On February 13, the Concord Monitor published an editorial, which concluded:

Since natural gas is more expensive than other fuels, that's what Hydro Quebec power will displace initially. Even so, the firm estimates that the displacement will eliminate millions of tons of carbon emissions every year. Judging by what is known now, the Northern Pass is in the best interest of the state and the environment, but the path of the line takes is an open question.

The U.S. Department of Energy announced the dates and locations of public "scoping" meetings focused on The Northern Pass project.

These are opportunities for interested parties to participate in the DOE's scoping process, both to help define the project's environmental issues to be analyzed and to identify the range of reasonable alternatives.

The scoping meetings will be structured in two parts: first, an informal discussion "workshop" period that will not be recorded; and second, a formal commenting session, which will be transcribed by a court stenographer. The meetings will provide interested parties the opportunity to view proposed project exhibits and make comments.

Written comments to the DOE will also be accepted, if emailed or postmarked by April 12, 2011. The DOE will consider all comments as it prepares a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The EIS will compare and analyze the potential environmental impacts of the various alternatives, and discuss ways to avoid or reduce adverse impacts.

The public scoping meetings are scheduled as follows:

1. Pembroke, Pembroke Academy cafeteria, 209 Academy Road, Monday, March 14, 6-9 pm (directions);
2. Franklin, Franklin Opera House, 316 Central Street, Tuesday, March 15, 6-9 pm (directions);
3. Lincoln, The Mountain Club on Loon, Hancock Room, 90 Loon Mountain Road, Wednesday, March 16, 6-9 pm (directions);
4. Whitefield, Mountain View Grand Hotel and Resort, Presidential Room, 101 Mountain View Road, Thursday, March 17, 6-9 pm (directions);
5. Colebrook, Colebrook Elementary School, 27 Dumont Street, Saturday, March 19, 1-4 pm. (directions)

For additional information, including instructions on submitting written comments, visit the "get involved" section of the DOE project website at http://northernpasseis.us/. Additional information is available at the project website: http://northernpass.us/.

Joe Casey, president of the New Hampshire State Building and Construction Trades Council, recently wrote a guest commentary that was published in the Nashua Telegraph. Casey focuses on how the project will impact NH's economy and employment:

Fortunately, one of the biggest benefits of the Northern Pass transmission project is its need for in-state labor. A recent economic study suggests the project would employ an average of 1,200 workers per year during the five-year construction phase.

In the near future, my organization will host job fairs and initiate outreach in the communities involved to recruit the workers necessary to complete this project. New Hampshire's loggers, builders, equipment operators and laborers can all fill essential roles in the construction of the transmission line.

Finally, at a time when our down economy has resulted in depressed wages for workers, the Northern Pass project would provide a good wage and benefits.

Future Job Opportunities 

Those interested in learning more about future job opportunities with The Northern Pass project can visit this page, which includes lists of the types of jobs available, as well as a way to sign up for information on all forthcoming job fairs.