STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE SITE EVALUATION COMMITTEE Docket No. 2015-04 Application of Public Service Company of New Hampshire d/b/a Eversource Energy for Certificate of Site and Facility DECISION AND ORDER GRANTING APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF SITE AND FACILITY January 31, 2019 TABLE OF CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................7 II. PROCEDURAL HISTORY ...............................................................................................7 III. APPLICATION .................................................................................................................11 IV. POSITIONS OF THE PARTIES .....................................................................................15 A. Applicant ....................................................................................................................15 B. Counsel for the Public ................................................................................................17 C. Intervenors ..................................................................................................................18 1. Conservation Law Foundation ..............................................................................18 2. Town of Durham ...................................................................................................18 3. Town of Newington ..............................................................................................19 4. Durham Historic Association ................................................................................20 5. Durham Residents .................................................................................................20 6. Individual Intervenors ...........................................................................................21 V. DELIBERATIONS ............................................................................................................22 A. The Subcommittee Deliberation Process ...................................................................22 B. State Agency Permits and Reports .............................................................................23 1. Wetlands Permit - Department of Environmental Services ..................................23 a. NHDES Review and Determination .................................................................23 b. Positions of the Parties .....................................................................................34 (1) Applicant ....................................................................................................34 1 (2) Counsel for the Public ................................................................................35 (3) Town of Durham ........................................................................................36 c. Deliberations .....................................................................................................37 2. Shoreland Protection Permit - Department of Environmental Services ...............40 a. Review and Final Decision ...............................................................................40 b. Deliberations ....................................................................................................42 3. Alteration of Terrain Permit - Department of Environmental Services Section 401 Water Quality Certificate .....................................................................................43 a. Review and Final Decision ...............................................................................43 b. Deliberations ....................................................................................................45 4. Department of Environmental Services - Additional Recommendations .............46 a. Positions of the Parties .....................................................................................48 (1) Applicant ....................................................................................................48 (2) Counsel for the Public ................................................................................53 (3) Town of Durham ........................................................................................55 b. Deliberations ....................................................................................................56 5. Historical Resources - Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, Division of Historical Resources .............................................................................................60 a. Review and Final Decision ...............................................................................60 b. Deliberations ....................................................................................................63 6. State Fire Marshal .................................................................................................64 7. Department of Transportation ...............................................................................64 a. Review ..............................................................................................................64 b. Deliberations ....................................................................................................68 8. Public Utilities Commission .................................................................................68 a. Review and Final Decision ...............................................................................68 b. Positions of the Parties .....................................................................................69 c. Deliberations .....................................................................................................70 (1) Disclosure of Concrete Mattresses to PUC ...............................................................70 (2) Governor and Executive Council Approval ...............................................71 (3) Conditions ..................................................................................................74 C. Applicant’s Financial, Technical and Managerial Capability ....................................75 1. Technical and Managerial Capability ...................................................................75 a. Positions of the Parties .....................................................................................76 (1) Applicant ....................................................................................................76 (2) Counsel for the Public ................................................................................79 (3) Town of Newington ...................................................................................79 2 (4) Individual Intervenors ................................................................................79 b. Deliberations ....................................................................................................81 2. Financial Capability ..............................................................................................83 a. Positions of the Parties .....................................................................................83 (1) Applicant ....................................................................................................83 (2) Counsel for the Public ................................................................................85 b. Deliberations ....................................................................................................85 D. Adverse Effects ..........................................................................................................86 1. Aesthetics ..............................................................................................................87 a. Positions of the Parties .....................................................................................89 (1) Applicant ....................................................................................................89 (2) Counsel for the Public ................................................................................98 (3) Town of Newington .................................................................................101 (4) Town of Durham ......................................................................................104 (5) University of New Hampshire..................................................................105 (6) Durham Historic Association ...................................................................105 (7) Conservation Law Foundation .................................................................105 (8) Individual Intervenors ..............................................................................106 b. Deliberations ..................................................................................................107 2. Historic Sites .......................................................................................................117 a. Positions of the Parties ...................................................................................118 (1) Applicant ..................................................................................................118 (2) Counsel for the Public ..............................................................................124 (3) Town of Newington .................................................................................131 (4) Town of Durham ......................................................................................131