President Wendy called the meeting to order at 6 pm and led us with the Pledge of Allegiance. Dan led us in prayer.

 

Special Guests: Bob Maloney, Steve Hoiberg, and guest speaker Will Abbott.

 

 

Heidi is holding a scholarship committee meeting at her office on Saturday/at 9 am.

 

Harry reminded the club of 6/22 Styrofoam recycling at the transfer station.

 

 

 

Featured Program: The Demise of Northern Pass

 

 

Guest Speaker: Will Abbott

 

Mr Will Abbott, a former Meredith Rotarian, has championed many worthy causes in New Hampshire. He's the vice president for Policy and land Management at the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests.

The Forest Society, established in 1901 and boasting a membership of over 10,000, is a significant force in New Hampshire's conservation efforts. It owns and manages an impressive 170 forest reservations, covering a vast 53,000 acres, and holds 700 conservation easements, safeguarding over 100,000 acres of NH land. The Society's mission is to ensure the perpetuation of NH forests through the wise use and preservation of places of exceptional scenic beauty.

In 2011, the Society faced a significant challenge: balancing maintaining the integrity of the natural landscape and meeting the growing energy demand. This was further complicated by the need to protect the public interest in conservation lands in a rapidly changing energy marketplace.

The Northern Pass Project challenged this mission. Eversource's Northern Pass invested $1.6 billion in 180 miles of new transmission lines in New Hampshire, requiring over 50 permits.

Canada's Hydro-Quebec corporation aimed to export its significant hydropower, from 8%, which produced 22% of its net income, to 12%, which would make 38% of its net income.

Thanks to our New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee, Northern Pass was denied a permit after two years of the NH SEC's fact-finding hearings, primarily because of the adverse impact the project would have had on New Hampshire communities.

The lessons learned?

• Clean energy must respect natural landscapes and conserved land.
• The regulatory landscape for siting is changing.
• RETAINING STATE PRIMACY IS KEY!

The meeting adjourned at 7:20 pm; President Wendy led us in the 4-Way pledge.