Learn about the proposed Eversource transmission line projects in Winchester
WINCHESTER
Eversource has proposed two underground transmission line projects that would run through Winchester to connect the Woburn substation to substations in Wakefield and Everett.
The Woburn to Wakefield Line Project calls for a 345-kilovolt line that would run 8.5 miles through Woburn. The Mystic to Woburn Line Project is smaller, calling for a 115-kilovolt underground transmission line that would wind 7.2 miles through Boston, Somerville and Medford and 2.3 miles through Winchester.
ISO-NE, which is responsible for the operation of New England’s electric power generation and transmission system, has said the projects will help maintain the reliability of the regional power grid. If approved, Eversource officials said they would begin construction in 2017.
According to a letter state Rep. Michael Day, D-Stoneham, sent to ISO-NE, the Eversource projects were first considered as early as 2010. In July 2015, after ISO-NE approved the project routes through Winchester, Day and state Sen. Jason Lewis, D-Winchester, requested the assistance of Stephanie Pollack, secretary and CEO of the state Department of Transportation, to reroute the proposed routes. There were public hearings in Stoneham Nov. 18. and Winchester Jan. 27, with another one scheduled for Winchester Feb. 11.
In March, the proposed project routes are expected to go before the Energy Facilities Siting Board, a nine-person independent review board that is part of the Department of Public Utilities. The EFSB can approve or deny the project, or approve the project with conditions.
