N.E. Clean Power Connect in Maine - Should we care ?

[Fitz]

I was watching a video yesterday produced by a northbound thru-hiker. He had footage of coming out of the woods and following the AT adjacent to the "swath". My first impression was, "gawd, what an eyesore". Anyway, the trail parallels the swath for some distance. No buffer etc. You would have 'thunk' the proponents/engineers knowing they were under scrutiny, would have at least made an effort when planning the alignment to give the trail a little space. There is probably some good reason. Whateva. Off soapbox now.

[peakbagger]

To be fair, a freshly cut swath is going to look pretty bad, usually within a few years, whatever the utility is going to allow to grow under the lines will be established. It's still a man made disturbance but the AT crosses other man made disturbances.

[maineguy]

It's still a man made disturbance but the AT crosses other man made disturbances.

Well, the AT is itself a man made disturbance

[TCD]

Well, the AT is itself a man made disturbance

++++++++++++++++++++++++

[peakbagger]

Looks like finishing the line by next spring will take a bit longer https://www.bangordailynews.com/2022...ridor-removal/

[peakbagger]

One more rejection

https://www.bangordailynews.com/2022...-cmp-corridor/

Even if the work restarts in the spring it will be hard to meet the 2023 deadline to start sending power to Mass.

[maineguy]

"The judge on Friday rejected an injunction by the New England Clean Energy Connect and said the case is on a “fast track” for a trial in April."

Thank goodness it is on the "fast" track (April 2023) and not proceeding at the normal pace.

[peakbagger]

This project may make CPC moot. https://www.mainepublic.org/environm...ate-regulators

To date no real controversy on the route, power is truly renewable (wind) and the generation is in Maine. Wonder if Mass is reading the tea leaves on CPC?.

[maineguy]

This project may make CPC moot. https://www.mainepublic.org/environm...ate-regulators

To date no real controversy on the route, power is truly renewable (wind) and the generation is in Maine. Wonder if Mass is reading the tea leaves on CPC?.

The CPC would supply 1200 MW vs 1000 MW for the wind farm, but hydro has a much higher capacity factor than wind power.

[peakbagger]

Since the HQ project power is predominantly coming from idled natural gas plants, the HQ project definitely has a higher capacity factor, like all other fossil generation. Unfortunately fossil is not renewable which is the reason that Mass wanted the line to begin with. HQ has been asked multiple times to certify that the power in CPC will be from new hydro versus rebranded existing hydro backstopped with natural gas power and have refused. They are trying to lock up long term supply contracts with the US and then at some future date consider new hydro.

[peakbagger]

Looks like CMP won and the folks who long ago tried to protect public lands from commercial development have lost. https://www.mainepublic.org/business...-on-state-land.

[skiguy]

Looks like CMP won and the folks who long ago try to protect public lands from commercial development have lost. https://www.mainepublic.org/business...-on-state-land.

This has been an interesting thread to follow. Thank you for all the good info and links. Somewhat related was a piece done last night by Keith Carson whom is a Meteorologist for Channel 6 WCSH in Portland Maine. Although the project cited in the OP mostly benefits Massachusetts this article is more specific to Maine and the readiness of it’s grid. The power is going to have to come from somewhere. Interesting scenario although I have no firm numbers but it seems that many of the same folks who are pushing for electric cars are the same folks who are against expanding the grid because of a few trees. https://www.newscentermaine.com/arti...3-4fd0a4a74b31

[peakbagger]

If you look back to Percival Baxter, as a lawyer, politician and governor it was obvious that he did not trust politicians as during and prior to his era, the legislature's biggest goal was to distribute public lands to private interests. He wanted to protect the lands at BSP "forever" and his biggest concern was that after his passing that despite his statement of his objectives in the Deeds of Trust, subsequent legislatures could do what they pleased under state control. He also realized the "power of the purse" and knew that if he did not set up a long term funding source to fund operations that the legislature could attempt to take control under the auspices of using public money to operate the park. He spent 50 plus years working to try to set up a special purpose entity that would be hard to break his deeds of trust and created and endowment that funds about 60% of the parks budget (the public funds the rest by road fees and user fees)

Fast forward a less than decade from his death and conservationists has the same issue that the legislature was beholden far more to commercial businesses than the general public when the concept of preserving Mt Bigelow rather than turning it into a ski resort. Maine voters used the referendum process to force Maine Government to establish the Bureau of Public lands to preserve land for Maines future. Funds generated by the lands stayed in the BPL budget to try to decouple legislatiuve control. Attempts were Maine to keep these lands managed for the Maine people and set a high hurdle to the legislature to contravene the peoples wishes. It lasted through several administrations until former Governor LePage forced the BPL to start cutting trees to increase revenue well over prior management limits and ordered the money to be handed back to the state which was contrary to the original legislation. The public's memory is fleeting and as exhibited by this transaction, the bureaucracy has a convenient memory when it comes to helping out politically connected businesses. This in on both sides of the aisle.

Luckily, this route is somewhat out of sight/out of mind, maybe some group will take up further strengthening state law but given current policies in Washington, its looking like the FERC is going to be given fast track rights to put in gas and power lines so this may not be the last New England power or gas line built by multinationals under the guise of public benefit. Now the big question is will Mass extend the contract completion date, given the potential for power issues this winter I expect they will sign in heartbeat.

[maineguy]

The residents of Maine have just seen their CMP bill jump by 50%. 50%!

[richard]

The residents of Maine have just seen their CMP bill jump by 50%. 50%!

You get what you ask for !