It’s a pandemic – of process-servers.
CMP doesn’t stand for Coronavirus Maine Power, but maybe it should. Central Maine Power is spewing out every legal loogie its high-priced lawyers can cough up in what will likely prove a futile effort to stop the state’s voters from deciding whether the electric utility can build a transmission line through western Maine to deliver Canadian hydropower to Massachusetts.
CMP has already spent millions trying to flatten the negative public-opinion curve of the New England Clean Energy Connect project. According to knowledgeable sources, those TV and newspaper ads have been about as effective as a tissue-paper facemask is in preventing the spread of viruses. Internal polling shows the media blitz has had a negligible impact, with a sizable majority of voters still opposing the power line.
CMP’s political experts now realize they probably won’t win at the polls. But the courts and government regulatory bodies might be more receptive. So, why not sue everybody in sight?
To date, this plan has worked about as well as convincing Donald Trump to stop making misleading statements about COVID-19.
CMP did succeed in getting Maine’s secretary of state to invalidate several hundred petition signatures because of trivial irregularities. But the anti-corridor crowd still has enough legitimate names to force the issue to a vote. Next, CMP called on a judge to throw out even more signatures, for reasons ranging from questionable to absurd. Naturally, an appeal to the state Supreme Court is likely.
CMP hired a private detective to follow petitioners in hopes of discovering they were cavorting with bio-terrorists. The company also spotted a handful of alleged forgeries, something that happens in nearly every referendum campaign, because there’s no way to screen out smartasses who think they’re being clever. These are the same creeps who spit on produce in supermarkets.
In addition, CMP filed complaints with the state ethics commission against the grassroots organization opposing the corridor. It claims Say No to NECEC got illegal campaign support from a dark-money group called Stop the Corridor.
STC is a front for natural gas companies afraid of losing business if the power line gets built. When it comes to this sleazy outfit, Say No should have practiced social distancing. But referendum drives cost money and, like most grassroots groups, Say No doesn’t have much. It damaged its immune system by taking what looks like germ-infested cash.
The ethics commission dismissed CMP’s complaint, but the company didn’t much care. After all, it’s the distraction that counts. And the whole matter had nothing to do with whether the corridor is a good idea (spoiler alert: it isn’t).
Meanwhile, Hydro-Quebec, the Canadian company that stands to make millions off the corridor, is running ads claiming it hasn’t despoiled all that much of Canada and certainly won’t destroy Baxter State Park (that’s true, mostly because the project is nowhere near the park). It ought to be illegal for foreign companies to attempt to influence Maine referendums, but it isn’t. Somebody should file a lawsuit about that.
Let’s not be petty – even if CMP is. In Jay, the company needs a shoreland zoning permit because part of this project comes close to fragile bodies of water. The Jay Planning Board, which issues such permits, requested information on the corridor’s impact on wildlife habitat, wetlands and areas with rare plants. Rather than comply, CMP demanded two board members who’ve publicly criticized the power line recuse themselves. So far, that hasn’t happened.
In case you’re experiencing a shortage of arrogance during this isolating time, CMP ignored the threat of a referendum and awarded $300 million in construction contracts to build the project, deals that are undoubtedly intended to provoke more lawsuits if voters reject the power line.
Speaking of which, CMP is making plans to go back to court if (when) it loses at the polls to argue it’s illegal to overturn a Public Utilities Commission decision by popular vote.
What they’re saying is that when it comes to influential utilities, referendums are no cure.
You don’t need a ventilator to clear the air. Just email aldiamon@herniahill.net.
OK, now let’s hear a barrage from those few folks that are all for this, or if they’re not really for it are certainly against those who do oppose it.
Pine Tree – What are you talking about? Its bad enough to try and get through Al’s gibberish without having commenters make no sense as well …
As far as I can tell. most of the people that are against this, are against it because it doesn’t line their pockets. They’re just worried someone is making money off the state and not themselves …
We don’t agree an a lot of things but this was a good piece. You have written several lately on a variety of topics that I have found to be interesting and informative, whether I agree or not. Kudos.
