Northern Pass Project Takes another Significant Step Forward
 With Filing of U.S. Federal Permit Application

MANCHESTER, NH -- October 15, 2010 -- After more than two years of preparation, The Northern Pass transmission project filed its first major permit application -- requesting a Presidential Permit from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) -- on Thursday, October 14. Presidential Permits are required for certain facilities and projects (including electric transmission lines) that cross the U.S. border.

The Northern Pass's application discusses the project's main components, which include a 140-mile section of direct-current transmission line from the Canadian border to central New Hampshire; a $250 million "converter terminal" in Franklin, NH; and a 40-mile section of alternating-current transmission line from the converter terminal to Public Service of New Hampshire's (PSNH) Deerfield Substation in Deerfield, NH.

Through a partnership between Northern Pass Transmission LLC, a New Hampshire company established by PSNH's parent company, Northeast Utilities, and NSTAR, and HQ Hydro Renewable Energy (a subsidiary of Hydro-Québec), The Northern Pass will deliver 1,200 megawatts of renewable, competitively priced low-carbon power from Hydro-Québec's hydroelectric facilities located in Québec.

"One of the unique aspects of this project is that it involves two countries," said Gary Long, PSNH's president and COO. "As a result, it will require extensive reviews and assessments by federal agencies, in addition to state approvals. It's a complex project, but it's achievable and worth pursuing. The benefits to New Hampshire and New England will be significant."
For the portion of the line in Québec, Hydro-Québec will be responsible for the government permitting and will consult with impacted local communities with a view to optimizing the line route.

The Preliminary Preferred Route
In addition to project component descriptions, the Presidential Permit application identifies a "preliminary preferred route" for The Northern Pass transmission line in New Hampshire, and provides an initial assessment of the potential environmental and social impacts of the project.

"The preliminary route reflects our best thinking," said Anne Bartosewicz, project director for The Northern Pass. "We've spent the last several months evaluating potential routes in New Hampshire, with the focus on using existing transmission rights of way as much as possible, minimizing environmental and social impacts, and meeting the technical requirements of the project. Over the next year, we'll continue to work closely with State agencies, local communities, and many others to further refine the route."

Minimizing Impacts
In New Hampshire, other than the northernmost section of the preliminary preferred route-where no transmission rights of way currently exist -- The Northern Pass transmission lines would be located primarily on existing PSNH transmission rights of way in order to minimize impacts. This includes a 10-mile section of the preliminary preferred route that crosses the White Mountain National Forest (WMNF) on an existing transmission right of way; the new transmission line would be constructed next to the existing line. The route also crosses the Appalachian Trail at the site of the existing transmission right of way within the WMNF.

Impact Studies & Public Input Opportunities
In order for a Presidential Permit to be issued, The Northern Pass project must be found to be consistent with the public interest, which involves a determination of whether the project would have a negative impact on the operating reliability of the U.S. electric power supply system. In addition to studying the project's impact on electric reliability, the DOE must evaluate the environmental impacts associated with issuing or denying a Presidential Permit. This will include development of a full Environmental Impact Statement as required by the National Environmental Policy Act.

As part of this process, the DOE will conduct public hearings in New Hampshire. The public will have additional opportunities to provide input on the project at outreach meetings hosted by the Northern Pass project team, and public hearings conducted by the New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee as part of the separate state permitting process.  The public, municipalities, and other interested parties will be notified of public hearings when they are scheduled.

"This is an exciting, significant project for New Hampshire," said Bartosewicz. "We encourage people to participate in the public hearings and outreach meetings."

About The Northern Pass
The Northern Pass transmission project aims to deliver firm, competitively priced, low-carbon power that will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; mitigate price volatility in the region's energy market; and potentially help to avoid or defer the need to construct fossil fuel generation plants that would otherwise be required to produce an equivalent quantity of firm, reliable power.  The construction and operation of the Northern Pass transmission project will create hundreds of quality, local jobs and provide significant tax benefits for the State and more than 30 New Hampshire communities. The project is currently in the planning and permitting stages, with construction scheduled to be completed in 2015.

More Information

• General project information

• Presidential Permit application

• Establishing the preliminary route