CMP’s proposed transmission line is a bad idea for Franklin County and all of Maine. Sure, this plan will enrich CMP and Hydro-Quebec shareholders. But the benefits CMP alleges you and I will see – even if they were to manifest – don’t in any way counterbalance the negative impacts, environmental and otherwise, that this line will undoubtedly cause if approved. This massive “Big Dig” would trash remote wild places, harm brook trout and deer populations, and do absolutely nothing to reduce air pollution. It would also be a massive eyesore on our remote western mountains, slicing right through the beautiful Kennebec Gorge and even overshadowing the Appalachian Trail.
When are we going to learn that when we allow powerful corporations to destroy our Maine environment, they win and we lose? I call upon our Franklin County Commissioners, our local selectmen and other Maine decision-makers to put Maine first and withhold their support for this ill-advised project.
Scott Cronenweth
Industry
Well said Scott. It would be nice to see Massachusetts try providing some of their own power instead of ruining our state. I also would like to see our elected officials stand up and tell CMP to pound sand, perhaps pull out of the New England grid. Then we could have cheap electricity seems how we produce way more than we could possibly use.
Jesse, It’s possible to spot a liberal just by the way they write, ill thought out ideas,no real solutions. Here is what would happen if we went “off the grid”, they would have to clear more land for more power stations to hold the extra power, clear more land for lines to carry the power to the stations, estimated damage, 75,000 acres, that’s 3/4ths of Obama’s national monument. This new poleline, uses already cleared land and active logging sites, and already existing polelins. Oh, FYI there is already an existing poleline running through the Kennebec Gorge area. and the AT crosses polelines at least 6 times already.
Hrtlss, if you support our state subsidizing Massachusetts power issues with no real compensation that is the definition of liberalism. At least a conservative would expect a return on investment.
My point is we shouldn’t be screwing our state up any further for Massachusetts let them start doing this crap to their own state. As for clearing more land to make storage, theres a big city in southern Maine we could flatten and build it. I’m not opposed to clearing land if we have to, I cut wood anyway. If we produce more than we can use lets scrap the windmills and then we don’t need as much storage.
Captain, we are merely the conduit state. CMP already has 90% of the rights of way to run this wire. They now need permission from the LURC to acquire the final 10%, which they should easily get as they are only widening existing polelines not constructing new ones. Maine gains a little, and we lose nothing. What are we going to do charge CMP rent for land they already control? Besides, we already get the usual perks, income taxes, sales tax and the property taxes that will get paid.
Hrtlss, it’s possible to spot a misinformed lemming just by the things they type also. What do you work for CMP? Oh and FYI “This new poleline, uses already cleared land and active logging sites, and already existing polelins.” Not even close to be true! You should get your facts straight before you go throwing stones.
My issue is nothing to do with clearing more land. Look how much we clear on our highways to drag in more people from MA. This ‘conduit’ to MA can be an asset to Maine; play hardball! Our politicians at all levels need to stop being beaten up for their lunch money.
I’m sure land clearing is not an issue with you captain, you probably don’t leave the pavement of town very often. Some of us do!