CONCORD — Site Evaluation Committee members challenged the credibility of a number of Northern Pass experts on Wednesday during the second day of deliberations on the proposed $1.6 billion transmission project.
The committee, which is expected to reach a decision on whether to approve the 192-mile, high-voltage transmission line project stretching from Pittsburg to Deerfield by Feb. 23, discussed whether the project would interfere with the orderly development of communities and the region. Orderly development is one of four criteria used to determine if the project will be approved.
The majority of the committee disagreed with Eversource’s experts’ conclusions that the project would not change land use along the existing utility right-of-way, lower property values, or have little effect on tourism.
But they did agree it would would lower electric costs by as little as $5 a year for residential customers to more than $20, and would create jobs, but not as many as projected by the company’s financial expert.
Many intervenors, particularly municipalities, said the project would adversely impact orderly development, would be inconsistent with master plans and would violate zoning and planning ordinances.
The increased use of the easement and the much larger structures would change the land use and the character of their communities, they argued.
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