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Eversource urges committee to approve DCR easement for Greater Cambridge Energy Project
Summary
Eversource told the committee S2922 would authorize a permanent DCR easement at Magazine Beach to enable a drilled transmission route to a new Kendall Square substation, with Article 97 replacement land and an independent appraisal to determine fair market value for DCR.
Ryan Earl, government-affairs representative for Eversource, and Ken Roberts, project director for the Greater Cambridge Energy Project, testified in support of S2922. They said the bill would authorize the Department of Conservation and Recreation to grant an easement at Magazine Beach that allows a transmission route to be installed beneath the Charles River and parts of the Massachusetts Turnpike.
Ken Roberts described the project as essential to meet rapidly growing electrical load in Cambridge, including a first-in-the-nation underground substation in Kendall Square. He said the easement would be paired with fair-market-value compensation to DCR and the conveyance of a replacement 52-acre parcel in Wendell to satisfy Article 97 requirements.
Eversource emphasized ongoing coordination with DCR, the City of Cambridge and local stakeholders and framed S2922 as a necessary step for grid reliability, electrification and safe installation of transmission infrastructure. Committee members took no formal action during the hearing; Eversource said staff would be available to answer technical questions as the project proceeds.
Next steps: testimony concluded with the committee asking whether virtual panel members were available to answer follow-up questions; no amendments or votes were recorded at this session.
