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By NANCY WEST
InDepthNH.org

EversourceNH president Bill Quinlan, Manchester Community College and IBEW electrical union representatives welcomed Gov. Chris Sununu to a regular lineworker training session Wednesday, according to an Eversource news release. The event was not posted on Sununu’s public schedule.

The visit, which was detailed in a press release Eversource issued late Wednesday afternoon, was not included in the daily schedule that Sununu makes public and sends to reporters.  Sununu, his spokesman and Eversource spokespeople did not return requests for comment on Wednesday evening. This story will be updated if they do respond.

Sununu, a Republican who strongly supports Northern Pass, has been criticized for refusing to meet with North Country people about the controversial project.

Eversource Energy is Northern Pass’s partner in the proposed $1.6 billion, 192-mile high-voltage transmission line that would bring Hydro-Quebec electricity from Pittsburg to Deerfield, then on to the New England grid.

According to Sununu’s public schedule for Wednesday that was sent to reporters on Tuesday, he was going to attend the Executive Council breakfast and regular Governor and Council meeting on Wednesday morning and meet with his new Governor’s Millennial Advisory Council in the evening.

But according to an Eversource press release, Sununu visited the electrical lineworker training program at the Manchester Community College some time during the day.

“Completing various exercises alongside students during a regular training session, the Governor, Eversource New Hampshire President Bill Quinlan, Senate President Chuck Morse and local legislators got an up-close look at how the program is preparing the next generation of lineworkers for careers in the electrical utility industry right in their own backyard,” the release said.

“We are excited to partner with MCC and the IBEW to offer what is proving to be a highly successful program,” Quinlan said in the release. “These two organizations share our vision of serving the people and needs of our state by developing and attracting highly-skilled workers that businesses need to grow and thrive here in New Hampshire. This is great news for the continued reliability of the electric system, as well as for our state’s economy.”

Eversource’ press release said the Electrical Lineworker Certificate Program is in its second year and offers “students hands-on, in-classroom learning at Manchester Community College and laboratory courses at local Eversource and IBEW training facilities.”

Sununu was the only candidate during the election to support Northern Pass and was criticized for accepting nearly $18,950 in campaign donations from Eversource and its employees. Eversource was a $25,000 donor to Sununu’s inauguration fund.

Quinlan was also listed as one of 44 hosts for a fundraiser May 4 at the Bedford Village Inn in which hosts were listed at $1,000 each and attendees at $500 a person.

At the time, Eversource spokesman Martin Murray told InDepthNH.org: “I’m certain that Bill is happy to support the governor in the same fashion as the dozens of other business leaders on the invitation.”

Murray added: “The Site Evaluation Committee process has been ongoing since 2015, when we filed our application. It is extremely comprehensive and transparent, and the governor is not a party to that process.”

The state Site Evaluation Committee, which consists of representatives from state agencies, had just started the adjudicative process at that point and has since been holding hearings in Concord. The hearings will continue Thursday and through the end of the year.

InDepthNH.org sent following email seeking comments to Gov. Sununu, Eversource spokespeople, Dr. Brian Bicknell, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Manchester Community College, a spokesman for the Granite State Power Link and the intervenors in the Northern Pass project:

 Hi all, I have a few questions about the news release below about Gov. Sununu’s unscheduled meeting with Eversource president Bill Quinlan, Senate President Chuck Morse,  Dr. Bicknell and students at MCC. (see below.)  Please respond to Nancy West at nancywestnews@gmail.com 

Who were the other legislators on this trip? When was it scheduled? Was there anything political behind it relative to Northern Pass? Does Eversource finance this course? Did everyone invited on the visit support Northern Pass as Gov. Sununu does?

Was Northern Pass mentioned during the visit among the guests or with the students? Does Manchester Community College support Northern Pass? How much do students pay? Was there something special going on today? Can you send me some photos? I am including the Media Advisory I received from Gov. Sununu about his schedule for today and it doesn’t include this visit to MCC.

