Opponents of the Clean Energy Corridor, such as J. Nicholas here, attempt to vilify the companies that would build the power line because it will generate revenue. This makes no sense whatsoever.
Investing in clean energy infrastructure requires risk taking with large sums. Over the past two decades alone, Hydro-Québec has put billions of dollars towards building the generation needed to continue to power Québec with renewable energy – and to flow more clean power to our neighbors. Today, another connection line is needed between our system and New England’s in order to bring more electrons your way. Hydro-Québec is therefore investing hundreds of millions of dollars to build the transmission needed in Québec to connect to the Clean Energy Corridor. Investments of this magnitude are required to transport the millions of clean megawatt hours that can make a dent in warming temperatures.
If J. Nicholas distrusts Hydro-Québec’s approach to sustainability and fighting pollution, he should spend a little time looking at our practices and how our approach in these matters garners top scores from corporate sustainability analysts. For more on that see here and here.
Over the past decade, Hydro-Québec’s energy deliveries have displaced over 100 million tons of carbon in neighboring markets – the same impact as having approximately 30 million cars disappear from the roads. By displacing the burning of even more fossil fuels for energy, Maine and Québec can continue the fight against pollution with the Clean Energy Corridor.
J. Nicholas speaks of “destruction” in Maine and in Québec. That is simply not true. Hydro-Québec limits its projects’ impacts through innovative design and mitigation measures. No biodiversity is lost. None. For more on that, see here.
Moreover, Maine experts at the Department of Environmental Protection carried out a rigorous two-year review of the Clean Energy Corridor and determined that it meets—or exceeds—all standards set out by the environmental agency. The new right of way will be 54 feet wide, with 35-foot trees in it. “Destruction” – Really?
Destruction is what burning fossil fuels inflicts on Maine, Québec and every other place in the world. The fossil fuel industry – which is funding the opposition to the Clean Energy Corridor – celebrates letters like those written by J. Nicholas. Trying to stop the biggest clean energy project in the region only aims to ensure that polluters can keep on polluting. Is that really what Mainers want?
Lynn St-Laurent
Hydro-Québec spokesperson
Lynn may I get an honest response too these questions? Why not upgrade the existing line going to I believe it’s Mass or New York now instead of weaving through Maines mountains ? Why weave through such an area instead of following a more direct route along a highway, is there plans to flatten those mountains for wind turbines?
OK, Lynn – let’s see if you might respond to a few issues that I have with your letter above. Answer a few of these simple questions: (1) why did HQ choose to NOT participate in DEP hearings, under oath, if this project is so good and necessary? Would have been nice to hear from HQ then. (2) Good projects usually can stand on their own merits so why is it necessary for HQ, CMP and Avangrid to spend $17 million telling us what a great project this is? (3) Why not just settle this once and for all and fund an EIS. Perhaps that $17 mill could have been used for that? (4) So, let’s talk about methyl mercury, ok? (5) Why do all of you continually frame this project as ‘clean energy’? It’s not really. If one wants to be absolutely accurate you might say that after a particular time frame – say 5-10 years, hydroelectric power produced from HQ is cleaner than other sources – and then give statistical evidence. But to say ‘clean energy’ is not correct.
Let’s just come clean (like my pun?) and state that HQ stands to make a boatload of $$$$ – to the tune of $500 mill a year. But framing your arguments in the context of ‘good for Maine’ and ‘clean energy’ is really totally bizarre. And now, this new 54′ RoW with 35 foot trees ……. tell us about the actual realities of an HVDC line with its static electricity ‘coating’ and that industry standards call for burying it, NOT weaving through 53.5 miles of trees that, and get this piece of science, become flammable when DRY. Remember PG&E?? Well, your partner is less popular than a company that burned down CA and killed over 80 people. So, when you get on your little ‘clean energy’ horse and take issue with what we state, as you have with J. Nichols’ letter (which BTW was accurate, just not the way HQ wanted it to be accurate). And let’s just finish up with accuracy and transparency – neither of which you and your HQ pals, like Serge, do at any time or place. Have a great day, Lynn and see you in November. I am sure you people have your appeal prepared – nice a Canadian Company can be so involved in Maine affairs.
