DE 97-261
NEW HAMPSHIRE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Petition for License to Relocate Existing
Electric Lines Over and Across Public Lands
in the Town of Ossipee, New Hampshire
Order Nisi Granting License for Electric Lines Over Public Lands
O R D E R N O. 22,855
February 18, 1998
On December 11, 1997, the New Hampshire Electric
Cooperative, Inc. (NHEC) filed with the New Hampshire Public
Utilities Commission (Commission) a petition pursuant to RSA
371:17 to relocate a section of electric line currently located
along Route 16 in Ossipee, New Hampshire to an adjacent location
on public lands. NHEC is relocating this section of electric
lines based on a request from the New Hampshire Department of
Transportation (NHDOT), which is performing road work in the area
and requires NHEC to move its facilities to another location.
This relocation requires placing two anchors and
performing right-of-way trimming in the Pine River State Forest.
Construction will be done in upland areas and will have no impact
on the surrounding waters. As such, no permit is required from
the Department of Environmental Services' Wetlands Board. Finally, NHEC has attested and Staff agrees that the
construction will meet or exceed the requirements of the 1997
National Electrical Safety Code as well as all other applicable
safety standards.
The definition of public lands pursuant to RSA 371:17
includes "any of the land owned by this state." Accordingly,
construction across the Pine River State Forest requires our
approval. Based on the evidence presented, we find the requested
crossing of state land necessary for NHEC to meet its obligation
to provide reliable electric service within its authorized
franchise area, thus being in the public good.
We will approve the crossing Nisi and will afford an
opportunity for interested persons to comment on the petition and
this order.
Based upon the foregoing, it is hereby
ORDERED NISI, that NHEC is authorized, pursuant to RSA
371:17, et seq., to relocate a section of electric line along
Route 16 in Ossipee, New Hampshire. Two anchors may be placed
and right-of-way tree trimming may be performed on the public
lands of Pine River State Forest in the area depicted on drawing
sheets (8 of 9) and (9 of 9) and other documentation on file with
this Commission unless the Commission directs otherwise prior to
the proposed effective date; and it is
FURTHER ORDERED, that all reconstruction hereafter
performed conform to the requirements of the National Electrical
Safety Code and all other applicable safety standards in
existence at that time; and it is
FURTHER ORDERED, that pursuant to N.H. Admin. Rules,
Puc 1601.05, NHEC shall cause a copy of this Order Nisi to be
published once in a newspaper of general circulation in the Town
of Ossipee, such publication to be no later than February 25,
1998 and to be documented by affidavit filed with this office on
or before March 4, 1998; and it is
FURTHER ORDERED, that NHEC notify the Town of Ossipee
of this matter by serving a copy of this order on the Town Clerk
by First Class U.S. Mail, said notification to be verified by
affidavit filed on or before March 4, 1998; and it is
FURTHER ORDERED, that all persons interested in
responding to this petition be notified that they may submit
their comments or file a written request for a hearing on this
matter before the Commission no later than March 11, 1998; and it
is
FURTHER ORDERED, that any party interested in
responding to such comments or request for hearing shall do so no
later than March 18, 1998; and it is FURTHER ORDERED, that this Order Nisi shall be
effective March 20, 1998, unless the Commission provides
otherwise in a supplemental order issued prior to the effective
date.
By order of the Public Utilities Commission of New
Hampshire this eighteenth day of February, 1998.
Douglas L. Patch Bruce B. Ellsworth Susan S. Geiger
Chairman Commissioner Commissioner
Attested by:
Thomas B. Getz
Executive Director and Secretary