NH Conservation

X-178 115V Line, built in 1948-9 with 336 ASCR, Streeter Pond Tap to Whitefield “upgraded” to 795 ASCR in 1969 when U-199 is built, Beebe River to Streeter Pond tap “upgraded” to 795 ASCR in 1986.

Listed as cancelled in April 2024 Asset Condition Project list.

Pole height increases, WMNF, Lincoln, Woodstock|}}{{, Easton and Sugar Hill

2036, December 31: 2007 Special Use permit for .75 miles; upper Reel Brook Trail and two connecting trails/roads to the powerline, expires.

2024, October 1: OCA letter to SEC requesting the tape of the hearing.

2024, October 1: SEC denial of Maine Office of the Public Advocate and N.H. Office of the Consumer Advocate petitions to intervene

2024, September 24: Motion for clarification of the scope of the PUC proceeding in which Eversource has petitioned the PUC to allow it to violate Bethlehem's zoning.

2024, September 23: Minutes of SEC hearing in which "Chairman Goldner asks Attorney Getz about oversight and review by FERC. Attorney Getz replies that project will be reviewed by ISO-New England and FERC."

2024, September 18: Office of the Consumer Advocate response to Eversource

2024, September 16: Eversource reply to Easton and Bethlehem petition to the SEC

2024, September 10: Maine OPA reply to Eversource objection to Maine OPA intervention in SEC docket

2024, September 10: Eversource's objection to Maine Public Advocate's intervention in SEC docket

2024, September 10: Eversource's objection to expansion of scope of SEC docket

2024, September 9: kp letter to Eversource and PAC re. missing information and September "informational" meeting

2024, September 8 (discovered on Eversource's site): Campton proposed" structure height increases.

204, September 8: Easton "proposed structure height increases.

2024, September 8: Thornton "proposed" structure height increases.

2024, September 8: Lincoln "proposed" structure height increases

2024 September 8: Woodstock "proposed" structure height increases

2024, September 8: Sugar Hill proposed structure height increases

2024, September 8: (posted earlier): Bethlehem "proposed" structure height increases.

2024 September 8: Dalton "proposed" structure height increases.

2024, September 8: Whitefield "proposed" structure height increases

2024, August (received): post-construction grade of roads, pull pads and crane pads, Easton Phase 1

2024, August 29: Maine OPA petition to intervene in SEC docket

2024, August 29: Maine OPA petition to intervene in SEC docket

2024, August 28: Notice of changed meeting time for SEC hearing

2024, August 20: PUC notice of adjudicative hearing on Eversource request for exemption from Bethlehem pole height zoning

2024, August 22: Portland Press Herald; "Mainers could pay $32 million for grid upgrade in New Hampshire"

2024, August 19: InDepthNH article on X-178 lawsuit

2024, August 19: Consumer Advocates of New England letter to Eversource re.X-178

2024, August 16: Consumer Advocates of New England press release re. X-178

2024, August 15: Eversource petition to intervene in SEC dockeet 2024-02

2024, August 15: Eversource cover letter re. SEC docket 2024-02

2024, August 15: Office of the Consumer Advocate petition to intervene in SEC Docket 24-02; request for SEC to adjudicate X-178

2024, August 12: Caledonian-Record article on the X-178; NESCOE and the SEC.

2024, August 12: ISO response to question on the absence of the X-178 from the asset condition list

2024, August 6 released by a 91-a: X-178 (2) Phase 1 Alteration of Terrain application, dated March 20 2024, permitted/approved 5/28/2024, permit good until 5/28/2029.

2024, August 6; released to the public by a 91-a: X-178 (3) approved Alteration of Terrain application

2024, August 6; released to the public by a 91-a: digital X-178-1 wetland permitting plans dated June 7, 2024

2024, undated redacted communication DES with DES Attorney Courtney Lockwood

2024, August 5: Easton Selectboard minutes

2024, August 5: kp letter to Eversource and DES re. continued failure to provide digital versions of AoT and Wetlands permit applications

2024, August 1: NESCOE letter to Eversource and ISO: "absent information showing that this use of consumer dollars is well-supported and reasonable, NESCOE is prepared to use its full resources to explore all available options to dispute the reasonableness of the investments, including but not limited to action at FERC."

2024, August 1: Easton Planning Board draft minutes

2024, July 26: SEC notice of public meeting re.: Docket No. 2024-02 Petition Requesting Jurisdiction and Oversight of Eversource’s Proposed X-178 Transmission Line Replacement Project

2024, July 24: DOE permit for X-178 crossings. DOE claims that the X-178 rebuild is necessary to meet the reasonable needs of service to the public.

