Northern Pass developers have filed a response to the Conservation Law Foundation's request to halt the project, saying it is nothing but a delaying tactic.

CLF and a host of other New Hampshire conservation and planning groups have requested the U.S. Department of Energy to first study the need to import hydroelectric power; Northern Pass would bring in 1,200 megawatts of power from Hydro-Quebec.

In a May 5 letter to DOE, Mary Anne Sullivan, counsel for Northern Pass Transmission LLC wrote: “... the CLF motion is without legal support. It appears instead to be nothing more than an attempt to delay consideration of the Northern Pass application for a presidential permit...”

Northern Pass is a project proposed by Northeast Utilities, NStar and Hydro-Quebec. They plan to build or rebuild transmission towers from Pittsburg to Deerfield. Many residents are concerned that the towers — from 80 to 135 feet high — would ruin scenic vistas and decrease property values. Opponents have also pointed out that only about 10 percent of the power would come to New Hampshire; most would be going to Connecticut.

The CLF group has asked the DOE to produce a single Environmental Impact Statement which considers a number of projects around the region, including the Champlain-Hudson Power Express, which will go under water from Canada to New York City.

CLF was joined in this call by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, the Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust, The Appalachian Mountain Club, The North Country Council, the Coos Community Benefits Alliance, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and the Owl's Nest Resort & Golf Club.

Jack Savage, spokesman for the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, said it is clear by the Northern Pass response that “they are determined to try to build a transmission line where they want, when they want, and the cheapest way possible without regard for public opinion or long-term public interest.”

The groups have asked DOE for a response within a month. But Northern Pass officials want DOE to ignore them.

“Our view is that the existing approval process for The Northern Pass requires substantial review, at both the federal and state level, and is set up to fully consider the public interest. The attempt by CLF to change that in midstream threatens to delay, by years, the job creation, tax relief, and emission reductions that The Northern Pass offers,” a statement reads.

Christophe Courchesne, a staff attorney at CLF's Concord office, said Northern Pass officials are “misrepresenting the reason we filed the motion.”

“DOE is legally obligated to determine whether the Northern Pass proposal is in the public interest given its full context, including Hydro-Quebec's aggressive plans and all other related projects. That's why DOE must do a comprehensive regional assessment of the nature and extent of New Hampshire's and the region's need for Canadian imports and, if necessary, develop a plan to meet that need with as little impact as possible,” Courchesne said.

Northern Pass: PSNH disputes drop in value