WHAT IS THE CMP CORRIDOR?
Central Maine Power is owned by the Spanish energy giant Iberdrola, as a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc.
Iberdrola/AVANGRID/CMP is planning on building a power line through Maine from Quebec to provide power to Massachusetts.
CMP's powerline will include 53 miles of cutting through the unspoiled wilderness in northwestern Maine.
QUEBEC TO MASS
There Were Three Major Proposals For Hydro Quebec To Bring Power to Massachusetts
Through Vermont
Through New Hampshire
Through Maine
The Vermont Proposal Was Expected To Win.
but.....Massachusetts Chose The Less-Costly NH Proposal
The NH Regulators Denied the Permits, Citing The Damage To the Environment and Tourism.
Massachusetts Chose CMP's Proposal to Build the Power Line Through Maine.
Central Maine Power Devised An Elaborate Scheme To Force The Corridor Project On The People Of Maine.
Before The Citizens Of Maine Were Fully Aware Of The Extent Of The Corridor Project, The Stage Was Set For the Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) To Approve The Project, Influenced By Iberdrola/AVANGRID/CMP Marketing And False Advertising.
CMP Created An "Environmental" Non-Profit Corporation (the Western Mountain And Rivers Corporation) to Lobby For CMP's Corridor Project.
CMP Paid To Have Biased "Economic Studies" Published
The Economic Studies Were Used to Influence the Maine Public Utilities Commission to Approve the Iberdrola/CMP Corridor Project.
CMP Falsely Claims That Maine Will Save $40 million in lower electricity costs, each year.
CMP Falsely Claims That They Will Reduce CO2 In Maine to the Equivalent of Removing 57,000 cars from Maine Roads and Highways.
CMP Falsely Claims That The Iberdrola/CMP Project Will Contribute $564 Million To the Maine Economy.
CMP Falsely Claims That They Will Invest $15 Million for Fiber Optics For Host Communities
CMP Falsely Claimed That They Will Provide 3,500 Jobs in Western Maine at Peak Construction
CMP Falsely Claims that NECEC Will Protect Maine From Seasonal Energy Spikes
CMP Deceptively Claims That Maine Will Receive $18 Million In Property Tax Revenues, to Lower Property Taxes
Fortunately, There Are Easy Alternatives for Massachusetts To Get Clean Energy
CMP needed a way to provide an illusion
of harmony with the environment.
They found it by creating
the Western Mountains and Rivers Corporation.
The next step was to make sure that the directors of
the Western Mountains and Rivers would support the CMP Corridor,
and to pay them well so that they would help promote CMP's Corridor.
August 2017
- WMRC was established as a non-profit.
September 2017
- CMP filed its application for state permits.
May 2018
- CMP gives WMRC $250,000.
The Western Mountains And Rivers Corporation is in Somerset County. The Somerset County Commissioners voted to support CMP's NECEC. One of the commissioners was a director of the Western Mountains and Rivers Corporation.
Heather Johnson was also a director of the Western Mountains And Rivers Corporation. Governor Mills supports CMP's corridor project. Governor Mills appointed Heather Johnson as Maine's Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development.
Peter Mills, Governor Mill's brother, was also a director of the Western Mountains And Rivers Corporation.
CMP Paid To Have Economic Studies Written to Influence the Maine Public Utilities Commission To Approve the CMP Corridor Project
The reports describe CMP's view of the benefits of their corridor project, but they say nothing about the negative impacts to Maine's tourism economy, Maine's fish and wildlife habitat or the impact on future generations.
The reports also leave out that CMP has earned
the "Worst-In-Nation Customer Satisfaction Mark"
for three consecutive years and is an unreliable business partner.
Note that two of the documents say "Redacted", meaning CMP is hiding information that they don't want the citizens of Maine to see.
"NECEC Transmission Project:
Benefits to Maine Ratepayers"
Prepared For: Central Maine Power
Amount CMP Paid To Have This Written:
Amount paid: Undisclosed
Date Published: 27 September 20
The Principal Consultant for this document previously held management and power supply planning positions at Central Maine Power.