2024, July 18: Caledonian Record

2024, July 18: DOE staff recommendation

2024, July 11: Eversource crossing application

2024: Eversource crossing exhibits and line profile drawings

2024, July 23: Revised AoT permitting plans

2024, July 17: email re. revised AoT permitting plans, 1

2024, July 17: Email re. revised AoT permitting plans, 2

2024, July 16: aquifer and wetlands

2024, July 15: Inquiry by InDepthNH

2024, July 11: draft minutes Easton Planning Board meeting with Eversource re site plan review

2024, July 8: Inquiry by InDepthNH

2024, July 8: Inquiry by InDepthNH

2024, July 8: Inquiry by InDepthNH

2024, July 8: Inquiry by InDepthNH

2024, July 8: DES responses to InDepthNH re. exclusion of easement-encumbered landowners from DES AoT and Wetlands permit applications

2024, July 5: Inquiry by InDepthNH

2024, July 5: DES and NH AG conversation re. easement-encumbered landowner rights

2024: X-178 (3) undated email to LAC providing link to DES Wetlands permit application

2024: X-178 (2), existing and proposed structure heights, Bethlehem

2024, July 5: DES Commissioner Robert Scott forward to Philip Trowbridge, Jeffrey Blecharczyk and Micheal Schlosser complaint documents re. DES permitting process and Eversource regulatory failures in its transmission construction.

2024, July 5: kp email to DES, AG and others re. lack of landowner signatures on AoT applications.

2024, June 24: follow up re. recommendations for X-178(1)

2024, June 21: Eversource petition to PUC for exemption from Bethlehem zoning re. height

2024, June 21: NH DES hearing presentation

2024, June 21: Letter to DES re DES ignoring its requirement that landowners sign AoT permits

PUC docket site for Eversource petition for waiver from Bethlehem's height restrictions

2024, June 21: Eversource Sam Harris testimony for PUC re. necessity for "proposed" structure height increases

2024, June 21: Eversource Sam Harris exhibits; minutes of Bethlehem Planning Board meeting and Eversource presentation "Erik Newman comments that he appreciates everyone’s concerns, however, these poles need to be replaced and encourages the Planning Board to approve the waiver."

2024, June 20: NH PUC Bethlehem hearing guidelines

2024, June 20: follow up presentation to PAC

2024, June 20: Minutes of PAC meeting, second presentation of X-178

2024, June: Acadia Center article on X-178.

2024, June 18: kp comment on ES Hobson's Choice presentation #2 to PAC

2024, June 17: Review by NH Department of Historical Resources, X-178(1)

2024, June 12: Caledonian Record, legal notice, DES wetlands

2024, June 12: DES notice in Littleton Courier

2024, June 12: Eversource pre-follow up letter to PAC stating that standards requiring planning for a 1" ice load on the conductor is why the proposed structures are taller.

2024, June 11: X-178(1) follow up communication regarding recommended Fish & Game protections for Wood turtles. "Eversource has been very cooperative with NHF&G by agreeing to undertake a field survey within the ROW for potential overwintering turtle habitat areas, and engaging with NHF&G to develop protective, yet reasonable permit conditions."

2024, June 10: re. X-178(1) Aot permit application

2024, June 7: Eversource contractor VHB Response to DES Request for More Information – Standard Dredge and Fill Wetlands Permit Application X178-1 Transmission Line Rebuild Project – Campton, Thornton, Woodstock, NH

2024, June 6: kp letter to DES, Eversource and PAC re. DES defining Eversource as the landowner of the easements.

2024, May 30: re X-178 Aot

2024, May 30: re AoT wetlands file, 1

2024, May 30: re AoT wetlands file, 2

2024, May 30: re AoT wetlands file, 3

2024, May 30: AoT Wetlands

2024, undated: CAMPTON ARM FUND WORKSHEET NHDES AQUATIC RESOURCE MITIGATION FUND WETLAND PAYMENT CALCULATION

2024, May 29: X-178(1) AoT permit application

2024, May 29: X-178(1) AoT permit application

2024, May 29: X-178(1) Rebuild Project Additional Wetland Information Table

2024, May 29:

2024, May 29:

2024, May 28: X-178(2) Phase 1 impacts per AoT = 1,434,210 square feet aka 33 acres

2024, May 28: Eversource request for review of X-178(1) Dredge and Fill application by NH Division of Historical Resources which writes: "We look forward to receiving assessment of effect tables for all resources eligible or listed to the National Register."

