2 billion Clean Power Link would have a capacity of 1,000 megawatts, roughly equal to the size of a nuclear power plant. Like previous proposals, the newly-proposed line is motivated by the perceived opportunity to sell Canadian power in New England. The Clean Power Link also shares features in common with other proposals, in that it would be a high-voltage direct current or HVDC line. Notably, it would also be developed and financed by TDI New England, a Blackstone Group subsidiary led by the team behind the Champlain-Hudson Power Express.
Like that line, it would run about 100 miles under Vermont's Lake Champlain. South of the lake, the Clean Power Link proposal features lines buried underground. This contrasts with the Northern Pass, whose traditional wires-on-towers architecture has drawn significant opposition in New Hampshire.
The Clean Power Link faces a regulatory process including environmental and energy permitting, and is also dependent on the market forces that motivated its proposal. It is unclear whether any of the proposed transmission lines to Canada will actually be built, let alone which one. For now, TDI aims to build the line and place it in service by 2019.
Demand for electricity in the northeastern United States, and in particular for renewable power, has led to interest in developing several transmission lines to Canada. Provincial crown corporation Hydro-Quebec has many large hydroelectric dams, and continues to develop Quebec's rivers for power production. Meanwhile, Newfoundland utility Nalcor is developing gigawatt-scale hydropower on the Churchill River in Labrador, with aims to export the power to eastern Canada and the U.S.
This relative surplus of Canadian hydropower has led developers to propose transmission lines connecting Quebec resources to New England consumers. These lines include the Champlain-Hudson Power Express from Canada to New York City, and the Northern Pass from Canada into New Hampshire.
The $1.2 billion Clean Power Link would have a capacity of 1,000 megawatts, roughly equal to the size of a nuclear power plant. Like previous proposals, the newly-proposed line is motivated by the perceived opportunity to sell Canadian power in New England. The Clean Power Link also shares features in common with other proposals, in that it would be a high-voltage direct current or HVDC line. Notably, it would also be developed and financed by TDI New England, a Blackstone Group subsidiary led by the team behind the Champlain-Hudson Power Express.
Like that line, it would run about 100 miles under Vermont's Lake Champlain. South of the lake, the Clean Power Link proposal features lines buried underground. This contrasts with the Northern Pass, whose traditional wires-on-towers architecture has drawn significant opposition in New Hampshire.
The Clean Power Link faces a regulatory process including environmental and energy permitting, and is also dependent on the market forces that motivated its proposal. It is unclear whether any of the proposed transmission lines to Canada will actually be built, let alone which one. For now, TDI aims to build the line and place it in service by 2019.
Northern Pass transmission line faces public hearings
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
A proposed high-voltage transmission line across the U.S.-Canada border in northern New Hampshire faces a series of public hearings this month. The Northern Pass transmission line would provide an additional tie between Hydro-Quebec's electric grid and the New England grid, and would expand U.S. imports of electricity from Canada.
The project is proposed by Northern Pass Transmission LLC, an entity jointly owned by NU Transmission Ventures, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Northeast Utilities, a publicly held public utility holding company, and NSTAR Transmission Ventures, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of NSTAR, a publicly held public utility holding company.
The project includes a high-voltage direct current or HVDC transmission line capable of transmitting up to 1,200 megawatts of power from Canada to the U.S. or from the U.S. to Canada. 45 miles of line would connect the northern HVDC converter terminal in Québec to the U.S.-Canada border into New Hampshire. The line would extend south from the international border approximately 140 miles to an HVDC converter terminal that would be constructed in the city of Franklin, NH.
Federal law governs the import and export of electricity. To construct, operate, maintain, or connect an electric transmission facility crossing the borders of the United States, Northern Pass must first obtain a Presidential permit issued by the U.S. Department of Energy. Under the National Environmental Policy Act, this approval requires the Department of Energy to consider the environmental impacts of granting the permit.
Since its unveiling in 2011, the Northern Pass project has provoked controversy. The public has voiced concerns over the environmental and economic impacts of large-scale Canadian hydropower, the risk of private property being seized by the developer through eminent domain, and a route through New Hampshire's White Mountain National Forest and nearby mountains and woodlands. In response, Northern Pass retooled its route, triggering a need to revise the project's environmental impact statement. As part of that process, the Department of Energy has scheduled four additional scoping meetings in New Hampshire:
The project is proposed by Northern Pass Transmission LLC, an entity jointly owned by NU Transmission Ventures, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Northeast Utilities, a publicly held public utility holding company, and NSTAR Transmission Ventures, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of NSTAR, a publicly held public utility holding company.
The project includes a high-voltage direct current or HVDC transmission line capable of transmitting up to 1,200 megawatts of power from Canada to the U.S. or from the U.S. to Canada. 45 miles of line would connect the northern HVDC converter terminal in Québec to the U.S.-Canada border into New Hampshire. The line would extend south from the international border approximately 140 miles to an HVDC converter terminal that would be constructed in the city of Franklin, NH.