"The Economic and Employment Contributions Of The
New England Clean Energy Connect In Maine"
Prepared For: Central Maine Power
CMP Paid $35,000 to have this written.
Published in September 2017, at the same time that CMP filed its application for state permits to build the corridor.
“Independent Analysis of Electricity Market and Macroeconomic Benefits of the New England Clean Energy Connect Project”
The company that wrote this document, is based in Canada (the home of Hydro Quebec)
and in Massachusetts (where the energy from Hydro Quebec is going).
The Maine Public Utilities Commission paid $475,000 for this report on the "benefits", but did not have anyone look into the negative impacts of the project.
If permitted, CMP's corridor really will become as wide as the New Jersey Turnpike. CMP has tried to pretend that it won't be very wide, but that is another one of CMP's lies. Initially, it will be 150 feet wide, but CMP's permit allows for up to 300 feet wide. 300 feet is for future expansion for the next power line after this project is completed.
Per CMP spokesman John Carroll:
"Our real estate rights are 300' wide. You have to look ahead. We don't know what the future will call for. When you create a corridor you want to have the real estate for future projects," Carroll said.
CMP says “fewer impacts to the environment”.
Fewer impacts than what?
CMP will be cutting the corridor through
53 miles of forest to provide power for Massachusetts.
53 miles is the distance from
Newport to Greenville, from Skowhegan to Rangeley, from
Freeport to Waterville and from Waterville to Bangor.
CMP will build the corridor up to 300 feet wide.
Per CMP spokesman John Carroll:
"Our real estate rights are 300' wide. You have to look ahead. We don't know what the future will call for. When you create a corridor you want to have the real estate for future projects," Carroll said.
Image is from CMP's website
as of April 20, 2019
CMP WINS!
The U.S. States with the Most
and Least Power Outages - CMP Takes Maine To The Top of the Worst List
A GOOD FIT FOR MAINE? CMP THINKS SO
Pole Heights In Pownal and Durham
CMP's proposal says that the TYPical Above Ground HeighT (TYP AG HT) for the new 345kV poles will be 95 feet.
However, 345kV poles, per Transmission Hub (see link) are typically between 115 and 150 feet high.
Since no maximum is defined in the proposal, CMP could easily pull a "bait and switch". The poles could be much much higher than the stated 95 feet.
A GOOD FIT FOR MAINE? CMP THINKS SO
Very TALL Poles From Canada To Lewiston
CMP's corridor project is composed of five segments. Segment 1 from Canada to Lewiston includes 5.3.5 miles of new HVDC transmission line corridor within a 150 foot wide cleared corridor within a 300 foot wide right of way. The steel pole structures will average 100 feet tall.
CMP's proposal says that the TYPical Above Ground HeighT (TYP AG HT) for the new 500 kVDC poles will be 100 feet.
However, 500 kVDC poles, per Transmission Hub (see link) are typically between 145 and 180 feet high.
Since no maximum is defined in the proposal, CMP could easily pull a "bait and switch". The poles could be much much higher than the stated 100 feet.
CMP's claim of “Economic Growth” is one of CMP's biggest smoke and mirrors distortion.
When CMP says that they are increasing the state's GDP by $564 million, it means that that the cost of the new poles, cable, DC converter and substation upgrades will cost $564 million. All of that remains the property of CMP. Maine is not receiving $564 million, as CMP would like us to think.
The $15 million for broadband infrastructure is so that CMP can monitor the powerline. CMP is not simply donating $15 million to the towns for new broadband.
Image is from CMP's website
as of April 20, 2019
CMP marketing says that they are making a $200 million investment to enhance renewable energy development and gird reliability.
However, during a Q&A session with CMP in Pownal, ME the CMP spokesman said that the $200 million grid investment is needed for the transmission line to function for the corridor project.
At Pownal’s 4/22/2019 meeting with CMP, CMP’s spokesman indicated that no solar or wind energy will be permitted to provide energy into the 145 mile CMP corridor.
The $200 million is NOT being invested for renewable energy. The $200 million is for CMP's corridor project.
