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CMP submits project bids that include western Maine transmission line

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Central Maine Power is submitting multiple bids in response to a Massachusetts request for proposals, utilizing a transmission line running through western Maine to deliver clean energy from the state from Canada.

Following the passage of An Act Relative to Energy Diversity in 2016, Massachusetts issued an RFP to bring up to 9.45 terawatts of clean energy power into the state. CMP submitted their proposals Thursday, the final day of the RFP.

The first proposal, the New England Clean Energy Connect, would link the New England grid with a Canadian hydroelectric company, Hydro-Québec. A new transmission line would begin at the Canadian border in western Somerset County and run 145 miles to a new AC/DC converter station in Lewiston. That line, in addition to small improvements to other Maine facilities, would deliver 1,200 megawatts of power to Massachusetts.

The second proposal, the Maine Clean Power Connection, would partner CMP with NextEra. The line would begin at at a new substation in Skinner Township in western Somerset County near the Canadian border and run 140 miles to Lewiston substation. That line would deliver between 460 megawatts and 1,110 megawatts of clean energy from a collection of wind, solar and storage facilities in eastern Canada and western Maine.

Both proposals use the same approximate delivery route, including preexisting transmission line corridors that run from the Lewiston sites to The Forks, including Farmington and the Jay/Livermore Falls area. New corridors would be created between The Forks and Canada. Both proposed projects are slated to become operational by 2022.

CMP says that the projects would “help stabilize electricity costs, protect consumers, and reduce carbon emissions by 1.4 million metric tons” as well as provide $150 million in annual electricity cost savings by expanding access to Hydro-Québec’s hydro power resources.

We’re pleased to offer Massachusetts a new choice of highly competitive, clean energy projects in full confidence that we can deliver tremendous value to consumers in the Commonwealth, Maine and other New England states,” said Sara J. Burns, president and CEO of Central Maine Power, in a prepared statement released Thursday. “CMP has the advantage of owning all the transmission corridors to minimize distance to the market, development costs and impacts to communities and the environment.”

CMP says that its first proposal, the NECEC, would offer regional benefits in the form of average annual wholesale energy cost savings of more than $40 million per year over the 20-year life of the project, as well as $406 million annually in increased gross domestic product. The MCPC project is projected to save New England customers between $655 million – $1.45 billion over the 20-year life of the project.

Other proposals submitted in response to Massachusetts RFP include connecting to Canada through New Hampshire and and a proposal to run cable beneath Lake Champlain in Vermont. Massachusetts will be selecting projects in January in advance of further negotiations and the development of more advanced plans.

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8 Comments

  1. Well well….Here we go again folks.
    CMP tells us they are going to ‘Stabilize electricity cost” ….”Protect consumers” , “Reduce carbon emissions and “Provide us ‘Cost Savings.
    This sounds like another load of Crap that will only provide more electricity
    for Mass. while running transmission lines (What ever those look like) into
    the view of Livermore Falls, Jay, Farmington, Wilton and what ever other
    countryside they need to provide expansion for the masses in Mass.

    What are the “Regional Benefits ??? Are they alongside the other “Benefits” that CMP has provided us in the past few years that they have
    ‘Jacked Up’ the rates with their new efficient meters??? Where are the “savings” from not sending ‘meter readers’ out to our homes? Did anyone’s
    “cost saving rates” go down with that story we were told??
    Look at this project closely folks or we will be giving Mass. a great “Cost
    Savings” at the expense of our own Mainers and countryside view. What would the view over Wilson or Webb Lake look like with Massachusetts Electric Transmission Towers at sunset. If anyone loves the beauty of
    western Maine get ready to protest this project before it goes any further.
    And please look at CMP’s record of ‘cost savings’ to the Rate Payer. Any
    savings they get (which has been plenty) has gone to expand their own
    corporate structure and has not been passed on to those of us who sign their paycheck.

  2. Well put Bill. If hydro power is “green energy” I guess we shouldn’t have deregulated all the ones we alreadyhad in Maine. Id rather have more ponds than flat mountain tops with turbines or 100 plus acre clear cuts full of solar panels !!!!

  3. meanwhile, Maine and CMP in all their infinite wisdom and glory decides clean energy sold to the grid from private solar systems is bad for consumers. how is this different?

  4. Well it says above that both of the proposals would use the corridors that already exist they will be building new lines and thus new towers or at least a new pole line, between the forks and Lewiston. I for one hope this is built and that we as a state will gain too as well
    we shall see as this goes froth

  5. Lu I can tell you if this project goes through additional lines will be going up in Livermore Fall on River Road after you pass Bowman Air Field. CMP is working with all the home owners on both sides of the road to purchase all the homes after you pass under the current lines. My home is one the will be they will be purchasing and demolishing to put up the lines. My neighbors and my family are living in limbo untill we find out if we all have to leave or not. The fear of the unknown if getting to everyone.

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