Update from Susan Iuliano, June 23, 2016

The Sudbury Board of Selectmen takes very seriously the threat that the Eversource Sudbury to Transmission Reliability Project poses to our community. In recent weeks we’ve been active in raising awareness of the project’s risks, voicing our opposition to it, and seeking input and intervention from key stakeholders.

In a recent letter to Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton, the Board outlined its deep concerns about Eversource’s plan to clear cut 82-foot wide swaths of protected forest conservation land and use herbicides to prevent trees, foliage and other plants from growing back.

To date, Eversource has failed to provide adequate information about the specific herbicides it would use for the project. We’ve requested intervention by the state department of Energy and Environmental Affairs and ask that they consider delaying the Eversource project – particularly until further study and analysis can be done to understand the health and environmental risks associated with the use of herbicides.

In addition, we’ve requested that state lawmakers join our opposition to the Eversource project. In a letter to state Representative Thomas Golden and Senator Benjamin Downing, the town of Sudbury has urged both legislators to support House Bill 4357, which would expand the scope of consideration when it comes to approving reliability projects.

This means that the severe burdens these projects place on communities like ours will be considered, in addition to the benefits they create. We hope factors like quality of life, public health and safety, the environment and the exorbitant costs to Sudbury will be taken into account, just as Eversource’s desire to pursue the cheapest option is being considered.

The Board of Selectmen is also continuing outreach to a variety of state and federal stakeholders who have a role in determining whether the Eversource Sudbury to Transmission Reliability Project will move forward, and in what form it would take.

We know that Eversource’s plan to construct high voltage transmission lines through Sudbury presents a number of health, safety, environmental and economic concerns for residents, businesses and all of us who care about our community. We share your concerns and are working closely with Protect Sudbury on legal strategy and other measures. We will continue to work with our counsel, consultants and stakeholders to ensure we are pursuing a comprehensive strategy that features every avenue available to protect our community.