Governor Hassan and Senator Shaheen Applaud Announcement of Additional Coos County Public Hearing on Northern Pass and Extension of Public Comment Deadline

Press Release

Today, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced changes to the public review process for the proposed Northern Pass Transmission project to include a hearing in Colebrook, New Hampshire, following requests from Governor Maggie Hassan and Senator Jeanne Shaheen. Governor Hassan wrote a letter and Senator Shaheen called DOE Secretary Ernest Moniz, urging DOE to include a hearing in northern Coos County in its public hearings schedule to better accommodate citizens in the North Country. The public comment period on the project will also be extended to April 4, 2016, and the public hearings slated for December will be rescheduled.

The public hearings provide an opportunity for Granite Staters to comment on DOE's Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project, announced this summer, and the Supplement to the Draft EIS, announced in November.

"As we consider the siting of proposed energy projects, we must ensure a thorough and transparent review so that the most impacted communities have the opportunity to be heard," Governor Hassan said. "I applaud the Department of Energy for heeding my and Senator Shaheen's call to improve the public review process. I will continue to work to ensure that all Granite Staters have an opportunity to have their voices heard and to push the company and the federal government to continue to address their concerns."

"Granite Staters must have ample opportunity to review this project and have their voices heard," said Senator Shaheen. "A hearing in Colebrook will provide a forum for Coos County residents to participate in this review process. I'm pleased that the change Governor Hassan and I requested was quickly accommodated."

Source