Climate Panel Flags Eversource Tree-Clearing Proposal

Climate Change Committee · Meeting of October 8, 2026

Hadley's Climate Change Committee flagged Eversource Energy's plan to nearly double a regional transmission corridor and heard updates on state energy legislation and local grants. Member Marian Parker said Eversource's draft impact report would permanently alter about 278 acres along the 29.3-mile WT11 corridor through 11 towns, widening it from 125-335 feet to as much as 252-576 feet, and said "it doesn't really make sense" given the project mainly saves the utility money. Legislative aide Omar Gomez said a pending state bill, H5151, could cut Mass Save funding by $500 million to $1 billion depending on House-Senate negotiations.

Green Communities coordinator Zach Jenkins said Hadley must close out its designation grant by February 12 to qualify for a 2027 competitive grant capped at $250,000. The committee approved September's minutes and adjourned, both unanimously.

In the full story:

• Legislative Update: State Energy Bill H5151
• Green Communities Grant and Competitive Grant Planning
• Eversource WT11 Transmission Corridor Concerns
• Cooler Communities Grant and School Composting Program
• Landfill Solar Project
• Administrative Matters
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,845 words

Source: the Climate Change Committee meeting of October 8, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.