By George Smith Bangor Daily News column Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has stepped up big time to criticize Central Maine Power’s proposal to construct a massive new transmission line through Maine to move electricity from Quebec to Massachusetts. The good people of New Hampshire rejected CMP’s proposal, so they’ve moved it to 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.
Meeting on Transmission Line Project Draws a Crowd
by Ben Hanstein Daily Bulldog news story FARMINGTON – More than 100 people attended an informational hearing held Monday evening on the New England Clean Energy Connect, asking questions about the potential environmental, infrastructural and economic impacts and benefits of the proposed transmission line project. The meeting was organized by state Sen. Tom Saviello and Wilton Read More
CMP Touts Benefits of Power Line Project in Farmington
A public meeting drew about 100 people, many of whom voiced opposition with signs and stickers against the project. by Rachel Ohm, Staff Writer Central Maine newspapers news story FARMINGTON — About 100 people gathered at Mt. Blue High School Monday night to ask questions of Central Maine Power Co. officials about a proposed Quebec-to-Massachusetts Read More
Enemies Line Up to Fight Power Line Project Through Maine
By Jon Chesto, Globe Staff Boston Globe news story Does the Baker administration have another Northern Pass on its hands? Northern Pass, of course, was the controversial power line project picked in January to draw hydroelectricity here from Canada. New Hampshire regulators quickly ended that. A backup plan — a 145-mile power line through western Read More
In Need of Electricity, Massachusetts Looks to the North—Again
Some in Maine push back on plans to transmit hydropower from Quebec, after New Hampshire rejected the idea By Jon Kamp Wall Street Journal news story BOSTON—Massachusetts is again testing its northern neighbors’ willingness to help meet its growing need for electricity. Central Maine Power Co. wants to build a $950 million, 145-mile transmission line deep Read More
Transmission Lines Over Kennebec Gorge? That May be a Choke Point for Renewable Energy Advocates
A 145-mile power line that would carry hydroelectricity from Canada to Massachusetts – and carve a path through the scenic gorge – signals a bleak future for multistate projects in New England. by Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story WEST FORKS PLANTATION — Only a sharp eye would notice the small strips Read More
CMP, Hydro-Quebec Sign 20-year Power Contract with Massachusetts Utilities
by Staff Mainebiz news story Hydro-Quebec and Central Maine Power Co. announced Thursday they had signed an agreement with Massachusetts electric distribution companies to bring hydropower from Quebec to the Bay State via a 145-mile transmission line through Maine. The conclusion of contract negotiations with the electric distribution companies represents another major milestone for CMP’s Read More
CMP Inks Deal Crucial to $950M Plan to Pipe Hydropower through Western Maine
by Lori Valigra Bangor Daily News news story Central Maine Power Co.’s plan to build a transmission line from the Canadian border through western Maine to bring hydropower to Massachusetts passed a critical step Thursday, when the Maine utility and Massachusetts electricity distributors said they had signed a contract. The contract, which was not made Read More
CMP Has Not Demonstrated Climate Benefits for Transmission Project
So-Called New England Clean Energy Connect Not New Clean Energy NRCM news release Today, Massachusetts utilities announced agreement on a contract with Central Maine Power (CMP) for its proposed transmission project with Hydro-Quebec. The contract is subject to review and approval by the MA Dept. of Public Utilities and the project still requires approval by Read More
