The Energy Facility Siting Board will hold a public hearing on Oct. 23 to discuss Narragansett Electric Company’s plan to rebuild a 7.9-mile section of two main transmission lines that run through Portsmouth and Tiverton.
The hearing will take place at 6 p.m. at Portsmouth Town Hall.
The lines, L14 and M13, are 115 kilovolt lines that run from Canonicus Street in Tiverton to the Dexter Substation off Freeborn Street in Portsmouth. The project is intended to improve the lines’ condition and performance, according to a press release from the town.
The work will involve replacing 193 structures, rebuilding and reconductoring the lines, replacing the existing overhead shield wire with a new overhead optical ground wire and restoring and stabilizing the affected areas within the right-of-way.
The company maintains that the project will have a negligible impact on the natural and social environment and, as such, does not constitute an alteration to a major energy facility and should not be subject to the full Energy Facility Siting Board permitting process. The board will make a determination after the public hearing.
Detailed images of the proposed project route are available on the docket page for the project at https://ripuc.ri.gov/Docket-SB-2024-04.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT HEARING
Pursuant to the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-98-7 and 42-98-9.1 and Rule 1.6(F) of the Energy Facility Siting Board’s (“Board”) Rules of Practice and Procedure, the Board will conduct a public hearing at 6 pm on October 23, 2024 at the Council Chambers, Portsmouth Town Hall, 2200 East Main Road, Portsmouth, Rhode Island 02871.
At the hearing, the Board will hear public comment on Docket No. SB-2024-04 regarding The Narragansett Electric Company’s (“Company”) Notice of Intent Application for the proposed rebuild of the L14 and M13 115 kV Mainline transmission lines (“Lines”). Specifically, the Company is proposing to rebuild an approximately 7.9 mile section of the Lines extending south from Canonicus Street in Tiverton to the existing Dexter Substation located off of Freeborn Street in Portsmouth (the “Project”). The Company states that the Project is needed to improve the condition and performance of the Lines, and all work will occur within the existing right-of-way. The Project components include: rebuilding and reconductoring the existing Lines (a distance of approximately 7.9 miles); replacing 193 structures; replacing existing overhead shield wire with new overhead Optical Ground Wire; and restoring and stabilizing the affected areas within the right-of-way. Detailed images of the proposed Project route (including adjacent properties) can be found in “Siting Report – Volume II” available on the docket page at: https://ripuc.ri.gov/Docket-SB-2024- 04. The Company maintains that any impact the proposed Project may have on the natural and/or social environment will be negligible. Therefore, the Company requests the Board determine that the Project does not constitute an alteration to a major energy facility and that it is not subject to the full EFSB permitting process.
Section 1.6(G) of the Board’s Rules of Practice and Procedure provides that the Board shall “hold a public hearing in one or more of the cities or towns affected by an application…” After the public comment hearing, the Board shall “determine whether the project may result in a significant impact on the environment or the public health, safety and welfare and therefore shall be treated as an alteration,” per Section 1.6(H). The Board will conduct a public comment hearing in Portsmouth and welcomes the participation of its residents.
All of the materials filed in this proceeding are on file and available for public review at the Board office located within the Public Utilities Commission office building at 89 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, Rhode Island. The materials are also available online at: https://ripuc.ri.gov/Docket-SB-2024-04.
The Portsmouth Town Hall is accessible. Requests for interpreter services for the hearing impaired must be made to the Coordinator at 89 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, 401-780-2108, Kristen.L.Masse@puc.ri.gov at least 72 hours in advance of the hearing.
Kristen Masse, Coordinator
Energy Facility Siting Board
September 26, 2024
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