Image is from CMP's website
as of April 20, 2019
CANADIAN MEGADAMS & VOICES OF THE RESISTANCE:
WHY HYDROPOWER IS DIRTY ENERGY
CMP calculates that the citizens of Maine will save $40 million per year if we permit CMP to build the corridor to send the electricity from Quebec to Massachusetts.
In CMP’s eyes, our electricity bills will go down, amounting to $40 million per year.
This is a conveniently unverifiable claim from CMP.
It is just words.
In the unlikely event that it was true, it would only mean a savings of $2.56 per person per month. Enough to buy a coffee every month.
Do we really believe that CMP set up a $140 million rate relief fund and another $50 million for low income customers? Again, just words.
CMP has proven time and time again that their customers are unimportant.
Image is from CMP's website
as of April 20, 2019
CMP's Claims of More Jobs for Mainers
During the Pownal meeting with CMP, the CMP spokesman indicated that there have been a
lot of requests for CMP to make a commitment to hire local Mainers.
The spokesman said
“We have been reluctant to do that.
We have said that there is a preference for Mainers, b
ut for the major contracts, we'll let them out nationally.”
The spokesman continued
“Our expectation is there will be some local contractors, big contractors in Maine, that will bid.
There will be some contractors that will be national, that will bid.”
At that same meeting with CMP in Pownal, the CMP spokesman did mention that
there will be jobs for babysitters. He wasn't joking.
The contracts have gone to:
Irby Construction of Mississippi
Sargent Electric of Pennsylvania
Northern Clearing Inc. of Wisconsin
Cianbro Corporation in Maine has a partnership with the companies that
were awarded the contracts, though it appears that Cianbro's role is
minor in contrast to the out-of-state labor. The labor market in Maine is too tight.
The claim of 3500 jobs was just a marketing trick. Most of the 3500 jobs will come from out of state. CMP's marketing has recently reduced the estimate to 1600 jobs. The actual final number is closer to 38 jobs.
Image is from CMP's website
as of April 20, 2019
BILODEAU OPED:
LOCAL LOGGER QUESTIONS CMP CORRIDOR
I own a small business in Livermore Falls, and do mostly selective cutting of wood lots the old way, with a chainsaw and cable skidder.
In planning to build a new power line through our state, Central Maine Power claims that the project will bring money to the local economy. While there may be some jobs for Maine people while it’s under construction, just how many is the question. Furthermore, how many jobs will be permanent and have a lasting effect on Maine’s economy?
For starters, the winning bid for the clearing of all the trees was granted to an out-of-state company. I know there are plenty of competent land management and land clearing companies right here in Maine. Many are already listed as vendors with CMP.
Why, if this project is supposed to bolster the state’s economy and provide local jobs, has CMP contracted with an out-of-state company for land clearing? Not only does it bring some of its own workers, it even uses a lot of its own equipment. Some fuel is bought in bulk, limiting the sales for local fuel companies.
What concerns me the most is how the project is funded. CMP claims it comes at no cost to Maine people. I think we shouldn’t forget that CMP as an entity is funded by Maine people.
The forest products industry in Maine has taken a big hit these days, between the era of electronics and Internet, COVID-19, and the loss of the digester at the Jay mill. Many forest product companies are left wondering what to do. Maine’s forest products industry accounted for an estimated $2.7 billion of Maine’s economy in 2016. If any of the lumber is sold from the massive amounts of wood being decimated from the clearing of this project, it will drown the already-flooded wood commodity market.
The alternative is to chip in place, or chip and haul off. If that’s the case, how many tons of carbon-filtering, oxygen-producing, renewable trees will go to waste while being left to rot, producing methane gas? While normal amounts of wood waste left after a sustainable harvest is considered good for erosion control and for providing nutrients for trees left standing, decimation of miles of timberland to never have trees growing on it again does not promote a healthy sustainable forest.
