Contact: Barbara Riley
Friday, August 22, 2008

MANCHESTER, NH – United States Senator John Sununu (R-NH) today (8/22) announced his appointment of Plymouth State University Executive Director of University Relations Stephen Barba to sit on the newly-formed state commission that is working to develop a plan for the expansion of power transmission in the North Country.

“Steve Barba’s extensive business background, including his many years running The Balsams,  and knowledge of the North Country will serve this panel well as it examines opportunities to expand the ability to transmit power from this region of the state,” said Sununu.  “The North Country holds enormous potential to generate renewable energy, and this panel will take a look at the existing transmission infrastructure and formulate a plan on whether upgrades or replacement is needed. Bringing locally-produced power onto the grid is in everyone’s best interest as we work to improve the nation’s independence from foreign energy imports.”

New Hampshire State Senate Bill 383 called for the formation of the commission and allows each Member of the Congressional delegation to appoint one, non-voting member to the Commission. The commission will meet on a monthly basis and will report its findings or recommendations for proposed legislation to the president of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Senate Clerk, the House Clerk, the Governor, and the state library on or before December 1, 2008.

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