Hardy supports burying Northern Pass Hydro Line
Saint-françois MNA Guy Hardy announced last week that he supports burying the Hydro line in the Mount Hereford section of the Quebecnew Hampshire Interconnection project, commonly referred to as the Northern Pass project.
The project involves the construction of a 320-kv direct-current transmission line from the Des Cantons substation in Val-joli to the Franklin substation in southern New Hampshire.
The 79.2 km line would pass through Ascot Corner, alongside Johnville Bog and Forest Park, and around the west side of Mount Hereford before reaching the U.S. border.
The $125 million project was intended to begin construction this spring and be in service by 2019.
The project is still pending approval from the ministry of environment. Complicating the issue are recommendations from a Bureau d'audiences publiques sur l'environnement (BAPE) hearing made public in February, suggesting Hydro Quebec re-examine the possibility of burying part of the line crossing the Hereford community Forest.
A number of local environmental groups have also been gathering support through the website www.sos-hereford.org, calling on Hydro Quebec to respect the protected green space and bury the line.
Hardy said that after months of deliberation and discussions with supporters and opponents of the project, his conclusion was that the majority of the population is not against the project, but wants the Mount Hereford portion buried.
“It’s my job to represent the citizens and bring their concerns to the government,” Hardy said.
The Saint-françois MNA added that he will be delivering his report to Pierre Arcand, Minister of Sustainable Development, the Environment and Parks, relaying the concerns of his constituents.
“The process isn’t over,” Hardy commented.
Ultimately the decision lies with the minister of environment, he said.