Central-Western MA Energy Project

EFSB 25-01/D.P.U. 25-16: A Petition filed pursuant to G.L. c. 164, § 72 (“Section 72 Petition”) by New England Power Company d/b/a National Grid (the “Company”). The petition is in connection with the Company’s proposal to construct, operate and maintain overhead transmission lines and associated tap lines in Millbury, Auburn, Leicester, Spencer, East Brookfield, North Brookfield, West Brookfield, Ware, Belchertown, Pelham, Shutesbury, Leverett, Sunderland, Deerfield, Conway, Shelburne and Buckland that will replace the existing transmission lines and tap lines in the same rights-of-way. The Company also plans to remove the existing transmission lines, and to construct, reestablish and improve access routes. This work is referred to herein as the “Central to Western Massachusetts Energy Improvement Project” or the “Project.” Also, on this date, the Company is filing with the Energy Facilities Siting Board (the “Siting Board”) a petition for approval to construct, operate and maintain the Project under G.L. c. 164, § 69J (the “Section 69J Petition”), which has been docketed as EFSB 25-01. The Section 69J Petition, in combination with the Section 72 Petition, demonstrates that, consistent with G.L.c. 164 § 72, the Project is needed, will serve the public convenience, and is consistent with the public interest.

Project Information

Pursuant to G.L. c. 164, §§ 69J and 72, New England Power Company d/b/a National Grid (“National Grid” or the “Company”), located at 170 Data Drive, Waltham, Massachusetts, 02451, has filed two related petitions with the Energy Facilities Siting Board (“Siting Board”) and the Department of Public Utilities (“Department”) in connection with its proposal to replace two existing overhead transmission lines and three associated tap lines and the structures holding them up (Existing Lines”) with new overhead transmission lines, tap lines and structures (the “Rebuilt Lines”) in an existing transmission corridor in Millbury, Auburn, Leicester, Spencer, East Brookfield, North Brookfield, West Brookfield, Ware, Belchertown, Pelham, Shutesbury, Leverett, Sunderland, Deerfield, Conway, Shelburne and Buckland, Massachusetts (the “Project”). The Rebuilt Lines would continue to operate at 69 kilovolts (“kV”), but be capable of operating at 115 kV, if needed.

Project Filing with EFSB

• Company's Section 72 Petition
• Company's 69J Petition
• Application to Support 69J Petition Volume 1
  • Resident Outreach Information
  • Information on Project Need
  • Information on Project Alternatives
  • Route Selection Process
  • Construction Description
  • Description of Environmental Impacts
    • Potential Air Impacts
  • Description of Cost Impact of Project
  • Environmental Justice Considerations
  • Company Position on Global Warming Solutions Act Compliance
  • Route Map Overview 

All documents related filed in relation to a proceeding are posted to the DPU Fileroom.  The Fileroom page for a proceeding represents the official record for that proceeding. The public can access the Fileroom page for this proceeding at the following link:

           EFSB 25-01 in the DPU Docket Fileroom 

Useful Information

EFSB and DPU Siting Process

EFSB Siting and Permitting Reform Updates

For more detailed information on the Siting process:  Energy Facilities Siting Board Handbook (updated 2019) | Guía para fijar la ubicación de instalaciones energéticas (2019)

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Contact

Department of Public Utilities Siting Division

Phone

EFSB/DPU Siting Division Call Department of Public Utilities Siting Division, EFSB/DPU Siting Division at [phone]

DPU Main Call Department of Public Utilities Siting Division, DPU Main at [phone]

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