Anti-eminent domain bill passes

A compromise bill aimed at trying to block the use of eminent domain for the Northern Pass electricity transmission line project is on its way to the desk of Gov. John Lynch.

Without debate, the House voted to accept changes made to their proposal by the state Senate late last month.

Rep. Jim Garrity, an Atkinson Republican, said the changed proposal from Senate President Peter Bragdon, a Milford Republican, and Rep. Jeanie Forrester, a Meredith Republican, met the goals of the bill the House had passed last March.

"The changes made by the Senate maintain the strong protection of private property rights advocated by the House," Garrity said.

The Senate also included a study commission that would examine alternatives for high-wire transmission connectors for Northern Pass such as burying electricity lines underground.

Even if the bill becomes law, Public Service of New Hampshire's plans for Northern Pass are still a go.

PSNH spokesman Michael Skelton insisted the project remained on track with no intention to use eminent domain.

PSNH officials maintain that the project can clear federal hurdles for the use of eminent domain as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is now studying the matter.

"Our understanding is that this FERC policy hasn't been determined yet, and we look forward to working with federal and regional regulators on development of a policy that fully considers projects like Northern Pass, and we are confident that given the reliability, low cost, and environmental benefits that this project provides, we will be able to develop structure that is conducive to the development of the project," PSNH said after the Senate vote.

Lynch spokesman Colin Manning said the governor has made no decision on the matter but opposed eminent domain for Northern Pass during his State of the State speech last week.

"The governor supports bringing more renewable power to New Hampshire, and believes we should not dismiss out of hand the idea of hydropower from Canada," Manning said in a statement.

"As the governor has said, this project cannot happen without local support, and it should not happen with eminent domain. He will be reviewing the bill to ensure it accomplishes its intended goal."

PSNH seeks to build a transmission line grid and generating station to deliver 1,200 megawatts of cheaper hydroelectric power from Hydro-Quebec through New Hampshire and on to New England.

The Senate had to take up the matter during consecutive sessions last month because, in the first meeting, senators had passed the compromise but inadvertently struck out Bragdon's compromise.