Federal law governs the import and export of electricity. To construct, operate, maintain, or connect an electric transmission facility crossing the borders of the United States, Northern Pass must first obtain a Presidential permit issued by the U.S. Department of Energy. Under the National Environmental Policy Act, this approval requires the Department of Energy to consider the environmental impacts of granting the permit.
Since its unveiling in 2011, the Northern Pass project has provoked controversy. The public has voiced concerns over the environmental and economic impacts of large-scale Canadian hydropower, the risk of private property being seized by the developer through eminent domain, and a route through New Hampshire's White Mountain National Forest and nearby mountains and woodlands. In response, Northern Pass retooled its route, triggering a need to revise the project's environmental impact statement. As part of that process, the Department of Energy has scheduled four additional scoping meetings in New Hampshire:
- Concord, NH, Grappone Conference Center, 70 Constitution Avenue, Monday, September 23, 2013, 6-9 p.m.;
- Plymouth, NH, Plymouth State University, Silver Center for the Arts, Hanaway Theater, 17 High Street, Tuesday, September 24, 2013, 5-8 p.m.;
- Whitefield, NH, Mountain View Grand Resort; Spa, Presidential Room, 101 Mountain View Road, Wednesday, September 25, 2013, 5-8 p.m.; and
- West Stewartstown, NH, The Outback Pub at The Spa Restaurant, 869 Washington Street, Thursday, September 26, 2013, 5-8 p.m.
August 4, 2011 - Northern Pass transmission project delayed
Thursday, August 4, 2011
For the past year, several large New England utilities have been collaborating on a major new transmission project to connect Canadian generators with New England markets. Northeast Utilities and NSTARhave proposed a high-voltage DC transmission line they call the "Northern Pass". If built as proposed, this $1.1 billion transmission line will be capable of sending about 1200 MW of power from Hydro-Quebec's generation network into New England. Canada, and Quebec in particular, possess many gigawatts of generation capacity, much of which comes from hydroelectricity.
In the meantime, some project opponents have expressed concerns about local siting issues related to the route the line will take through the White Mountain National Forest, other wild lands, and a number of communities. Between Groveton, NH, and the Canadian border, no transmission rights of way exist today, meaning about 40 miles of new transmission corridor are needed. Where this line should run has been a contentious issue. As a result, the developers have expressed a willingness to consider alternative routes.
At the same time, other opponents have observed that if gigawatts of Canadian renewable power are imported into New England to satisfy domestic renewable power mandates, the region will not see the more localized environmental and economic development benefits from the development of renewable power projects in New England. Many consider these local benefits key to the value of state renewable portfolio standards.
Now, the Northern Pass developers have announced that a rollback of the project's anticipated startup date to allow for a new route north of Groveton. On the project's journal website, Northern Pass now states that its "expected in-service date has been modified to 2016, with construction expected in the 2014 – 2016 time frame, compared to the initial range of 2013 – 2015".
In the meantime, some project opponents have expressed concerns about local siting issues related to the route the line will take through the White Mountain National Forest, other wild lands, and a number of communities. Between Groveton, NH, and the Canadian border, no transmission rights of way exist today, meaning about 40 miles of new transmission corridor are needed. Where this line should run has been a contentious issue. As a result, the developers have expressed a willingness to consider alternative routes.
At the same time, other opponents have observed that if gigawatts of Canadian renewable power are imported into New England to satisfy domestic renewable power mandates, the region will not see the more localized environmental and economic development benefits from the development of renewable power projects in New England. Many consider these local benefits key to the value of state renewable portfolio standards.
Now, the Northern Pass developers have announced that a rollback of the project's anticipated startup date to allow for a new route north of Groveton. On the project's journal website, Northern Pass now states that its "expected in-service date has been modified to 2016, with construction expected in the 2014 – 2016 time frame, compared to the initial range of 2013 – 2015".
April 14, 2011 - Canadian hydro imports as renewable
Thursday, April 14, 2011
What energy sources are renewable? What does renewable mean? Any state developing a renewable energy standard would be wise to consider these questions. There is broad consensus on a core group of technologies, while the degree to which some other energy sources may be renewable remains a subject of debate. When it comes to renewable portfolio standards - laws mandating that a certain portion of electricity sold be sourced from qualified renewable resources - it can take an act of the legislature to deem a particular resource type "renewable".
The Nova Scotia Legislature is currently considering this very question. The provincial minister of energy and natural resources proposed a bill to declare hydroelectricity "renewable electricity" by legislative mandate. That bill, Bill No. 15 classifies hydroelectricity as renewable electricity, for the purpose of meeting Nova Scotia's 40% renewable electricity by 2020 goal. Bill No. 15 would apply to hydroelectricity generated in Nova Scotia - there are about 40 small hydro plants in Nova Scotia, collectively supplying about 11% of provincial capacity - as well as to hydroelectricity produced elsewhere and imported into the province.
