Eversource Plans Clearcutting Through Eleven Towns Including Amherst

Eversource has proposed 278 acres of tree cutting, and the plan they have filed with the state is now open for public comment. The 29.3-mile project corridor runs through Northfield, Erving, Wendell, Montague, Leverett, Shutesbury, Pelham, Belchertown, Amherst, Granby, and Ludlow. Eversource’s right-of-way is wider than the currently-cleared 125-335 feet, and they propose to clear more of it, to an average width of 250-500 feet, citing the need to protect the grid.

Eversource previously proposed a version of this project in 2022, when they hoped to pursue approval via an abbreviated process. That version drew over 339 comment letters, as the Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) certificate noted, which “expressed concern for endangered species and wildlife habitat, sensitive wetland areas including drinking water supplies and cold water fisheries, and the future use of herbicides on the newly cut areas… [as well as for] protected open spaces.” In light of significant project impacts, the EEA directed Eversource to proceed through the full Environmental Impact Report process rather than an abbreviated one. Eversource is doing so, and the version that is now open for public comment is Eversource’s Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR).

Protecting the grid is critically important given the “increasing severity of storms” noted in Eversource’s DEIR. In the prior phase, many of the public comments acknowledged that goal, while calling on Eversource to accomplish it via selective management: pruning, topping, or cutting trees that pose an emerging risk to wires, while preserving trees that do not. As directed by the EEA certificate, Eversource’s DEIR replies directly to these comments. In those replies, Eversource reinterprets what “selective management” means, stating that they’re practicing it by eliminating six acres from their plan, where they determined that there is no reason to cut. They don’t acknowledge the possibility of selective management within the remaining 278 acres. 

Eversource’s cutting maps (downloadable here), which previously had color-coded crosshatching for “Tree removal,” “Selective tree removal,” and “Pruning,” now have only “Proposed tree clearing” in place of those prior categories. Their alternatives analysis excludes selective management as well. Eversource explains that “it is often difficult to avoid/protect compatible [trees]… that are interspersed with incompatible” ones.” However, it is not stated why such an attempt would not be made, with the understanding that it would only partly succeed. Eversource points to federal standards as driving their approach, and those standards do recommend practicing vegetation management across the full width of utilities’ ROWs. However, the standards don’t specify non-selective management, leaving implementation approach up to transmission line owners.

A recently-formed citizen’s group, Responsible Grid, argues that Eversource’s “plan does not show due care in distinguishing between trees that pose a risk to powerlines and those that do not.” Responsible Grid is in favor of selective management – across the whole project if feasible, and otherwise in sensitive areas such as wetlands, riverfront, and/or state-designated Priority Habitat for rare species. Their website, bit.ly/ResponsibleGrid, includes a project summary, links to Eversource’s DEIR documents, detailed positions, and a sample public comment.

Public comments can be submitted now, and until November 21st, to Jennifer.Hughes@mass.gov. Emails should use the subject line: “EEA#16570 WT-11 Transmission Right-of-Way Reliability Project,” and they should include the commenter’s name, address, and contact information.