Dive Brief:
- ISO New England granted a key regulatory approval to the Northern Pass transmission project, slated to deliver hydroelectric power from Canada into New Hampshire.
- Earlier in December, the New England Power Pool Reliability Committee, which advises ISO New England, declined to support the $1.4 billion transmission project because it could harm existing power plants in New England.
- Northeast Utilities, which is developing the Northern Pass project with Hydro Quebec, aims to have the transmission line operating in 2017.
Dive Insight:
The Northern Pass project faces additional hurdles, like getting a Presidential Permit from the Department of Energy, but getting approval from the New England ISO is a key step in developing the project. If built, the line would allow for about 1,200 MW to be imported from Canada. In September, the New England Power Generators Association urged DOE to reject a permit for the project.