Hide Transcript Show Transcript

LOWS IN THE LOWER 40S. SUNDAY...PARLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE MID 50S. A CONTROVERSIL TRAMISSION LINE...PLANED TO CUT THROUGH WESTERN MAINE...HAS A GREEN LIGHT. THE STATE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSIO TODAY APPROVING A KEY PERMIT FOR THE "CENTRAL MAINE POWER" PROJECT WMTW NEWS8'S TYLER CADEROTTE WAS AT THE HEARING IN HALLOWELL. TC: THS I A BIG STEP FORWARD FOR THE CORRIDOR PROJECT... WHICH HAS BEEN UNDER REVIEW FOR THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF. ALL THREE COMMISSIONERS WERE IN AGREEENT TO MOVE THE PROJECT FORWARD... APPROVING A CERTIFICAE FOR THE TRANSMISSION LINE IN WESTERN MAINE TAT SHOUD BE FINALIZED WITHIN THE NEXT WEEK. THA DECISION FALLS IN LINE WITH A RECENT STAFF REPORT BACKING THE PROJECT. THE COMMISSION STRESSED TODAY IT'S BELIEF THAT THE ECONOMIC AND CLEAN ENERGY BEEFITS ARE IN THE STATE'S BES INTEREST... AD OUTWEIGH THE LOCAL IMPACTS. OPPONENTS MAINTAIN THERE'S NO PROF THE PROJECT WILL BENEFIT THE STATE... CALLING THE P-U-C DECISION DEEPLY FLAWED. THORN DICKINSON/AVANGRID: 13:04 WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO DEMONSTRAT WHY WE THINK THIS PROJECT IS VITAL AND IMPORTAN FOR THE STATE OF MAINE. 13:09 SUE ELY/NATURAL RESOURCS COUNCIL OF MAINE: 17:02 THIS IS THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION SIDING WITH CENTRAL MAINE POWER'S CORPORATION INTERESTS OVER THE BEST INTEREST OF THE STATE OF MAINE AN RATEPAERS OF MAINE. 17:12 TC: THIS IS THE FIRST REGLATORY HURDLE THE PROJECT HAS CLEARED. IT'S STILL UNDER REVIEW BY

Advertisement Public Utilities Commission approves Central Maine Power transmission line project Share Shares Copy Link Copy

A proposed 145-mile transmission line that would serve as a conduit for Canadian hydropower to reach the New England power grid cleared a major hurdle Thursday with approval of the Maine Public Utilities Commission.The three-member panel unanimously approved Central Maine Power's $1 billion project, but further regulatory approvals will be necessary for the project to become a reality.CMP's New England Clean Energy Connect would allow 1,200 megawatts of Canadian hydropower to reach consumers in Massachusetts to meet that state's green energy goals. But commissioners concluded that there are substantial benefits for Maine, as well, including reduced carbon pollution, lower electric rates and enhanced energy reliability, along with $258 million in incentives."I think the end result is a good result for Maine ratepayers and a necessary one to meet the infrastructure needs of both Maine and the region," PUC Chairman Mark Vannoy said during the meeting.Though the project is being funded by Massachusetts, critics say it would destroy Maine's unspoiled wilderness without guarantees of environmental benefits. They also say it would snuff out homegrown green energy projects, like solar and wind power, in Maine.Much of the project calls for widening existing corridors, but a new swath would be cut through 53 miles (85 kilometers) of wilderness in western Maine. It would cross the Appalachian Trail, 263 wetlands and 115 streams, according to the Natural Resources Council of Maine.Further approvals are necessary. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection, the Maine Land Use Planning Commission and other regulators all have to approve some aspect of the CMP project. The Department of Environmental Protection will make the final decision on CMP's site permit and compliance with the state Natural Resources Protection Act, agency spokesman David Madore said.Maine Public Advocate Barry Hobbins and Democratic Gov. Janet Mills both endorsed the project after CMP sweetened the deal with a package of benefits for Maine.The utility's $258 million in incentives would provide $140 million for rate relief for retail customers, $50 million for low-income energy customers, $15 million to subsidize heat pump purchases and $15 million for electric cars and charging stations.Supporters say the project would provide electricity for a million homes and drive down electricity rates for all of New England.An independent consultant, London Economics International LLC, concluded that carbon dioxide emissions would be lowered by 3.6 million metric tons and ratepayers would save $20 million to $40 million per year.