I’ll bite, I think Franklin county should receive a third of the tax revenue that Cumberland county takes in, oh wait that’s not how it works…unless I get it put on the ballot. Do you think Cumberland county would like that, or would they fight to try to keep their money? I checked, there is no law that says a referendum can’t be used to leverage money from another county or even the state for that matter. My neighbor has an obnoxiously big barn and it totally messes up an otherwise perfect view of the mountains, I think he should tear it down so my view is unobstructed, better start getting those 60 odd thousand signatures I guess. “Do you favor the tearing down of BLAH BLAH’s barn so Hrtlss’s view is not messed up?” If the folks of Biddeford can get the MERC plant torn down because it blocks their view of the Saco river, I could probably get them to support the idea.
Seriously though, Landowner rights are everything, If CMP has secured the land they need, who is the public to say what they can do with it, I get it, the Communists and Socialists of the state don’t believe in private property ownership(unless it’s their property), but we of the free world still do. People can pass this to the ballot and should the southern Maine communists and Socialists vote for it, there is no way the newly voted referendum makes it passed congress. Private property and the laws afforded to utility companies for them to run transmission corridors will stop the ill thought out and poorly executed grass roots movement.
Hey Hrtlss, I think you need to brew a new batch of Kool-Aid, I believe yours went bad a while ago!
-NIMBY
Somehow you always find a way to cast negativity on President Trump whether your rant pertains to him or not:-(
HB,,
my advice to you is “Breathe”..
I suppose if all this opposition results in CMP paying Maine somewhere near the amount they offered the other states, you would think CMP was there VICTIM?
They are screwing the State of Maine as the CHEAPEST DATE.
This is a bad deal for Maine.
Breathe,
Repeat…
Here are some figures anyone looking at the NECEC should consider before assuming it’s all bad.
Maine receives about half of the electricity it uses from Canada. One-fourth of that is transmitted across power lines connecting us to New Brunswick and Quebec. The rest arrived via pipeline in the form of natural gas which is then converted to electricity in state. This accounts for one-fifth of the electricity generated in Maine.
Of that electricity generated in Maine, three-fourths is derived from renewable sources. Hydroelectricity leads the way, followed by biomass generation, then wind, and finally solar.
Massachusetts relies on natural gas to meet two-thirds of electricity demand. To meet this need the state must import liquified natural gas from the Carribean, Middle East, and Russia because they can not get enough from sources in Canada and the United States. As a result money that could remain in circulation regionally is lost to foreign nations.
By transmitting electricity through Maine the NECEC will keep more money in circulation regionally. Given the current state of economies in this region that would be a good idea.
There is no competing proposal. Those dreaming them up are asking you to choose between fantasy and reality.
There is a fully permitted proposal by TDI in the state of Vermont for the same Request for Proposals (RFPs) put out by Massachusetts. They can chose that one when this cheap date in Maine gets voted out by the people.
Maine could use the money. It would be foolish to give up the opportunity to bring $300 million into this state’s economy at a time like this. Especially when that decision is based more on emotions driven by misinformation than by fact.
It’s a “fact” that Vermont was offered much more than the piddly amount our Gov agreed to.
Which makes it,,
(ALL TOGETHER NOW),,,
“A BAD DEAL FOR MAINE”
Plus we’d be even more beholding (slaves) to foreign companies who don’t care about us.
Hey Gov Mills,, can I interest you in some ocean front property in Arizona?
Hey Jeremy Lambert, You should let me build a pigsty in your backyard, because NIMBY…
Jamie, Where do the displaced workers from this (biomass workers for one) go to make the lost check ? Is there a full service electric car station? Many jobs are to be lost for this, the 38 permanent jobs from CMP isn’t nearly enough openings for them people. Or will the $300 million go towards unemployment or other expanded services?
