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Land-taking ban headed to governor's desk
CONCORD — A bill that prohibits taking private property by eminent domain for transmission lines has been sent to the governor.
House Bill 648 would allow the use of eminent domain only if the land is crucial to the region's power needs. The measure, favored by opponents of the controversial Northern Pass project, was approved by the House last March and the Senate last week.
Gov. John Lynch said he will review the bill to ensure it accomplishes its intended goal.
Northern Pass would bring hydropower-generated electricity from Quebec along a 180-mile transmission line from Pittsburg to Deerfield.
The project is being developed by Northeast Utilities, Public Service of New Hampshire's parent company, and NSTAR, and being financed by Hydro Quebec.
The developers have said they never intended to use eminent domain, but residents and lawmakers have been skeptical.
Lynch spokesman Colin Manning said the governor supports bringing more renewable power to New Hampshire, and believes the idea of hydropower from Canada should not be dismissed out of hand.
But Lynch has also said the project cannot happen without local support and it should not happen with eminent domain, Manning said.
The House Wednesday agreed to changes the Senate made in the bill.
House Science, Technology and Energy Committee Chairman James Garrity, R-Atkinson, said the Senate changes maintain the strong private property rights the House passed last session by a 317 to 51 vote.
He told the House the Senate version includes a committee to review a number of issues dealing with regional energy needs.
Opponents say the $1.1 billion Northern Pass project is not needed and could limit new renewable energy projects in the state.
House Bill 648 would allow the use of eminent domain only if the land is crucial to the region's power needs. The measure, favored by opponents of the controversial Northern Pass project, was approved by the House last March and the Senate last week.
Gov. John Lynch said he will review the bill to ensure it accomplishes its intended goal.
Northern Pass would bring hydropower-generated electricity from Quebec along a 180-mile transmission line from Pittsburg to Deerfield.
The project is being developed by Northeast Utilities, Public Service of New Hampshire's parent company, and NSTAR, and being financed by Hydro Quebec.
The developers have said they never intended to use eminent domain, but residents and lawmakers have been skeptical.
Lynch spokesman Colin Manning said the governor supports bringing more renewable power to New Hampshire, and believes the idea of hydropower from Canada should not be dismissed out of hand.
But Lynch has also said the project cannot happen without local support and it should not happen with eminent domain, Manning said.
The House Wednesday agreed to changes the Senate made in the bill.
House Science, Technology and Energy Committee Chairman James Garrity, R-Atkinson, said the Senate changes maintain the strong private property rights the House passed last session by a 317 to 51 vote.
He told the House the Senate version includes a committee to review a number of issues dealing with regional energy needs.
Opponents say the $1.1 billion Northern Pass project is not needed and could limit new renewable energy projects in the state.