In fact, one market that it will directly affect is the biomass industry. We have a plant right here in Livermore Falls. They burn a combination of otherwise wasted wood and clean building demolition to produce 284,000 net megawatt hours of electricity. This is done cleanly and makes use of a product that would otherwise take up space in landfills or be wasted in the woods. Not to mention the market it creates for local sawmills to sell waste product like slabs and sawdust, which keeps the cost of lumber down.
With this new corridor getting power from out of country, where lax regulations exist in the hydro industry, it threatens the ability for companies like this to compete in the power market. Not to mention the local property tax this entire ecosystem generates locally, as well as the local jobs this provides our community day after day and year after year.
Once the trees are harvested from the corridor, the only real lasting job left for Mainers is for the companies that annually or biannually hire workers to ride the miles of barren land on ATVs, spraying anything that is growing with herbicide down 100-plus miles of what was once a flourishing forested ecosystem.
The plan for this corridor has certainly prompted concerns from many of Maine’s citizens. As a logger, I would urge everyone to think about what’s really the best compromise for producing and distributing electricity, while doing it in a green and sustainable way.
When managed properly, trees are a renewable resource.
Is CMP managing the forest they “own” sustainably? Is the power line really “green?”
Bryce Bilodeau of Livermore Falls is a self-employed logger.
Another baseless claim from CMP is that their corridor project will reduce CO2 emissions.
In order to meet CMP's estimates, Massachusetts would need to shut down many of its 33 Natural Gas fired power plants.
According the the CMP spokesman, CMP can't guarantee that the power plants be shut down. That decision is up to the owners of those power plants. It is not the decision of CMP or Massachusetts regulators.
In addition, on May 31, 2019, the Pilgrim Nuclear power plant in Massachusetts was permanently shut down, removing 680 Megawatts of generation.
Massachusetts will need those natural gas power plants to stay online, even if a corridor to bring power from Quebec to Massachusetts is built.
Building the CMP corridor in Maine would actually result in slightly dirtier air, due to the miles of trees that will be lost that would not be absorbing CO2.
Image is from CMP's website
as of April 20, 2019
CMP Promises Tax Benefits?
CMP can throw out any number to say that they are providing tax benefits to Maine. CMP cannot be trusted. Lewiston is the only place that may financially benefit from CMP's corridor.
If Lewiston's mayor and city council want to sell out their citizens for money, that is their choice.
Most of the towns along CMP's corridor oppose it, and have chosen to not sell out.
Image is from CMP's website
as of April 20, 2019
During the Pownal meeting with CMP, the CMP spokesman said
that CMP is a taxpayer like us, and will negotiate the value of the substation.
In the past, CMP has been very successful in
reducing the value of their assets so that they will pay less.
CMP has proven time and again that they cannot be trusted and that they will do anything to maximize their profits at the expense of their customers, the towns and the State of Maine.
$85 Mil – CMP Estimated Value
$85 Mil @ $16.50/1000 = $1.4 Mil (Year 1)
$85 Mil @ $11.98/1000 = $1.0 Mil
$60 Mil – CMP Negotiated Value (est)
$60 Mil @ $16.60/1000 = $990K (Year 1)
$60 Mil @ $11.98/1000 = $718K
For Pownal, due to the school funding formula, there could be an increase in our property taxes, or a minor decrease at best. For Durham, the new revenue estimate is only $62,000 at most, if we can trust CMP's estimates.
CMP Claims Cleaner Air For Maine?
This is another deceptive tactic by CMP to try to show a benefit for Maine, when there is no benefit for Maine.
Maine has serious air quality issues, but mostly due to the prevailing winds across the United States. Most of the air pollution in Maine comes to us from the mid-western states.
Little air pollution blows from
Massachusetts to Maine.
CMP's will not improve the air quality for Maine, but it will increase the $$ for Spain's Iberdrola/Avangrid/CMP corporation.