2024, May 24: DES issues permit for Alteration of 33 acres of Terrain on Section 2, Phase 1

2024, May 21: Caledonian Record article on petition to SEC (Sugar Hill did not join)

2023, May 16: Endangered Species list

2024, May 13: Minutes, Sugar Hill Selectboard re. petition to SEC

2024, May 12: k pastoriza letter to ES and PAC re proposed conductor clearances

2025, May 8: X-178(1) extension agreement with DES, signed

2024, May 3: kp letter to FS re Russell Pond SUP

2024, May 1: DOT driveway permit cover letter

2024, April 30: DES issues permit for impacts to protected shoreland in Campton

2024, April 30: DES issues permit for impacts to protected shoreland in Thornton

2024, April 30: DOT driveway permit for easement

2024, April 26: k pastoriza letter to E$, ISO re new plan for X-178

2024, April: X-178 PAC presentation Annotated

2024, April 26: Eversource BMP violations

2024, April 26: Campton protected shoreland impacts

2024, April 26: Thornton protected shoreland impacts

2024, April 16: "Row Concern DES Permits" 1

2024, April 16: "Row Concern DES Permits" 2

2024, April 12: Eversource delays its May PAC presentation

2024, April 10: Comments by Jim Page

2024, April 10: Comments by Mike Kenney

2024, April 9: kp comment on rebuild as a response to claimed need to replace 41 out of 1160+ poles.

2024, April 7: comment on Eversource and FirstLight

2024, April 2: Eversource Small Projects Day application for line rebuild on Section 1 of X-178, Woodstock.

2024, April, 2: PAC responses to stakeholder comments

2024, April 1: DES to Easton notice of X-178(2) Phase 1 AoT application with cc to Sugar Hill and Woodstock. "Please provide a copy of this notice to all interested departments, boards and commissions."

2024, March 30: X-178-1; 77.4 acres excavated

2024, March 26: X-178 phase 1. Transcription of part of DES application for Alteration of Terrain. The AoT application was not sent to easement encumbered landowners and not given to the town in digital form

2024, March 26: Description of X-178(1) by DES with no context

2024, March 20: kp letter to PAC and Eversource re. percent of category c poles

2024, March 20: kp letter to PAC re. OPGW

2024, March 20: Maine PUC comments

2024, March 18, k pastoriza question re structure locations (incorrectly dated)

2024, March 15: NESCOE comments

2024, March 15: Dredge and Fill PRLAC comments

2024, March 15: k. pastoriza alternatives to project proposal

2024, March 9: k pastoriza request for Category C POLE locations

2024, March 7: Eversource request for NH Division of Historical Resouces review of X-178(1). Eversource states there are no buildings, structures (bridges, walls, culverts, etc.,) objects, districts or landscapes within the project area. DHR requests more information.

2024, March 5: proof of deliveries of X-178(3) hard copies

2024, March 4: DES to Sugar Hill notice of X-178(3) AoT application, with cc to Bethlehem. "Please provide a copy of this notice to all interested departments, boards and commissions."

2024, March 1: Fish & Game to DES: "NHB23-1568, NHB23-1711 X178-1 Transmission Line Rebuild Project NHDES Wetlands Standard Dredge and Fill, Alteration of Terrain NHFG Recommendations"

2024, March 1: Questions on X-178

2024, February 29: X-178(1)

2024, April 29: emails re Proof of transmittal X-178(3)

2024, February or March, posted after 2/28 PAC meeting: PAC "Guidelines" for public comments

2024, February 29: PAC meetings fail to ensure adequate project review

2024, February 28: PAC meeting; "While the transmission owners report asset condition projects to the PAC for informational purposes, the ISO does not have a decisional role in this area; these projects fall under a separate tariff administered by the TOs [transmission operators] under the jurisdiction of the FERC." ISO does approve asset condition projects for inclusion in costs passed on to rate-payers.

2024, February 28: minutes for February 28 PAC meeting with X-178 presentation, not posted on ISO PAC site until July 18, 2024

2024: Environmental Permitting Planset, Easton, no wetlands scientist stamp.

2024, February 28: Eversource document for presentation to PAC

2024, February 27: Questions on Eversource PAC presentation

2024, February 27: Easton Conservation Commission request for a 40-day extension for comment on Eversource's X-178 Wetlands Permit Application

2024, February 27: kp question on X-178 presentation to the PAC document

2024, February 27: kp letter to PAC; X-178 is not an asset condition project

2024, February 26 (dated): Eversource response to k. pastoriza questions.