That’s rich, Hydro-Quebec talking about honest language. New attempts almost daily to sway Mainers into thinking this Corridor is going to somehow be good for them. $17 million spent on advertising between HQ and CMP and counting. Do you think all this would be necessary if this line in fact was good for Maine and Mainers? Their ads are failing and they’ve got to try something new. They think we can be bought off only because they are the ones desperate for the windfall of $millions$. Mainers appreciate the natural land around them and know from visiting other areas just how much of it can disappear in a few short years.
Lynn, I too would like to know why alternative routes are not being considered. There are three options, which I feel would be better suited for this high voltage DC line:
1. Enhance existing DC corridor currently connected to Massachusetts
2. Build through already permitted route through Vermont
3. Build line through New York State on the way to New York City and into Massachusetts from the west
Please explain why the Maine route is better. Please leave costs out of your reasoning, as this is about protecting the environment and making the world a better place with ‘clean energy’. I’m sure that an environmentally conscious company like yours would be willing to spend extra money to further protect the environment.
The NECEC opponents are setting Maine up towards a situation where neither Canada or Massachusetts will share power assets with us and, believe me, that would mean electricity prices rising to the luxury only range.
Posting lies for the energy czars to an open forum in Franklin County. So how’d it go?
Clayton that is wrong. Mass and Canada can’t make our prices go up. We belong to the same grid. As other people have tried to tell us although not substantiated with facts that this li e will feed everyone in New England not just Mass. The start of this it was clearly stated that the power was in fact for Mass to get cheap “clean” energy. CMP has already been granted a price increase so any savings they claim we will see are already gone and then some.
Ms. St-Laurent,
You forever lost any confidence l may have had in you and Hydro-Québec with the totally misguided and deceptive statement you made, and l quote “ the new right of way will be 54ft wide with 35ft trees in it.”
“Destruction” “Really?”
Now, Ms. St-Laurent, last l heard that 54ft wide new right of way will have 120ft mono-poles standing over those 35 ft trees. Which in itself is hysterically funny because it would leave one to believe that Hydro-Québec and it’s partners will somehow be maintaining that tree footage. As far as l know, you folks don’t even have a maintenance plan to take care of the new swath that’s going to be cut, because after all, you can’t use herbicides.
As for the destruction that your innovative design and mitigation measures limit. The CMP Corridor’s impacts, (impact is just a “cleaner” word for destruction,) will carve a new 54 mile swath through Maine’s North Woods, destroy numerous wetlands, native brook trout, deer wintering habitats, and displace wildlife. The CMP Corridor will ruin the view shed and impact the economy throughout our state in a negative manner. I could go on but you get my drift and I’m busy.
I would remind you that even though our Governor has come out backing the project, their are many Mainers that do not. Perhaps you should save your misguided information for those “show me the money” folks who don’t investigate your false claims.
Have a great day and see you at the polls in November. Well not you, but most likely some of those whom your PAC has influenced with that 17 million dollars worth of half truths and down right lies.
And by the poll results, that’s not many.
Chris,,
Lol lol lol !!
That’s very funny….
“They” are all paid big bucks to Lie to themselves and say, everything is going great!!
“We,” know the truth.
NOT VERY WELL!!
A Reckoning Is Coming.
LOVE MY STATE.
Everything Is Beautiful.
Hey Lynne,
Good to see you here in the propaganda/rhetoric/brainwashing world. My question is where were you during the hearings that required testimony under oath as to the promises you allege? What! You legal said you cant say that under oath? Shocking. Go away, and stop saying this is about anything but robbery and exploitation of Maine and its people.