Impacts on Fishing
TOWNS OPPOSED TO THE CORRIDOR
Mainers Want LOCAL Control On Permitting Decisions
For The CMP Corridor
Alna
Anson
Caratunk*
Chesterville
Dennistown
Durham
Embden*
Eustis
Farmington
Greenville
Industry
Jackman
Jay
Livermore Falls
Moose River
Moscow
New Sharon*
Pownal
Rome
Starks
The Forks
West Forks
Wilton
Woolwich
Rescinded Support Of The Corridor
Wiscasett
Franklin County Commissioners
Androscoggin County Commissioners
*moratorium
BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS OPPOSED TO THE CORRIDOR
Please Support These Businesses That Oppose CMP's Corridor
Allagash Canoe Trips
Aurora Contracting
Berrygraphics
Big Al’s
Big Pine Consulting
Birches Resort on Moosehead Lake
Blue Heron Fly Fishing
Bonnevie Machine Shop
Bourret Investments
Brookfield White Pine Hydro
Bubbles & Bean Children’s Consignment
Bubbles & Bean Consignment Store
Bucksport Generation
Bull Run Guide Service
Cakes by Heather
Calpine Corporation
Chaga Mountain, Inc
Connelly Outdoors Consulting
Crowley Energy
CT Marine
Cyp Johnson Heating
Dead River Expeditions
Dynegy, Inc
Eldredge Brothers Fly Shop
Eldredge Lumber & Hardware
Environment Maine
Four Peaks Guide Service
Franklin County Commissioners - rescinded
Friends of Sebago Lake
Friends of the Boundary Mountains
George’s Banana Stand
Grace Pond Subdivision Owners Road Association
Great Old Broads for Wilderness
Greater Franklin Development Council
Grey Ghost Construction
Grey Ghost Insulation
Gull Boat Charters
Hawk’s Nest Lodge
Hidden Treasure Maple Syrup
Howe Family Farm
Hussey’s General Store
Indra Holistic Studio
Insource Renewables
Integrity Builders
Integrity Sales and Service
Island Carpentry
JE Shelley Logging & Excavation
Jeff Ireland, Maine Fly Fishing Guide
Jimmy’s Market
Kamp-Kamp Store
Kennebec Kayak
Kennebec River Anglers
Kingfisher River Guides
L. M. Electrical
Lake Parlin Lodge
Lakes Region Boat & RV Storage
LEAP
Libby’s Lions
Little Hands of the Future Daycare
Magic Falls Rafting Company
Maine Appalachian Mountain Club
Maine Assessment & Appraisal Services
Maine Audubon
Maine Council of Trout Unlimited
Maine Department of IF&W
Maine Guide Service
Maine Renewable Energy Association
Maine Rivers
Maine Wilderness Guides Association
Maine-iac Maple Farm
Melissa Herrick Photography
Mile 10 Owners Road Association
Minot Country Store
Moose River Handcrafts
Moose River Outpost
Moosehead Marketplace
Moosehead Region Futures Committee
Mossy Ledge Spirits
Moxie Outdoor Adventures
Moxie Pond East Homeowners Association
Natural Resources Council of Maine
New England Backcountry Hunters & Anglers
New England Outdoor Center
New England Power Generators Association
NextEra Energy Resources
NLC Ink
No Power Cord through ME Facebook Group
North American Whitewater
North Country Rivers
North Cove Construction
Northeast Emblematic
Northeast Guide Service
Northern Pines Construction
Northwood’s Outfitters
Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway
PalletOne
Pamola Creative
Pat’s Convenience Store
Patagonia
Paws Applause
Percy’s Hardware
Rapid Shooters Maine
RE-Books
RENEW Northeast
Richmond Farm and Garden
Rise and Shine Consulting
Riverdrivers Campground
Roger Merchant Photography
Rollin’ Fatties
Roody’s Family Tradition Guide Service
Route 201 Powersports
Saving Maine
Sawyer’s Maple Farm
Say NO to NECEC Facebook Group
Scenic By Wash and Dry
Second Nature Tree Service
Shamrock Farm
Sierra Club Maine
Spirit of the Woods Inc
Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine
Stone*Hendge Restoration
Stop the Corridor
Styling Dog
Sunrise Ridge Guide Service and Sporting Camps
Superior Boundary Line Renewal
T5 R7 BKP WKR
Taste of Maine
The Green Store
The House Moose
The Last Resort Cabins & Campground
The Nature Conservancy Maine
The Rack
The White Elephant
Thomas Woodworks
Through the Owl’s Eyes
Todd Harrison Construction
Townsend & Townsend
Townsend Marine Design
Townsend Real Estate
Trout Unlimited
Upper Enchanted Road Owners Association
US Rafting
VJB Services, LLC
West Forks Vacation
CMP BILLING PROBLEMS?
