Route Info

As part of its Presidential Permit application, which was filed with the U.S. Department of Energy in October of 2010, the project team identified a preliminary preferred route for The Northern Pass transmission line, as well as several alternate route segments. These efforts provided a starting point for detailed studies and public discussion about route location and impacts. Learn how the project team selected these preliminary routes.

In response to public comments and concerns, project representatives are working with landowners and town officials to reevaluate certain segments of the preferred route, and to explore whether there might be other feasible routing options—particularly in the North Country—that could achieve broader community support. Please contact us with your ideas and suggestions.

Route Segments Removed from Application

On April 12, 2011, the project team withdrew its support for five route segments it had identified in its Presidential Permit application as practical alternatives to its preferred route. These alternatives, all of which would have required new rights of way, include:

1. North Section, Second Alternative which would have gone around the Cape Horn State Forest, but through the Potter Farm conservation area in Northumberland and Lancaster;
2. North Section, Third which would have gone through Whitefield, Dalton, Littleton, Bethlehem, and Sugar Hill;
3. Central Section, First Alternative which would have gone around the White Mountain National Forest and through the towns of Easton, Landaff, Bath, Haverhill, Piermont, Orford, Wentworth, Dorchester, Groton, Rumney, Plymouth, Bridgewater, and Ashland; and
4. South Section, First Alternative and Second Alternative which would have gone through Canterbury, Concord, Loudon, Pembroke, Chichester, Pittsfield, Epsom, Northwood, and Deerfield.

By removing these route segments from consideration, the project is furthering its commitment to using existing rights of way as much as possible.

Use of Existing Rights of Way

As currently proposed, the project's preferred route is located entirely in existing transmission rights of way, where transmission lines exist today, with the following exceptions:

• For the section of the route between Groveton, NH, and the Canadian border, where no transmission rights of way exist today, about 40 miles of new right of way are needed.
• New rights of way may also be needed for an eight- mile section of the route through Concord, Chichester, and Pembroke. The project has expressed its strong desire to use the existing right of way adjacent to the Concord Municipal Airport, instead; and has asked the Federal Aviation Administration for its approval to utilize this route.

Please note that the final location of the route for this project is still being studied by the project team and state and federal agencies, with input from landowners, municipal officials, local organizations, and the general public.

The Northern Pass project team welcomes your comments and ideas at any time.