DURHAM — A perceived lack of transparency irked Durham residents at a public information session held on Wednesday evening for the Eversource transmission line project.
Eversource, formerly Public Service Co. of New Hampshire, has proposed electric station upgrades and a new 115-kilovolt transmission line that will begin in Madbury at the Miles Lane substation and extend about 13 miles through Durham, under Little Bay, into Newington and ending at a substation on Gosling Road in Portsmouth.
In Durham, approximately 100 new wood, laminated wood or steel monopoles measuring 90 to 115 feet high will replace the existing wood poles, which are 60 feet high. The need for the work was identified by ISO New England, which operates the region’s power grid. According to Eversource, electricity demand in portions of the Seacoast are growing at twice the rate of any other region in the state, placing a strain on the existing transmission system. According to Eversource spokesman Martin Murray, the new transmission line will help prevent possible power outages for large groups of customers.
The public information session held at Oyster River High School began the pre-application phase of the project. The session is required in order for the project to gain approval by the New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee (NHSEC). During the session, residents were encouraged to make public comments and ask questions about the project.
The majority of comments dealt with Eversource’s plan to use aboveground lines in Durham, with many residents favoring buried lines.
“I live down on the shore and there would be several overheads basically on top of my house,” said William Gatchell. “So of course I want them to go underground.”
Kenny Rotner, a town councilor who said he wanted to voice his opinions as a resident, not as a councilor, said Eversource should consider how much residents value the town's environment.
“I feel that our community really deserves a detailed presentation of the analysis that transpired that overhead wiring is preferential to burying wires,” he said.
Click below to read the full story on Seacoastonline.com