No Northern Pass posted this today asking for assistance with planning Hands Across NH. This is a great way to bring visibility to Northern Pass and the detriment it’ll cause to New Hampshire.
Northern Pass is a project proposed by PSNH to bring hydroelectric from Quebec to Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Northern Pass, a corporate partnership among power companies Northeast Utilities, PSNH and Hydro-Quebec,* proposes to construct 1100 towers on 180 miles of high-voltage transmission line from Canada through New Hampshire. Source.
*Emphasis added.
The project will not benefit New Hampshire citizens as NH already produces more power than it consumes. This is a private, for profit project to benefit a small group of people, at the detriment of a large group of people and the landscape in New Hampshire. The corridor will have to be widened to accommodate the width and height of the new towers. The new towers will be taller than most trees thus creating a major eyesore. The opposition from many northern New Hampshire residents and businesses is due to their reliance on the landscape for the enjoyment and employment.
There is lots of local opposition to this project. A ride up I93, or I91 will show you how strong this opposition is. The roadways and cars are covered with signs saying “No Northern Pass”.
Northern Pass has approached members of the public in attempts to buy their homes. Lynn Placey was one such person who turned down the offer of $500,000 saying
Loyalty to my family’s heritage is far more important than financial gain, and I could not sleep at night if I succumbed to the temptation of easy money. I also feel it is important to consider the desires of my friends and neighbors who do not want Northern Pass.
Of course there is support. Many unions support the venture under the false impression Northern Pass will bring jobs to New Hampshire. True, jobs will come. Short term, inconsistent jobs that lack any benefits and stability. It is unfortunate our union siblings cannot see the shortsightedness of supporting such an endeavor. The City of Franklin also supports this venture for the same reason as some unions and because Franklin is to receive millions of dollars from the power companies. A community in dire need of funds, it is understandable that it would jump on any life raft in attempts to keep from drowning. However this life raft is losing air. You can form your own opinion on the jobs issue. One link here with many more here.**
There are lots of websites dedicated to opposing this project. I will leave you to peruse on your own.
Orange Store to buy swag
Live Free or Fry
Trees Not Towers
Bury the Northern Pass
No Northern Pass
The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests
Appalacian Mountain Club
Sierra Club
Conservation Law Fund
Of course there is a Facebook group and @NoNorthernPass1 twitter.
**As someone who has been un- and underemployed for over 6 years, one who is drowning in student debt, I understand how contentious the jobs issue is. More than anything in this world, I want a full time job paying a living salary. But I do not want one that will cause my neighbors to lose their homes, one that will become a scourge on the NH landscape. I want a permanent job that will last me until I retire and leave me well cared for in my old age. Northern Pass is not the answer to my job prayers.
