DE 98-020

                   NEW HAMPSHIRE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.

                Petition for License to Construct and Maintain
      Electric Lines Across Public Waters of Lake Winnepesaukee in the
             towns of Moultonboro and Tuftonboro, New Hampshire

                      Order Nisi Granting License for 
                     Electric Lines Across Public Waters

                            O R D E R  N O. 22,932
                                       
                                 May 13, 1998
                                       
  On February 25, 1998, New Hampshire Electric
Cooperative (NHEC) filed with the New Hampshire Public Utilities
Commission (Commission) a petition pursuant to RSA 371:17 to
construct and maintain a new radial, 7200 Volt, submarine cable
(extension) across Lake Winnepesaukee within the towns of
Moultonboro and Tuftonboro, New Hampshire.  The proposed
extension will provide substantial voltage support to and will
greatly enhance reliability for Devens Island and The Little Bear
Islands.
  This line will be served from pole #150/11.4 located on
Long Island, Moultonboro, NH and will terminate at pole #173/66
located on Devens Island, Tuftonboro, NH.  No new easements will
be required for this job because it will be constructed within an
existing easement.  Pole #150/11.4 is located within the public
Right Of Way of the Long Island Road.  
  NHEC stated in a letter dated July 10, 1997 that the
New Hampshire Department of Transportation has been notified of
this project and, as required by state statute, a petition for
buried cable will be submitted following construction.  The
access to the termination pole, #173/66, located on Devens Island
is covered by an existing easement acquired for a cable crossing
to Little Bear Island.  The owner of Devens Island has been
notified of the proposed submarine cable, as required by the New
Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.
  NHEC has stated that the use and enjoyment by the
public of Lake Winnepesaukee will not be diminished in any way as
a result of the proposed radial submarine cable.  NHEC has
attested and Staff agrees that the construction of the crossing
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 waters contained in RSA 371:17
includes "all ponds of more than ten acres, tidewater bodies, and
such streams or portions thereof as the Commission may
prescribe."  The Commission prescribes this crossing to be across
public waters.
  The Commission finds such a crossing necessary for NHEC
to meet its obligation to provide reliable electric service
within its authorized franchise area.  Accordingly, we find that
the crossing is in the public good.  Therefore, we will approve
the petition on a Nisi basis in order to provide any interested
party the opportunity to submit comments on said petition or to
request a hearing.
  Based upon the foregoing, it is hereby
  ORDERED NISI, that NHEC is authorized, pursuant to RSA
371:17, et seq., to construct and maintain a radial submarine
cable across Lake Winnepesaukee in the towns of Moultonboro and
Tuftonboro, New Hampshire as well as associated plant depicted in
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 Towns
of Moultonboro and Tuftonboro, New Hampshire, such publication to
be no later than May 20, 1998 and to be documented by affidavit
filed with this office on or before May 27, 1998; and it is
  FURTHER ORDERED, that NHEC notify the Town of
Moultonboro and Tuftonboro, New Hampshire 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 May 27, 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 June 3, 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 June 10, 1998; and it is
  FURTHER ORDERED, that this Order Nisi shall be
effective June 12, 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 thirteenth day of May, 1998.

                                                               
  Douglas L. Patch      Bruce B. Ellsworth     Susan S. Geiger
      Chairman             Commissioner          Commissioner



Attested by:


                                
Thomas B. Getz
Executive Director and Secretary