Well I’m still opposed, and still waiting for some shady dude to come hand me a wad of cash for being so opposed. Hasn’t happened yet. I’ll remain opposed, despite the people who think it’s a socialist, communist plot to foul up the kind and loving work of the power company, who obviously has all of our best interest in mind (I know this because they keep telling me how wonderful everything will be if I just go along). CMP can kiss my heiny, even if nobody shows up to pay me for my opinion.
Thanks to HB for the predictable response while neglecting to note that the NECEC crosses public land where a real controversy has brewed AND for leaving out the externalities that are consequences of a project this invasive and potential dangerous for a number of reasons.
And Jamie – holy crap. what flavor of kool-aid are you sipping? I can’t figure you out. You can’t be THAT naive, can you? You know the jobs to which you refer? A lot of them are going to a company based in Georgia. (you really need to hang out on the “Say No to NECEC” fb page for some factual information. And the benefit to Mainers comes in over 40 years. And let’s not forget to mention that the project is ready and waiting in Vermont AND, there are already existing routes from HQ to MA so this extension cord is not really even necessary. Please do some homework before you start touting the great benefits from cmp. We are already getting enough from them in the way of how to live without electricity in winter/early spring.
This time, in his own convoluted way, Al has hit on some very good points. Funny how opponents can find dozens of reasons to NOT build this corridor but cmp’s ONE reason: “It’s good for Maine”. Says it all, who could argue with that one?
Ironic Fitting Analogy that HB used about “PIGSTY”..
That’s about right.
Thanks HB.
If you’re determined to have a pigsty in your back yard move to Vermont where the pigsty will end up after we chase then off.
BTW, thanks to all the smelly hippie socialists…. for having nothing to do with any of this.
No Stinkin’ Corridor.
Thanks Folks.
>One of the greatest conservation victories of the 20th century for Maine’s citizens was the HISTORIC EVENT of the Maine State Supreme Court ruling in 1981 of Cushing vs Maine. This ruling made clear to Maine and Maine’s citizens that these public reserved lands do indeed belong to the CITIZENS of Maine and DO NOT belong to the state or to private industry.
>Unlike state park land, public reserved land is as it says, land reserved for the publics’ use. Public reserved land can be used for one or a multitude of uses, either for recreation, leased and taxed for timber harvesting (following accepted harvesting practices) , and for preservation of animal habitat, sensitive animal or plantlife or unique natural offerings.
>Maines’ public citizens own and have access to almost 450,000 acres of public reserved lands throughout the state due to the GRASSROOTS EFFORTS of concerned citizens during the 60’s and 70’s. The revenues recieved through leases and taxes from timber harvesting are to be managed by state appointed boards and committees to maintain boundaries and access of these public reserved lands for Maine’s PUBLIC and NOT for the state or PIVATE INDUSTRY. It’ s the LAW!
K. Masterman, State law also says that those undesignated public lands can be used buy utility companies for transmission corridors, pipelines and railways. It is why the permit was originally issued in 2014.
Ozerki, I’m still waiting for the opposition to come up with a good reason why CMP can’t build on its own land and land they have secured the rights to use. So far nobody has answered that question.
Re-read HB. Public reserved lands are NOT undesignated. Check the law. Clearly stated.
Many citizens are NOT indoctrinated. We do not believe your rhetoric by repetition. You want truth, you gotta get off the internet and use different resources.
K. Masterman, undesignated public land, is public land, there is nothing special about it, it isn’t a park, a wildlife management area, protected watershed, just public as in not private, the truth is, the law says what it can be used for, how a permit for use is obtained, and how long that permit is good for. Do you want to know why the permit is under review, I asked the LURC, CMP decided to go underground for that mile rather than the permitted overland and they didn’t update their permit, so it has to be reissued to allow for the horizontal drilling, which brings with it a different set of guidelines. Now, according to the AG, if for example CMP wanted to run a transmission line through Baxter State park, which is designated public land as it has a marked purpose, that would require a 2/3rds vote in congress, that is the state constitution that mandates that.
