Manchester waiting to become intervenor on gas pipeline project

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A map of the projected Granite Bridge pipeline route./Courtesy

MANCHESTER, NH – While the town of Epping has applied to be an intervenor in the Liberty Utilities Granite Bridge gas pipeline proposal, Manchester has yet not done so. The pipeline would be installed 732 feet (a little over a tenth of a mile) from Manchester’s water source, Lake Massabesic.

The state Public Utilities Commission (PUC) began the approval process with a prehearing conference about the energy proposal in March.

“Lowering energy costs for our residents and businesses is critical to the continued growth of Manchester’s economy, but any large energy infrastructure project like the Granite Bridge proposal needs to be rigorously scrutinized by the NH Public Utilities Commission and the NH Site Evaluation Committee,” said Mayor Joyce Craig. “Even though Manchester has not filed as an intervenor at this point, we are watching the proceedings closely and if the need arises for the City to intervene, I will bring this issue before the Board of Mayor and Aldermen for a vote.”

Liberty Utilities, a national energy company also known as EnergyNorth, is proposing a 16-inch-wide, steel, underground natural gas pipeline, to be installed in the state right-of-way for Route 101 and run 27 miles from Stratham to Manchester, passing through Brentwood, Epping, Raymond, Candia, and Auburn. The $340-million proposal includes a liquid natural gas (LNG) storage tank on a 15-acre site on an abandoned quarry in Epping, which is adjacent to Route 101.

For background information, see “A look at Liberty Utilities proposed underground gas pipeline.”

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