** The proposed Twin States Clean Energy Link project will run through New Hampshire and Vermont.**

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) announced with U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and U.S. Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) that New England’s Twin States Clean Energy Link project (Twin States) is one of three transmission line infrastructure projects selected for participation in the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Transmission Facilitation Program. Twin States is a proposed renewable energy transmission project designed to deliver less expensive Canadian hydropower to all New England. This project will bolster regional climate objectives, expand the availability of cost-effective energy and create job opportunities during construction and operations across New England. Earlier this year, the New Hampshire congressional delegation sent a letter of support regarding the Twin States project to U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm. Funding for this project comes from the bipartisan infrastructure law, which Shaheen and Hassan helped negotiate.

“Bolstering clean energy in the Northeast is vital to addressing high electricity costs, and it’s important we invest in projects that deliver clean power,” said Senator Shaheen. “The Twin States Clean Energy Link has the potential to meet those expectations while also contributing to economic development and emissions reductions in the region. I’m proud that two years after I helped negotiate the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, this legislation continues to deliver landmark investments in our state’s core infrastructure needs.”

“The bipartisan infrastructure law, which helped make the Twin States Clean Energy Link possible, is transforming the development of our clean energy economy and helping families lower their energy bills,” said Senator Hassan. “This project will help advance our clean energy future, and the reduced emissions and energy independence it will provide will pay dividends for generations to come.”

“The U.S. needs to triple its transmission capacity by 2050 to meet our clean energy goals, and this project will position New Hampshire at the forefront of making that a reality,” said Congresswoman Kuster. “Not only will the Twin States project help us build a sustainable, clean energy future, it will also bring in-demand, good-paying jobs to our state, lower energy costs, and provide Granite Staters with the skills they need to compete in the workforce of the future and thrive.”

“With today’s announcement it’s clear that the bipartisan infrastructure law continues to deliver for New Hampshire, creating hundreds of new clean energy jobs while making crucial improvements to our energy infrastructure,” said Congressman Pappas. “This landmark investment will improve grid capacity ensuring Granite Staters have power when it’s needed most, allowing our state to connect more clean power and drive down costs.”

Twin States aims to construct a 1,200 MW high-voltage direct current (HVDC) bidirectional line between New England and Québec, Canada, to bring clean power from Canada into New England’s grid. In addition to importing clean power from Canada, the bidirectional design of Twin States will allow exports of surplus clean power from New England to Canada as New England develops more renewable energy generation, including through offshore wind. Construction is expected to start in Q3 or Q4 of calendar year 2026.  The DOE’s National Transmission Needs Study predicts the Northeast region will need 1.5 GW of new transfer capacity with its neighbors; Twin States will contribute 79% to this interregional need.

The Transmission Facilitation Program is a $2.5 billion revolving fund to help overcome the financial hurdles associated with building new, large-scale transmission lines, upgrading existing transmission lines and connecting microgrids. Today, DOE announced that it is entering into capacity contract negotiations for up to $1.3 billion with three interregional transmission line projects, including Twin States, that will strengthen grid resilience and reliability, enable the addition of more clean energy resources to the grid, and bring diverse, clean energy to more customers. Through capacity contracts, DOE will commit to purchasing a percentage of the total proposed capacity of the eligible transmission line. By offering capacity contracts, DOE increases the confidence of additional investors, encourages additional customers to purchase transmission line capacity, and reduces the overall risk for project developers.

The Transmission Facilitation Program is funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (also known as the bipartisan infrastructure law), which Shaheen and Hassan helped negotiate and the New Hampshire congressional delegation supported.

Shaheen and Hassan helped negotiate the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which provides a $550 billion investment in our nation’s core infrastructure priorities – including roads and bridges, rail, transit, ports, airports, the electric grid, water systems and broadband. Shaheen leads legislative action in the Senate to deliver energy infrastructure investments, particularly for clean energy and energy efficiency projects. Shaheen successfully included key provisions of her energy efficiency bill – the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act (ESIC) – with former Senator Rob Portman (R-OH). She also included the Smart Manufacturing Leadership Act, the Promoting American Energy Jobs Act and the Heat Efficiency through Applied Technology (HEAT) Act. Earlier this month, the New Hampshire delegation announced nearly $7 million in IIJA funds to help modernize the state’s power grid.

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