An Example Of The Enormus Influence With The Electric Utilities In The USA

This goes to the example with how powerful and well connected the large utilities are. They are a enormous influence in our political system.

Typically the Democratic governors in NH are moderate Republicans!

Utility giant among top sponsors of Hassan’s inaugural ball

By KATHLEEN RONAYNE

Associated Press

Saturday, January 10, 2015
(Published in print: Saturday, January 10, 2015)

Utility giant Public Service of New Hampshire and a law firm that lobbies heavily at the State House are the top donors to Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan’s inaugural committee.

PSNH and Gallagher, Callahan & Gartrell each gave $25,000, according to a list provided by the committee. Hassan is holding inaugural balls in Manchester today and in the North Country next week.

Fifty-eight businesses, law firms, political committees and individuals donated at least $1,000 to rank as sponsors. Tickets for the public cost $200 for today’s ball and $100 for the Jan. 16 event.

Hassan’s inauguration activities have promoted New Hampshire products, and her inaugural balls will feature a Franconia band. Donations to the committee can be spent on inaugural events and governor’s office activities such as the governor’s Easter egg hunt, committee spokesman Aaron Jacobs said.

Albany International Corp., a textile manufacturer in Rochester, gave $15,000 for the title of Gold Sponsor.

The New Hampshire Automobile Dealers Association, Beacon Capital Partners, AT&T, Liberty Lane Service Company, NextEra Energy, Ocean Properties, Waste Management Inc. and businessman Shawn O’Connor each gave $10,000.

Law firms Rath, Youth and Pignatelli, and Demers and Blaisdell – which both lobby for a long list of clients in Concord – and Liberty Utilities each gave $5,000. Other $5,000 donors were: AstraZeneca, Centene Corporation, Comcast, the Constitution Pipeline, Fidelity, Holloway Auto, Liberty Mutual, New Hampshire Distributors, Pfizer, PhRMA, Pier People, Pierce Atwood, Pike Industries, Wal-Mart, Xerox and law firm McLane, Graf, Raulerson and Middleton.

PSNH has proposed the $1.4 billion Northern Pass project, a 187-mile electrical transmission line that would carry 1,200 megawatts of electricity to power-hungry southern New England markets. Supporters say the line will help hold down energy costs. Opponents say the project would mar the scenic beauty of the state, hurting tourism and property values.

Hassan’s spokesman, William Hinkle, said she remains opposed to a mostly overhead power line and believes that the company must investigate burying more of the line.

“Many groups and individuals have contributed to the Governor’s inauguration, and the Governor is thankful for all of those who have committed to supporting the State of New Hampshire and the institution of the Governor’s Office,” Hinkle said in a statement.