Letter to Norman Bay, Chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission - Additional Public Scoping Meetings on Proposed NED Project

Letter

Dear Chairman Bay,

I write to request that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission schedule additional public scoping meetings in New Hampshire for the Northeast Energy Direct (NED) Project. The Commission's current plan, to hold only three such meetings, and none in locations along the middle of the proposed route, will not provide adequate opportunity for our citizens to learn and provide input about a project that has a potentially critical impact on the state's economy and environment.

As you know, your agency recently announced that it will hold public scoping meetings in New Hampshire regarding the NED Project proposed by Tennessee Gas Pipeline. To date, only two such meetings have been scheduled with a suggestion that there will be a third. Given the significance of this project to the people along the project's route, additional meetings -- providing a choice of locations and times -- will afford more meaningful access for our people. In addition, there appears to be no plan for a scoping meeting in New Ipswich, New Hampshire, the proposed location of one of the NED Project's compressor stations. It is difficult for New Ipswich residents to understand why such a meeting isn't a priority for the Commission, and I share their concern.

As you know, it is the responsibility of the Commission to ensure that any potential impacts to host communities are avoided or mitigated. By holding additional public scoping meetings along the proposed route, Commission staff will have a better understanding of the potential impacts of the proposed project and the best path forward. Additional scoping meetings will also ensure greater transparency and public participation in the process.

It is imperative that we ensure that all citizens have ample opportunity to participate in this important process to voice their concerns. The capacity of the Commission to be responsive to the concerns that citizens have about the number and location of the scoping meetings is really a measure of its commitment to the process.

Thank you for your consideration.

With every good wish,

Margaret Wood Hassan
Governor

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