2024, February 17: letter to PAC, ISO and ES re failure of X-178 to meet definition of asset condition project

2024, February 17: kp request to PAC to allot two hours for questions on Eversource's X-178 proposal to the PAC

2024, February 13: "This email is to acknowledge that the Bethlehem Conservation Commission (BCC) has notified the NHDES Wetlands Bureau of its intent to investigate further the application included in File # 2024‐00297. The NHDES Wetlands Bureau will suspend action on the application until March 25, 2024 or receipt of a report from the BCC, whichever is sooner."

2024, February 5: proof of delivery to Ammonoosuc LAC with link to digital Wetlands Application. Eversource claimed AoT and Wetlands application were too large to send.

2024, February; Reel Brook Trail to be used as access road, pending WMNF approval, section 1

2024, February; Reel Brook Trail to be used as access road, pending WMNF approval, section 2

2024, January 18: kp questions on structure locations

2024, January 6, cover letter for wetlands permit application, Dalton

2024, January 3: Easton Conservation Commission draft minutes

January 6, 2023: Eversource presentation to Easton Conservation Commission with commentary

January 3, 2024: Eversource presentation to Easton Conservation Commission

2023: smooth green snake flyer

2023, December 1: Fish & Game permit conditions X-178(3), Sugar Hill, Bethlehem, Dalton and Whitefield.

2023, October 5: Fish & Game and Eversource email

2023, September 15: Eversource request to NH Division of Historical Resources for review of X-178(1), states there are not buildings, structures (bridges, walls, culverts, etc.,) objects, districts or landscapes within the project area. DHR writes: "Please contact the DHR to further refine scope of architectural survey."

2023, September 7: Fish and Game and Eversource email

2023, September: first view of Bog Pond from east showing location of planned 750' x 100' permanent cleared and graded laydown area.

2023, September: Bog Marsh

2023, September: X-178 crossing of Bog Pond

2023, September: view of Lafayette

2023, September: view of Mt. Wolf

2023, September: Bog Pond and east side of Old Kinsman Notch. X-178 line below cliffs on left.

2023, September: X-178 line below Cliffs, and Bog Pond

2023, September: Bog Pond and X-178, South Kinsman behind

2023, September: Cliffs with X-178 below, and Bog Pond

2023, August 23: letter to PAC and Eversource

2023, August 1; Campton, Thornton and Woodstock DRAFT proposed construction plans

2023, August 1; North Woodstock to Sugar Hill DRAFT proposed construction plans

2023, August 1; Sugar Hill, Bethlehem, Dalton, Whitefield DRAFT proposed construction plans

2023, Inspection/Treatment tags on 1948 section of line

2023, July 3; drone image X-178

2023, July 23; drone image x-178 no road

2023, June 22: Natural Heritage Bureau datacheck email 1

2023, June 22: Natural Heritage Bureau datacheck email 2} {{ :x178:questions_for_eversource_re_proposed_x-178_upgrade_6_2023.pdf |2023, June; questions for Eversource

2023, May 24; response to Eversource answers to questions

2023, May; questions for Eversource

2023, May; photo of line

2023, May letter to ISO re X-178 and Asset Condition problem

2023, May 8-22: WMNF-E$ emails re permitting rebuild; "X178-2 140 structures to be replaced within the WMNF Some off right of way access required Wetland Impact: ~526,617 sq. ft. (~12.1 acres) Upland Grading Impacts: ~ 1,938,401 sq. ft. (~44.5 acres)"

2023, May 16: Fish and Wildlife letter re. endangered species

2023, April 22: "Dear Neighbor" letter

2023, April; Project Fact Sheet sent to landowners claiming reliability

2023, April 14; E$ to Easton: "The only request at this point in time is keeping it to municipal staff only while we complete additional outreach to the towns along this line from Campton up to Whitefield.'

2023, April 14; "Confidential" Project information sent with the email above.

2023, April 7: Project presentation to WMNF.

2023, April 13: Archaeological survey proposal, WMNF

2022, September 19: Survey Postcard

2021, February 18: Transmission line aerial overview plans, GZA

2020, January 30: Aerial overview plan

2018, October 17; PAC submission, replace 56 structures out of 570 at $11.2 million, later cancelled

2017 river crossing application, no mention of pole condition problems.

circa 2017 crossbar and insulator replacement

2016: Bog Pond Scenic Area proposal rejected by WMNF

2016: Bog Pond Scenic Area procedural history

2015, November 9: SPNHF letter to Easton re. property rights; "Further, the DES regulations require "[t]he applicant(s) or agent and the owner(s) or agent, if other than the applicant(s), [to] sign and date the application form." !d. 1503.10(a). Because the property owner of some of the route, the Forest Society, has not signed Nothern Pass's application, the application is incomplete. It does not include all the required signatures."