Has anyone else noticed that CMP is reading from the standard giant-utility, controversial-construction-project handbook, and has already started work on widening the power corridor off Soules Hill Road in North Jay? Crews have been there for weeks, widening the corridor to make way for the massive power lines. This is so, no matter what the good people of Maine say or how they vote, CMP can point to the work already done and say, It’s too late. They can say, Wouldn’t it be a terrible waste of money to stop the project now?
This strategy is used in every dam project, every mega-construction that is controversial; while citizens work through the process, the utility forges ahead until the project seems to be a fait accompli.
HB,
What you call undesignated public land is actually Land for Maine’s Future Land. Alzheimer’s may be creeping up on you since I know it has been shared with you multiple times that to use for this land, for the uses you outline requires a two thirds vote in the LEGISLATURE, not the Congress as you have mentioned several times. Again, Since there was not a two thirds vote in the Legislature, NOT CONGRESS, the lease is invalid. And actually I don’t believe you have Alzheimer’s. I think you just like to argue. But you need a better argument. Get your game on. Ginko biloba may help.
Secondly, Please do some field research. NIYBY, Please expand your horizons and go to New Jersey. Spend a few years. You may come back to your place in Maine with a new appreciation. Maybe not. It always surprises me how people from away come to Maine for all of it’s beauty and then try to make it like the dump they came from. Keep in mind, New Jersey was once as rural and unindustrialized as Maine. But they became the “NECEC” if you will of NYC. Let’s not let Maine become the “NECEC” of Boston.
Lastly, The reason CMP will not be allowed to build on it’s “own land” (my bet is they have clauses on the purchases and easements. Maybe not, their arrogance may have precluded such wording) is because the people of Maine will tell them in November that they cannot build their planned corridor. Simple as that. It is a form of zoning. It is the same reason your neighbor, BLAH and his wife Blister, cannot run a casino and/or a brothel in their barn. It might be a good time but not what is best for the community.
Stay safe and social distance.
Please be sure you are registered to vote against HB and CMP this November.
>When Maine was part of Mass., by law undesignated parcels of land, about 1000 acres each, were set aside in each township for PUBLIC uses, such as building schools and local government. Many areas of the deep woods did not become towns. In the late 1800’s the state leased rights to cut trees on these lands. As time passed, the timber harvesters came to believe they owned the land and boundaries were lost.
>Here is where it gets tricky for the folks $$in bed$$ with the private industries and their investors. The Maine State Supreme Court ruling in 1981 of Cushing vs Maine clearly and finally named these lands as PUBLIC RESERVED LANDS belonging to the CITIZENS, reserved for the use of the CITIZENS, as put forth in my previous post; NOT FOR PRIVATE INDUSTRY.
>These negotiations effectively mobilized public opinion in the single most significant land transaction of the 20th century for the CITIZENS of the state of Maine-acquiring through LEGITIMATE LEGAL MEANS more than half a million acres for the perpetual use of the CITIZENS of Maine, not to be bargained away for the use of PRIVATE INDUSTRY AND THEIR INVESTORS.
>Baxter State Park is NOT part of the state park system. It was gifted to the CITIZENS of Maine from Gov. Percival Baxter (1921-25)
Baxter purchased and protected 201,000 acres that he gave to the CITIZENS of Maine with an endowment under the condition the park be kept and managed “forever wild” for the wildlife first.
HB – there’s a problem with part of the corridor that CMP does NOT own, it leases and this lease agreement is on Public Land. The lease agreement is suspicious because of both price paid annually and because of the terms set out in CMP’s application v the terms required by BPL. As far as CMP doing what they want on their land – yes, they can do what they want AS LONG AS THEY DO NOT HARM ADJACENT land owned by someone else or the project presents a reasonable possibility for damage to adjacent land. This project does meet those possibilities so they need permitting. This project really does NOT even pass the ‘smell test’.
@Old Maniac – You have not been paying attention. Forever impeached president* Trump exudes negativity and divisiveness. There’s no need to ”cast” it at all.