TEWKSBURY - Several representatives from National Grid attended the February 3rd Board of Selectmen meeting to present their Merrimack Valley Reliability Project. The first part of the presentation stressed that National Grid’s project has nothing to do with Kinder Morgan and the Tennessee Gas Pipeline proposed project to run a lateral gas pipeline through Dracut, Tewksbury, Wilmington, and other nearby towns, ending in Lynnfield, MA.
According to Bryan Hudock, Project Manager, National Grid and its constituents are looking for open and regular communication and good dialogue with an effort to educate and inform.
Chairman Todd Johnson asked, “What have you done so far?”
Hudock explained that National Grid has been working to determine the need for the project slated to cover the Greater Boston, Southern New Hampshire region which have the most concentrated and fastest growing electronic demand, according to Independent Systems Operator-New England (ISO-NE), a third party Regional Transmission Organization (RTO).
ISO-NE oversees the operation of New England’s bulk electric power system and transmission lines, and is responsible for operating New England’s 32,000 megawatts bulk electric power generated transmission system. The organization works to ensure constant availability of electricity.
A recent Regional Study by ISO-NE, revealed inadequate transmission resources to serve electricity needs in southern New Hampshire and northeastern Massachusetts. In an effort to sufficiently address resource issues, Eversource (formerly NStar and its parent company, Northeast Utilities) and National Grid have teamed up to implement the construction of a new transmission line between Londonderry, NH and Tewksbury, MA.
The Merrimack Valley Reliability Project will consist of installing a new 345-kilovolt (kV) overhead line along 24.6 miles of an existing power line corridor that runs between Londonderry, New Hampshire, and Tewksbury, Massachusetts. Approximately 18 miles of the line will pass through Londonderry, Hudson, Windham and Pelham in New Hampshire, and 6.5 miles through Dracut, Andover and Tewksbury in Massachusetts. The project will also include station upgrades. Of the 18 miles in New Hampshire, Eversource will construct 10 miles of line through Londonderry and Hudson, and National Grid will construct 8 miles of line through Hudson, Windham and Pelham.
Specifically for Tewksbury, the work will start at an existing substation (near Route 38) and then head north in the existing right-of-way, crossing Route 495 and Route 133. The overall Project will require the reconfiguration of the existing structures within the right-of-way to accommodate the new line. In Tewksbury, National Grid will work in approximately 1.87 miles of the right-of-way and relocate approximately 59 structures and add approximately 20 new structures.
National Grid is working to facilitate a proactive community outreach with the goal of gathering as much feedback from the community as possible. In addition, it is planned that a Tewksbury Community Meeting – Open House will be held on February 12th.
Selectman David Gay asked why Tewksbury was chosen as a starting point. Hudock explained that the location of existing substations makes the project’s starting point more feasible.
Selectman James Wentworth told Hudock that he appreciated the community outreach by National Grid, and acknowledged that the project will make about 1,000 jobs available.
“Will these jobs go to the residents of Tewksbury?” asked Wentworth. Hudock explained that National Grid has vendors and contractors in place, but there is a possibility. Wentworth then encouraged National Grid to advertise for Tewksbury residents as the need arises.
Selectman Bruce Panilaitis had questions about the impact on the roadway, and what could be done to mitigate the problem. Hudock explained an Evaluation of Construction Plan would be put in place.
Selectman Scott Wilson said, “I think abutters will ask, ‘what will I be looking at?’” Hudock informed Wilson that National Grid has a visual consultant who will be taking pictures of before and after scenarios.
Todd Johnson commended the efforts of National Grid and wanted to know if Tewksbury residents would benefit from this change citing that utilities have proposed projects in the past that have not benefited Tewksbury, and if there were any health risks involved from Electromagnetic Field (EMF) exposure. Hudock explained that since the line terminates in Tewksbury, that it is part of the solution, and that there will be regional benefits to Tewksbury. Hudock added that while nothing scientifically has shown impact from EMF, they will have an expert on hand to talk to the EMF issue.
The Tewksbury Community Meeting – Open House for the MVRP Project is scheduled for Thursday, February 12th at the Senior Center, on 175 Chandler St. from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.
