The National Grid powerline corridor involved in the project runs through Auburn, Belchertown, Conway, Deerfield, East Brookfield, Leicester, Leverett, Millbury, North Brookfield, Pelham, Shelburne, Shutesbury, Spencer, Sunderland, Ware, and West Brookfield.
National Grid's Official Project Website with project information
Summary of the project (developed by ResponsibleGrid.org)
The Basics
● The entire project runs 67 miles through 16 communities.
● The current right of way is between 80-190’ feet wide; the proposed width would be 125 feet wide in most places.
● A total of maintenance and system improvements will involve 711 existing structures.
The project would install the following new infrastructure: A total of 275 concrete caisson foundations; a total of 236 micro-pile foundations; 185 direct embed foundations on the E5/F6 Lines, and 20 switch structures that will be installed at various locations throughout the ROW adjacent to proposed poles. The project involves the removal of the existing double circuit towers, conductors, shield wire and related transmission components and the rebuilding of the E5/F6 Lines. The Project also will replace all structures along the two Tap Lines.
● Access improvements will include grading and the addition of stone to existing access, as well as the construction of new access.
Final Environmental Impact Report - Aug. 31, 2026
Central to Western Massachusetts Energy Improvement Project (EEA #16913) Final Environmental Impact Report: this is an online folder, you can download multiple files as a zip file at: https://bscgroup.egnyte.com/fl/Yg8x3VWMRfp9 . Password: yC3gfKX24kB0
Or Download Separate Files: (Note - some files are too large to view and can only be downloaded )
Full FEIR Narrative and All Appendices (790 pages)
FEIR Narrative (129 pages)
Appendix A: FEIR Plans- visual maps of proposed deployment (315 pages)
Appendix B: Distribution List - list of state agencies and local governments what will receive information (14 pages)
Appendix C: Secretary's Certificate and Comment Letters - Sec. Tepper's Jan. 2026 Certificate for the Draft EIR and copies of all public comments on DEIR. (156 pages)
Appendix D: Agency Correspondence - letter from DEP (4 pages)
Appendix E: Municipality Tables - tables regarding various impacts by project, listed by municipality (12 pages)
Appendix F: Response to Comment c-46 - Consultant analysis regarding a 50-year storm event (8 pages)
Appendix G: Carbon Analysis - consultant analysis of carbon stocks impacted by the project (16 pages)
Appendix H: Best Management Practices - documentation of standard/proposed management practices by National Grid (136 pages)
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Draft Environmental Impact Report - Nov. 2025
Appendix B: Distribution List (for contacts)
Appendix C: Impact Tables by community
Appendix D: Best Management Practices
Appendix E: Stormwater Management Report
Appendix H: Delineated Certificate and Comment Letters