Fails to address key concern on climate impact, is out of step with growing opposition from Mainers NRCM news release Augusta, ME — The Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) staff today issued their “Examiner’s Report” for the Central Maine Power (CMP) corridor project. The review makes several troubling conclusions and includes a recommended decision from 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.
In Another Hit to CMP Corridor, Farmington Votes to Oppose Project
NRCM news release Farmington, ME – Voters in Farmington tonight voted decisively to oppose the Central Maine Power (CMP) corridor project. The vote is another sign that CMP’s proposal to cut a huge transmission line through the North Woods to send hydropower from Canada to Massachusetts faces deep and growing opposition from residents throughout western Read More
Franklin County Commissioners Pull Support for CMP Transmission Line
Commissioners said they were not influenced by a complaint about a flier distributed by CMP in Farmington. by Rachel Ohm, Central Maine newspapers Portland Press Herald news story FARMINGTON — Franklin County commissioners voted to revoke support for a proposed transmission line through western Maine on Tuesday after expressing concerns over the permitting process for Read More
CMP Corridor is Not the Clean Energy Solution for Maine
Maine Campus newspaper editorial When picturing Maine, the Pine Tree State, it’s hard not to imagine the rocky coast, the rural farmland and the vast forests. In fact, Maine has the largest amount of overall forest coverage in the country. Our state is home to the end of the Appalachian Trail, which hosts over 2 Read More
Dozens Weigh In on Whether to Study Greenhouse Gas Impact of CMP Power Line
Supporters are skeptical that Central Maine Power’s proposal for a 145-mile transmission line connecting Quebec with Massachusetts will reduce emissions of gases tied to climate change. by Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Opponents of Central Maine Power’s proposal to build a high-voltage transmission line through Maine urged lawmakers to Read More
Support of LD 640, Resolve, To Require a Study of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions from Proposed CMP Transmission Corridor
Senator Carson, Representative Tucker, and distinguished members of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. My name is Nick Bennett, and I am the Staff Scientist at the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). NRCM is Maine’s largest environmental advocacy group with more than 20,000 members and supporters. I am testifying in strong support of LD Read More
Wilton Voters Show Strong Opposition to CMP Project
Nearly 200 residents were nearly unanimous in rescinding the selectpersons’ letter supporting the $950 million transmission line from Quebec to Massachusetts. By Dee Menear, The Franklin Journal Sun Journal news story WILTON — Voters at a special town meeting Tuesday showed overwhelming opposition to Central Maine Power Co.’s New England Clean Energy Connect project. The Read More
Wilton Latest Town to Oppose CMP Transmission Project Through Overwhelming Vote by Residents
Proposed CMP Settlement Fails to Change Minds NRCM News Release Tonight voters in the town of Wilton voted to rescind the town’s previous support and take a position opposed to CMP’s proposed transmission corridor from Canada through Western Maine. Like many other towns, Wilton’s select board had signed an early letter in support of the Read More
Support for Central Maine Power Transmission Line is Misguided
A recent editorial in favor of the project fails to grasp what it would do to a globally significant forest region. By David Publicover and Jeff Reardon Portland Press Herald op-ed We are writing in response to the Feb. 24 editorial in support of Central Maine Power’s proposed New England Clean Energy Connect transmission line Read More
