On Feb. 4, TDI New England announced that the United States Army Corps of Engineers issued a federally-required Department of Army permit to the New England Clean Power Link, allowing it to be placed in the waters of the United States along its proposed route.
TDI New England plans to build a 1,000-megawatt transmission line under Lake Champlain from Canada to Ludlow that will feed the southern New England power grid.
TDI New England CEO Donald Jessome said, “We are extremely pleased that the Army Corps has issued this significant federal permit necessary for our project to move closer to construction. The terms and conditions of the permit are fully compatible with our project plans, which are minimally invasive and designed to respect the environment.”
Jessome continued, “The New England market needs new sources of lower-cost, clean power and that is why we strongly support legislation proposed by Massachusetts Governor Baker that would import significant amounts of clean power into the state. With the looming retirement of several large generators, and aggressive carbon-reduction goals, the New England Clean Power Link can help meet regional energy needs and deliver economic and environmental benefits to the residents and businesses of the New England region.”
A recent update of the Massachusetts Clean Energy and Climate Plan (CECP) for 2020 concluded that the state is on course to meet its obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the end of the decade, but a significant portion of those reductions rely on the procurement of low-carbon hydroelectric power or other renewable energy.
In addition to the Army Corps permit, the Clean Power Link received a Certificate of Public Good, Vermont’s comprehensive state siting and environmental regulatory approval, from the Vermont Public Service Board in early January, 2016.
TDI New England anticipates construction of the Clean Power Link to begin in spring 2017 although pre-construction activities will likely begin in 2016. Commercial operation of the project is expected to begin in 2019.
