The legislative session is underway in Augusta, with continuing bipartisan support for action on clean energy and climate change. We are finally poised to make important strides on policies that reduce pollution; lower energy costs; and create a stronger, more sustainable economy for all Mainers. To do so, Maine people will need to stay engaged Read More
CMP Transmission Line Proposal
Central Maine Power (CMP) is proposing to build a 145-mile, high-voltage, direct current transmission line, called the New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC), 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.
Under the proposal, CMP would also 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.
CMP “Settlement” Less Than Meets the Eye, Opposition to Corridor Continues to Grow
MA Attorney General testimony shows project would not reduce carbon pollution; Firefighters join growing chorus of opposition in Western Maine NRCM News Release Augusta – A settlement package being offered by Central Maine Power (CMP) for its highly contentious corridor project offers Maine people much less than meets the eye and is not worth the Read More
Settlement Conference Scheduled for CMP’s $950M Transmission Project
by Staff Mainebiz news story The Maine Public Utilities Commission has scheduled a “settlement conference” for Tuesday on Central Maine Power Co.’s $950 million transmission line project through western Maine to deliver hydro-power from Canada to electricity customers in Massachusetts. The three-member PUC filed a procedural order on Friday to schedule a settlement conference for Read More
As Maine Debates 145-mile Electric Line, Energy Giant with Billions at Stake is Absent
By Josh Keefe, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story As Maine regulators are deciding whether to approve the construction of a $1 billion transmission line across much of western Maine, the Canadian hydroelectric utility poised to make billions of dollars from the project has been absent from the process. This has left both opponents Read More
CMP Power Line Won’t Help the Environment, and Certainly Not Mainers
It boils down to this: Massachusetts needed a new power source, but it didn’t want an unsightly transmission line in its backyard. By Sandra Howard of Caratunk, a Registered Maine Guide and a Say NO to NECEC member Portland Press Herald op-ed CARATUNK — In 2017, Massachusetts initiated a large-scale procurement process for clean energy Read More
Hydro-Quebec Offers Misleading Claims about Power’s Climate Impact
We can’t trust the utility’s publicists to represent correctly their own carbon emissions. by Bradford H. Hager, MIT earth sciences professor and a part-time resident of Mercer Portland Press Herald op-ed Hydro-Quebec’s claim that – as paraphrased by Portland Press Herald Staff Writer Edward D. Murphy – the electricity they would send south is “produced with Read More
CMP Transmission Proposal Puts Corporate Profits Ahead of Our Environment and Climate
The Natural Resources Council of Maine opposes Central Maine Power’s (CMP) massive, proposed transmission line across western Maine. It would harm Maine’s environment, economy, and way of life—and do nothing to reduce climate-disrupting pollution. It’s a bad deal for Maine. CMP proposes to build a 145-mile, high-voltage, direct current transmission line from the Quebec border Read More
Opponents Rail against CMP’s Proposed 145-mile Transmission Line at Durham Forum
By Hannah LaClaire, Times Record Staff Times Record news story DURHAM — Proponents say a planned 145-mile powerline cutting across Western Maine, terminating in Lewiston, would be a boon for renewable energy. The New England Clean Energy Connect would allow Central Maine Power to deliver hydropower from Quebec to Massachusetts. For boosters of tourism and Read More
Jackman Joins Resistance against CMP Power Line Project
Residents voted 78-11 to oppose the project at a special town meeting on Wednesday. By Meg Robbins, Staff Writer Central Maine newspapers news story JACKMAN — The town of Jackman has joined a number of towns and organizations throughout the state in opposing Central Maine Power Co.’s proposed transmission line that would bring hydropower from Read More
