NRCM news release December 16, 2021 (Augusta, ME) — Today, Judge Michael Duddy of the Maine Business & Consumer Court denied the motion by Avangrid and Central Maine Power (CMP) for a preliminary injunction to delay implementation of the new law passed overwhelmingly by Maine voters to terminate the CMP corridor. In his ruling the 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.
Maine DEP Suspends CMP Corridor Permit
November 23, 2021 (Augusta, ME) — This evening, Maine Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Melanie Loyzim suspended the permit for CMP’s controversial corridor project. This is a major blow for the project and comes weeks after an overwhelming vote by Maine people to terminate the CMP corridor. Below is a short statement from NRCM’s Advocacy Read More
Mainers Rally at DEP HQ to Call for Immediate Suspension of Permit for CMP Corridor
NRCM news release November, 18, 2021 (Augusta, ME) – Voters who supported Question 1 from across Maine gathered today outside the headquarters of Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to call on the agency’s commissioner to immediately suspend the permit for the highly controversial Central Maine Power (CMP) corridor project. Speakers at the rally noted that Maine law allows DEP Commissioner Melanie Loyzim to Read More
New Poll: Maine Voters Want CMP to Stop Corridor Cutting, Support DEP Suspending Permit
November 17, 2021 (Augusta, ME) — A new public opinion survey completed since Election Day shows that most Maine voters want Central Maine Power (CMP) to stop all clearing of trees in western Maine to honor the will of Maine voters. A strong majority also supports having the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) order Read More
Mainers Demand CMP Corridor be Terminated
NRCM news release November 2, 2021 (Augusta, ME) – A strong majority of Maine voters today delivered a devastating blow to the controversial Central Maine Power (CMP) corridor project, according to results being reported by Maine media outlets. Question 1 was on track to pass overwhelmingly despite CMP and Hydro-Quebec shattering all previous referendum campaign Read More
Maine DEP Hearing Considers Suspension of CMP Corridor Permit
NRCM news release Augusta, ME (October 19, 2021) – In an unprecedented development that could result in termination of the Central Maine Power (CMP) corridor project, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is holding a hearing today to consider suspending the permit for the controversial transmission line. That permit was thrown into doubt after an August 10, 2021, decision (view PDF) by a State Superior Court Judge to terminate an Read More
Code Red for the Climate Demands New Behavior by CMP
On the same day that the Portland Press Herald reported about an alarming new climate study that has been called “code red for humanity,” it also carried a front-page story about Central Maine Power’s (CMP) continued failure to help solar energy projects connect with the electrical grid as part of Maine’s response to climate change. The contrast could not be Read More
Conservation Groups Move to Add U.S. Department of Energy to CMP Corridor Lawsuit
News release from Natural Resources Council of Maine, Appalachian Mountain Club, and Sierra Club Maine March 29, 2021 (Augusta, ME) – Three of Maine’s largest conservation groups have moved to add the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to their lawsuit challenging the flawed federal permits that were granted to Central Maine Power (CMP) for its Read More
Support of LD 471, An Act to Require Legislative Approval for Certain Leases of Public Lands
Senator Dill, Representative O’Neil, and members of the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry: My name is Nick Bennett, and I am the staff scientist for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). NRCM is Maine’s largest environmental advocacy group with more than 25,000 members and supporters. I am testifying in support of LD 471. Read More
