By Fred Bever Maine Public news story Most of the time, environmental advocates and the owners of fossil-fuel power plants battle over how much pollution is acceptable, given the need to keep the lights on. But in Maine, they are now aligning against a common enemy – Central Maine Power (CMP). CMP wants to build Read More
CMP Transmission Line Proposal: A Bad Deal for Maine
Central Maine Power (CMP) is proposing to build a 145-mile, high-voltage, direct current transmission line from the Quebec-Maine border to an interconnection with the existing New England grid in Lewiston. About 53 miles of the CMP transmission line route would create a brand new transmission corridor; requiring clearing of a large, currently undisturbed, swath of Maine’s North Woods.
The Natural Resources Council of Maine opposes the CMP corridor because it would harm Maine forests and wildlife, suppress Maine's renewable energy industry, and could actually increase climate change emissions, all without any clear benefit to Maine or Massachusetts.
Under its proposal, CMP would expand the other 92 miles of transmission line, requiring clearing more vegetation and undertaking additional development within existing corridors. The proposed CMP transmission line includes above-ground transmission lines across the Kennebec River Gorge, the Appalachian Trail, 263 wetlands, 115 streams, 12 inland waterfowl and wading bird habitat areas, and near Beattie Pond, a Class 6 remote pond.
Opponents File Arguments with State to Scuttle or Reshape CMP Plan for 145-mile Power Line
They cite job losses, idled power plants, increased pollution and canceled solar and wind projects as potential impacts of the transmission line proposed by Central Maine Power’s parent company. by Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Opponents of a plan to build a 145-mile transmission line through western Maine filed their objections Read More
CMP Transmission Project Expected to Fatten Parent Avangrid’s Bottom Line
The 145-mile high-voltage line still needs approval from the Maine Public Utilities Commission, but stock analysts see a boost to the company on the horizon. by Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story The parent company of Central Maine Power stands to earn roughly $60 million a year in net income from building Read More
Unanswered Questions about CMP Bid to Cross Maine to Bring Clean Power from Canada to Massachusetts
Is it a shell game? by Christine Parrish The Free Press news story Questions are being asked as to whether a $950 million electricity transmission line that Central Maine Power proposes to build across a remote part of Maine will reduce greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere, as intended. The proposed project is a joint Read More
Massachusetts Drops NH Transmission Proposal; Top Pick Shifts to Power Line Across Maine
Statement of Dylan Voorhees, Climate and Clean Energy Project Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine “Unfortunately, after making the wise choice to reject the flawed New Hampshire Northern Pass proposal, the Massachusetts selection committee has selected a nearly identical proposal from Central Maine Power (CMP). “New Hampshire officials rejected the Northern Pass proposal because of Read More
New England Clean Energy Connect: CMP Transmission Line
NRCM Statement on CMP Transmission Line Proposal: New England Energy Connect February 21, 2018 The Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) opposes this project because of significant concerns about the environmental impact of both the line itself and of the sources of power the line may serve and concern that Governor LePage wants to push Read More
