Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Energy Siting topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Regional planning group briefed on Gateway petition for contested hearing over river transmission rewire
Summary
Gateway representatives told RiverCOG they filed for intervenor status with the siting council on a petition to rewire transmission lines over the Connecticut River (docket 1690), requested a contested public hearing or full certificate application process, and asked RiverCOG to track and share materials as the siting board considers the matter.
Representatives from the Lower Connecticut River Gateway asked RiverCOG to support greater transparency and public review for a proposed transmission-line rewire across the Connecticut River.
"Basically, we filed a request of [the] siting council for environmental intervention into docket 1690," one Gateway representative said, describing the filing as an effort to ensure the siting process includes a public hearing or a full certificate application rather than a streamlined petition process.
Gateway said the project could significantly affect the river corridor and that a contested hearing would allow towns and stakeholders to present alternatives — including whether lines could be routed under the river in a conduit — and to explore visual and environmental impacts such as large marker spheres used on overhead spans.
Board members pressed Gateway on possible alternatives and local impacts. A member noted prior examples where lines ran in an under-river conduit at Goodspeed and asked whether that option had been considered. Gateway replied that detailed alternatives and feasibility would be presented if a hearing is held and that the group had asked the siting board to at least hold a public hearing or require a full certificate application.
Gateway offered to leave copies of its filing with RiverCOG staff and asked the board to stay informed through staff updates. RiverCOG did not take a formal vote at the meeting but encouraged Gateway to share materials and agreed to request updates from staff.
