Easton Meeting 9/23/12:
About 150 people attended a meeting of concerned citizens at the Easton Town Hall sponsored the for a panel discussion to hear how Northern Pass could affect the White Mountain National Forest and why it is important to protect it and why NP has a huge hurdle to clear before they could be approved.
Rebecca Weeks More
Rebecca Weeks Sherrill More is the great-granddaughter of Sen. John W. Weeks for which the Weeks Act was written that created the White Mountain National Forest. Read the text of her speech.
Susan Schibanoff
Susan Schibanoff of Bury Northern Pass blog talked about what Northern Pass calls an "easement" or "right of way" that really isn't "theirs" in the White Mountain National Forest. Read Susan's handout
Jim Dannis
Jim Dannis, resident of Dalton, member of Responsible Energy Action, LLC as well as lifelong resident of NH talked gave a presentation about all the hurdles Northern Pass needs to clear in order get permission to use the White Mountain National Forest. Read Jim & Sandy's handout
Tim Duggin
Tim Duggan, member of Responsible Energy Action, LLC gave an overview of the EIS scoping comments. Read Tim's handout
Ken Kimball
Ken Kimball of the Appalachian Mountain Club provided an overview of the AMC's visual impact analysis of various points throughout NH including the White Mountain National Forest. UPDATE: On 9/25/12, the AMC released their Visual Impact Assessment.
Hawk Metheny
Hawk Metheny, Regional Director of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy talked about his organization's concerns about the potential impact Northern Pass on the Appalachian Trail.
Will Abbott
Will Abbott of the Society for Protection of NH Forests gave a brief update on their Trees Not Towers campaign.
Q & A- Underground
Question was asked by an audience member of the Forest Society as to what would their position be if Northern Pass agreed to underground the line.
Q & A- Scoping Comments
Question was asked by an audience member asked about disappearing scoping comments and if the problem was solved. Answer began with Tim Duggan.
Q & A- Blocking Properties
Question was asked by an audience member of the Forest Society as to why are four properties being sought out in the Trees Not Towers campaign when one could block the whole project.
Q & A- End of Scoping
Question was asked by an audience member who decides when the scoping period is over and if the state has its own scoping process. Answer provided by Christophe Courchesne of the Conservation Law Foundation
Q & A- Politicians
Question was asked by an audience member on where do our federal elected officals stand on Northern Pass. Jim Dannis starts the answer.
Q & A- Jobs & Taxes
Question was asked by an audience member how to refute the claims by project proponents about how it will add jobs and tax revenue.
Q & A- Energy Development
Question was asked by an audience member about energy policies and regional energy development.
Q & A- Power Grid
Question was asked by an audience member about energy efficiency of the power grid.
Q & A- Quebec
Question was asked by an audience member if any efforts have been made to coordinate with anyone who is opposed to the project in Quebec.
Q & A- Bulldog
Susan Schibanoff gave special recognizition to "Bulldog" Brian Tilton.
Northern Pass