Here is Gov. Sununu’s MEDIA ADVISORY for Wednesday, September 27

For Immediate Release: September 26, 2017
Contact: Ben Vihstadt
benjamin.vihstadt@nh.gov 603-271-2121

Concord, NH – Please see below for Governor Chris Sununu’s public schedule for Wednesday, September 27.

8:00 AM
Executive Council BreakfastAnheuser-Busch Brewery, Biergarten

221 Daniel Webster Highway

Merrimack, NH

PRESS: OPEN

Note: The Council breakfast will include a tour of the Anheuser-Busch Brewery and meeting the Clydesdale horses.

10:00 AM

Governor and Council Meeting

Merrimack Town Hall

6 Baboosic Lake Road

Merrimack, NH

PRESS: OPEN

6:00 PM

Attends Governor’s Millennial Advisory Council Meeting

State House, Executive Council Chambers

107 North Main Street

Concord, NH

PRESS: OPEN

Eversource Energy News Release Wednesday, Sept. 27

News Release Governor Sununu Visits Electrical Lineworker Program Unique partnership is addressing the state’s workforce needs MANCHESTER, N.H. (September 27, 2017) – Eversource, Manchester Community College (MCC), and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local Unions 104 and 1837 today welcomed Governor Chris Sununu for a visit with students enrolled in the Electrical Lineworker Certificate Program at MCC. Completing various exercises alongside students during a regular training session, the Governor, Eversource New Hampshire President Bill Quinlan, Senate President Chuck Morse and local legislators got an up-close look at how the program is preparing the next generation of lineworkers for careers in the electrical utility industry right in their own backyard. “We are excited to partner with MCC and the IBEW to offer what is proving to be a highly successful program,” Quinlan said. “These two organizations share our vision of serving the people and needs of our state by developing and attracting highly-skilled workers that businesses need to grow and thrive here in New Hampshire. This is great news for the continued reliability of the electric system, as well as for our state’s economy.” Now in its second year, the Electrical Lineworker Certificate Program offers students hands-on, in-classroom learning at Manchester Community College and laboratory courses at local Eversource and IBEW training facilities. Students complete extensive course work, including electrical theory, basic math, communications, CPR, and safety. Additionally, students learn how to use equipment and tools to safely complete electric overhead and underground construction. During curriculum breaks, students complete a paid internship with Eversource or an IBEW contractor, preparing for employment in a variety of electrical fields, with an emphasis on electrical lineworker responsibilities and tasks. “Partnering with area businesses to meet specific employment and training needs is crucial to MCC’s mission to foster the economic vibrancy of our region,” says Dr. Brian Bicknell, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Manchester Community College. About Manchester Community College: Manchester Community College is part of the Community College System of New Hampshire, and offers more than 60 associate degree and certificate programs for transfer and career training. Associate degree programs include allied health, automotive technologies, business studies, computer science, education, electrical technology, HVAC, liberal arts and welding. MCC also offers professional and workforce development, and customized corporate training. For more information, visit  www.mccnh.edu. About the IBEW: The IBEW represents approximately 750,000 active members and retirees who work in a wide variety of fields, including utilities, construction, telecommunications, broadcasting, manufacturing, railroads and government.  The IBEW has members in both the United States and Canada and stands out among the American unions in the AFL-CIO because it is among the largest and has members in so many skilled occupations. As union members, we bargain collectively with our employers over wages, benefits, and rights. Most of us have very limited bargaining power as one person, but as a group, we are strong. And, with a good negotiated contract, we have legal protections we would not have otherwise. About Eversource NH: Eversource (NYSE: ES) is New Hampshire’s largest electric utility, serving more than 500,000 homes and businesses in 211 cities and towns and is proud to be recognized as the top contributor to United Way in New Hampshire. Recognized as the top U.S. utility for its energy efficiency programs by the sustainability advocacy organization Ceres, Eversource harnesses the commitment of its approximately 8,000 employees across three states to build a single, united company around the mission of safely delivering reliable energy and superior customer service. For more information, please visit our website (www.eversource.com) and follow us on Twitter (@eversourceNH) and Facebook (facebook.com/EversourceNH ).