2015, October 19: Testimony for Northern Pass; "load has not required upgrade of remaining [336] lines"

2016: X-178 dumped pole clean up by Eversource under pressure from Easton Conservation Commission. New line is proposed to be built in areas Eversource deemed too vulnerable for pole removal.

2015, July: work plan' "#1. Easton, Approximately 27 old poles to be removed. Debris located between X178 structure 266 and 291/ #2. Woodstock, NH, Approximately 41 old poles to be removed, Debris located between X178 structure 199 and 210 #3. Lincoln, NH, Approximately 147 old poles/pieces to be removed. Debris located between X178 structure 211 and 264"

Winco Lineman's safety manual

Winco Longline job hazard analysis

PAR helicopter requirements

PAR X-178 Health and Safety Plan

2015, July: PAR submittal: "If this project is awarded, PAR will longline several individuals into a ROW in order to cut up left over structure pieces and debris so they can be removed by the aircraft. Due to the lack of access, workers will need to be lowered into the ROW via longline...Workers will be transferred into different locations along an 8 mile stretch of ROW being inserted and extracted by longline."

2014: Eversource valuation of ROW and infrastructure in Easton

2013, May 22: Northern Pass and WMNF Special Use Permit requirements

NP Special Use Permit info. for WMNF with map showing where Eversource has no ROW

2013; found poem: Muntz WMNF special use permit application

2013, January 29: Letter to WMNF;"United States Forest Service (“USFS”) regulations and guidance and the provisions of the WMNF Land and Resource Management Plan (“Forest Plan”)" include "the mandate that the project, given its proposed location within the Appalachian Trail management area, constitute the “only feasible and prudent alternative to meet an overriding public need,”"

2005?: White Mountain Roadless Areas. Kinsman: "The powerline corridor on the south boundary of the Inventoried Roadless Area is the most prominent non-conforming feature near the Inventoried Roadless Area. The corridor separates this Inventoried Roadless Area from the Mt. Wolf-Gordon Pond Inventoried Roadless Area. Its removal is impractical and unanticipated at this time."

Bog Pond area with poles dumped in 1986 "upgrade"

1948 pole Bog Pond area

Bog Pond area

2013, September 5: Northern Pass amended attachment to Special Use Permit

2008, March 31: Northeast Utilities (now Eversource) plans for Deerfield to Webster to Coolidge, Vermont 345kV line and Northern Pass

FEIS

2007 Special Use permit for .75 miles; upper Reel Brook Trail and two connecting trails/roads to the powerline

2007 Special Use permit, Easton, Lincoln, Woodstock

2007 Special Use permit; Russell Pond, Horner Brook

1987 Pemigewasset crossing, North Woodstock

1986 'upgrade' paid for by Hydro-Quebec

Pesticides used on ROW until 1985

1970, November 13: Special Use Permit for powerline in Woodstock

1970, March 25: FS to DOT re Special Use Permit for re-routed section of X-178 caused by I-93 extension north: "The lines should be planned, designed and constructed for the future anticipated needs of 345kV and 115kV and not to the present so that when the time comes, the necessary towers or poles will be in place and no added width will be needed."

1970, March 25: FS to DOT re Special Use Permit for powerline in Woodstock.

1970, February 19: Plymouth Record on powerline relocation

1970, February 10: Forest Service denies PSNH special use permit for new line

1970, February 6 through March 3; Forest Service and DOT documents re expansion of I-93 and relocation of powerline; "Due to increased demands for power, it appears that within a ten year period the combined existing 115kV and 69kV lines will be boosted to 345kV and 115kV and the existing 69kV line feeding northerly to Lincoln from the substation will be increased to a 115kV line."

1970, June 26: Union Leader article on powerline relocation; "...it has been projected that Public Service will have to provide twice as much electric power just eight years from now as the company is providing today."

1950 PSNH transmission map showing X-178

1948: portion of condemnation deed, Easton: "In order to meet the reasonable requirements of service to the public , it is necessary for the company to construct one or more 115kV transmission lines from Groveton, New Hampshire to North Woodstock, New Hampshire."

1948, June 15: WMNF SUP permit for X178, "part of a similar line from Northumberland to Woodstock"

1945: Forest Service suggests Bog Pond rather than Coppermine Trail

Bog Pond from South Kinsman before powerline