New proposal would energize communities in Vermont, New Hampshire [Video]

A PROPOSAL IN CONGRESS — SPEARHEADED BY LAWMAKERS FROM OUR REGION — AIMS TO ENCOURAGE COMMUNITIES NATIONWIDE TO HOST GREEN ENERGY TRANSMISSION LINES. SENATOR PETER WELCH OF VERMONT AND REPRESENTATIVE ANNIE KUSTER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE BACK THE “ENERGIZING OUR COMMUNITIES ACT.” IT WOULD DIRECT FUNDS FROM INTEREST COLLECTED ON CERTAIN FEDERAL LOAN PROGRAMS TO CITIES AND TOWNS THAT HOST CLEANER ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE — INCLUDING TRANSMISSION LINES. THE COMMUNITIES COULD USE THAT MONEY FOR PUBLIC PROJECTS LIKE ROADS OR BRIDGES — WHILE SUPPORTING CLIMATE GOALS THROUGH EXPANDING CLEAN ENERGY GENERATION FROM SOURCES LIKE WIND AND SOLAR. <IT’S AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THAT TO DO THE TRANSMISSION THAT IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL, WE ALSO HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE ARE IMPACTS ON COMMUNITIES THAT ARE HOSTING A TRANSMISSION LINE AND WE WANT TO GIVE THEM A TOOL — A FINANCIAL TOOL — SO THAT THEY CAN TAKE STEPS THAT THEY DECIDE TO TAKE THAT WILL …