Our state roads could become low-cost magnate for high-voltage lines

To The Daily Sun,

If Eversource gets approval to route the Northern Pass down state roads in Franconia, Easton, and through to Plymouth, it will not only affect abutting properties in those towns, but it could adversely impact properties on state roads EVERYWHERE in New Hampshire.

This is the first time ever, that a utility company is saying it can place high voltage transmission lines within ANY state road right-of-way. For folks in Easton, that means the Northern Pass could be buried about 22 feet into their front yards. Moreover, Eversource and the DOT say they don't need landowner permission, and they don't have to pay landowners a penny in compensation. They believe they can do so because state laws have long allowed electric distribution lines that bring electric to our homes to be sited adjacent to roadways. Saying you don't see the difference between a 320,000 volt, billion-watt transmission line carrying power cross-country and a distribution line keeping the lights on next door is like not seeing the difference between an oil pipeline and a gas station.

If Eversource gets approval of this route, and you live on a state road anywhere in N.H, know that the next high-voltage transmission project could run across your yard — and not only can this be done without your consent and without compensation, but the utility can also remove trees in your yard to keep roots away from the buried lines. And because these routes would be made available to the utilities for "free", our state roads could become a low cost magnet for these projects. Do not allow this precedent to be set.

Let your opposition be known by sending a public comment to the NH Site Evaluation Committee (SEC) via their website at http://www.nhsec.nh.gov/ or by email to Pamela.monroe@sec.nh.gov. You can also sign an online petition by going to change.org and typing "Deny Northern Pass" in the search bar. In either case, please leave a comment saying you oppose this use of our local roads for transmission line projects.

Barbara & Eric Meyer

Laconia