Many states and provinces are wrestling with the question of whether hydroelectricity imported from Canadian large-scale hydro projects should count towards their own renewable portfolio standards. For many states in the northeastern US, importing hydroelectricity from Hydro-Quebec is one option; New Hampshire's review of the proposed Northern Pass transmission line raises these issues. In Nova Scotia's case, the province is a partner in the Muskrat Falls portion of the Lower Churchill hydro resource in Labrador. A 180-kilometer underwater cable called the Maritime Link will connect Labrador and Newfoundland with Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia will put up 20% of the project capital, in exchange for which it will receive 170 megawatts of hydroelectricity for 35 years, with an option for an additional 330 megawatts. The province expects this one project to account for a quarter of the province's 40% renewable mandate.
In this context, what does Bill No. 15 do? By proposing to clarify that imported hydroelectricity counts toward the province's renewable energy standard, does the bill imply that it is not currently clear that hydro is renewable? Or is Bill No. 15 simply part of the overall package of Nova Scotia's 40% renewable electricity mandate, helping clarify that Nova Scotia can rely on cost-effective regional resources in its pursuit of environmental goals?
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| Wood pellets: biomass for homes, on display at a gas station. |
The Nova Scotia Legislature is currently considering this very question. The provincial minister of energy and natural resources proposed a bill to declare hydroelectricity "renewable electricity" by legislative mandate. That bill, Bill No. 15 classifies hydroelectricity as renewable electricity, for the purpose of meeting Nova Scotia's 40% renewable electricity by 2020 goal. Bill No. 15 would apply to hydroelectricity generated in Nova Scotia - there are about 40 small hydro plants in Nova Scotia, collectively supplying about 11% of provincial capacity - as well as to hydroelectricity produced elsewhere and imported into the province.
Many states and provinces are wrestling with the question of whether hydroelectricity imported from Canadian large-scale hydro projects should count towards their own renewable portfolio standards. For many states in the northeastern US, importing hydroelectricity from Hydro-Quebec is one option; New Hampshire's review of the proposed Northern Pass transmission line raises these issues. In Nova Scotia's case, the province is a partner in the Muskrat Falls portion of the Lower Churchill hydro resource in Labrador. A 180-kilometer underwater cable called the Maritime Link will connect Labrador and Newfoundland with Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia will put up 20% of the project capital, in exchange for which it will receive 170 megawatts of hydroelectricity for 35 years, with an option for an additional 330 megawatts. The province expects this one project to account for a quarter of the province's 40% renewable mandate.
In this context, what does Bill No. 15 do? By proposing to clarify that imported hydroelectricity counts toward the province's renewable energy standard, does the bill imply that it is not currently clear that hydro is renewable? Or is Bill No. 15 simply part of the overall package of Nova Scotia's 40% renewable electricity mandate, helping clarify that Nova Scotia can rely on cost-effective regional resources in its pursuit of environmental goals?
April 11, 2011 - Northern Pass transmission
Monday, April 11, 2011
The Northern Pass project - a proposed high-voltage DC transmission line capable of sending about 1200 MW of power from Hydro-Quebec into New England - continues to be controversial. The $1.1 billion line from the Canadian border has been proposed by Public Service of New Hampshire's parent Northeast Utilities, along with utility NSTAR and Hydro-Quebec. These utilities promote the line as empowering New England markets to buy renewable power from Canada - primarily from Hydro-Quebec's nearly 40 gigawatts of hydro capacity. Opponents raise concerns both about local siting issues related to the line - which runs through the White Mountain National Forest and a number of communities - as well as about the impact of importing gigawatts of Canadian renewable power on the development of renewable power projects in New England.
Now, two of New Hampshire's Congressional delegation, Senator Kelly Ayotte and Representative Charles Bass, have sent a letter to Secretary of Energy Chu expressing opposition to the project in its current form based on the public hearings that have been held. They call on the Department of Energy to study alternatives to building towers along the Northern Pass's route through New Hampshire - alternatives like burying the lines or using existing rights-of-way. The Congressional delegation points to a need to protect New Hampshire's north country lands as "prime economic assets and pristine landscapes."
If the Northern Pass project is to be developed, proponents may have to navigate the political waters as well as the regulatory process.
Now, two of New Hampshire's Congressional delegation, Senator Kelly Ayotte and Representative Charles Bass, have sent a letter to Secretary of Energy Chu expressing opposition to the project in its current form based on the public hearings that have been held. They call on the Department of Energy to study alternatives to building towers along the Northern Pass's route through New Hampshire - alternatives like burying the lines or using existing rights-of-way. The Congressional delegation points to a need to protect New Hampshire's north country lands as "prime economic assets and pristine landscapes."
If the Northern Pass project is to be developed, proponents may have to navigate the political waters as well as the regulatory process.
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