N.E. governors talk hydropower with Canadian officials
Describing New England as a region "looking for megawatts and a lot of them," Gov. Charlie Baker on Monday expressed confidence during a conference in Canada about being able to overcome environmental concerns to bring hydroelectricity into the region.
Baker was in Newfoundland for a two-day gathering of New England governors and eastern Canadian premiers. He met privately with Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard and with other governors and U.S. Energy Information Administrator Adam Sieminski to discuss energy priorities.
Baker joined his fellow government executives for a press conference in the afternoon where much of the discussion focused on importing Canadian hydroelectric power to the New England states, an effort that would require building new transmission lines through wilderness in the northern states.
"My interest in Canadian hydro goes back a number of years, primarily because I see it as a very unique and significant way to deal with both greenhouse gas and to deal with our competitive position as a region," Baker told reporters at a press conference that was available remotely via conference call.
While the proposal by Hartford-based Eversource Energy to build transmission lines through parts of the White Mountains has encountered stiff local opposition, New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan said she was "very encouraged" by the company's revised Northern Pass plans that would bury an additional 52 miles of cable under existing roads.
Baker said he was hopeful that in the next "several years" the states and provinces would be able to find a solution to marry the electricity capacity in Canada with the demand in New England without jeopardizing natural resources at price that's beneficial for consumers.
"I do believe all of us are rowing in the same direction," Baker said.
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