Governor Sununu and Northern Pass

Hello,

Before voting on Tuesday, please take a minute to read the letter below by Nancy Martland of Sugar Hill, a long-time activist fighting Northern Pass.  

Thank you!

Sununu loves Northern Pass

Like most people, you’re probably not a one-issue voter. Neither am I. But one issue has dominated the past eight years of my life: Northern Pass.  Many, many North Country people believe the project would damage us in a variety of ways. Together, thousands of us put in the sustained effort that resulted in the NH Site Evaluation Committee issuing a resounding rejection of the Northern Pass application last spring. But Eversource didn’t exactly pick up its marbles and walk away. The company chose to file a still pending appeal with the NH Supreme Court, and regularly issues optimistic statements about the continued progress of their project.

Governor Chris Sununu is a big booster of Northern Pass, and a great friend to Eversource. He has paid no heed to the objections raised by the North Country. Sununu rejected the exacting and correct SEC decision to deny a permit: “When you look at that process, that just screams that something’s wrong and as governor, I’m going to do what I can to fix it,” Sununu said. He didn’t specify how.

Sununu now controls appointments to the SEC. Presumably, one way to “fix it’ would be to fill new vacancies with individuals whose views are more in agreement with his on this issue. If Eversource decides to refile, these people will make the final decision. 

Another way to “fix it” would be to encourage and support legislation to weaken the regulatory rules that allowed the SEC to accept and value public and municipal input into its decision-making process. 

Either or both of these possibilities pave the way for Northern Pass to resurface or for other similar projects to be approved.

After eight long years of opposition, this is not the outcome the North Country needs.

Chris Sununu seems like a nice man with an engaging smile. However, to put it baldly, he is a great friend to Eversource and Northern Pass, and no friend to Northern Pass opponents here in the North Country.

On the Northern Pass issue alone, Sununu will not be getting my vote on election day. Please think carefully about this when you vote.

Nancy Martland                                                                                                                                                    Sugar Hill