The old meters (like the one on the left) were mechanical, and were
very difficult to modify without damaging the meter.
The homeowner could easily check how much energy had been used.
The new meters that CMP installed (like the one on the right) are “Smart” power meters. The system is easy to remotely configure, including modifications to change the electric bill.
If the power usage data is changed, the homeowner will never know.
The homeowner can do nothing about it, because it's all “in the computer” at CMP.
Pownal - New Fickett Road Substation
Per the Fickett Road Substation design, the area that will be covered and impervious will be 3.9 acres. First, the trees will be cut that partially shield the current substation from the Vosmus residence on Fickett Road. The main entrance will nearly be opposite the Vosmus residence.
Per the design document at the link below, the size will be 584 feet x 272 feet. Step 1 is "Strip organic material 12 inches below existing grade." That is 5833 yards of soil, and would be 364 round trip truck loads in a tri-axle 16 yard dump truck.
Step 2 is to bring in 18 inches of gravel. That is 8825 yards or 551 round trip loads in a 16 yard tri-axle dump truck.
Step 3 is to bring in 6 inches of stone. That would be 2942 yards or 183 round trip loads in a 16 yard tri-axle dump truck.
That is nearly 1000 loads (2000 round trips) on Pownal and Durham roads!
Those trips are only for the cement and gravel trucks, not counting the many other large construction vehicles.
Gravel can come from several locations over many roads in Pownal, Durham and Grey/New Glouster/Freeport and Yarmouth. Trips trough Durham will probably be on the Runaround Pond Road to the Fickett Road in Pownal. Trips through Pownal will come from many directions, with the most likely being Elmwood Roadd to the Lawrence Road to Fickett Road. An alternate may be Poland Range Roads to Fickett Road. Either way, many of Pownal's and Durham's roads will be destroyed.
What plans to Pownal and Durham have in place to make sure that Iberdrola/Avangrid/CMP/Mills pays for the damage? They will certainly do their best to make the towns pay for the repairs.
Pownal Residents Need to Be Wary of Anything That CMP Says
CMP quotes a report that says that Pownal can expect a $4.52 per 1000 tax reduction if CMP’s Massachusetts power line project is approved. That means that a $300,000 house in Pownal, that is currently paying $4950 in taxes will only have to pay $3594 in taxes.
However, like most things with CMP, they don’t tell the truth.
First, the report that CMP gets their information from, was paid for by CMP! Really! CMP paid $70,000 to have the report written. John Carroll, the Iberdrola/Avangrid/CMP spokesman that represents CMP at nearly every town meeting, was asked about who paid to have the report written. Knowing that we already knew the answer, John Carroll admitted that CMP paid to have the report written. Remember when the tobacco industry paid to have reports written that indicated that smoking cigarettes was good for you? We can trust CMP like we can trust the tobacco industry.
The report“THE ECONOMIC AND EMPLOYMENT CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE NEW ENGLAND CLEAN ENERGY CONNECT IN MAINE”
Second, the report that CMP paid for does not take into account the RSU5 School Funding Formula. The state currently pays $382,508 on behalf of Pownal, to the RSU5 school budget. In order for Pownal to see any reduction in tax revenue from CMP, CMP’s investment in Pownal would need to exceed $46 Million. Now, since CMP says that they are going to invest $86 Million, it looks like Pownal would still net the tax benefit from the $40 Million difference, and it would IF CMP was going to invest $86 Million and IF CMP was not going to negotiate the value of the Ficket Road installation down from $86 Million. When asked about that issue at the Pownal Select Board meeting, CMP’s John Carroll said “like any taxpayer, we are very good at negotiating”.
Third: At the May TIF discussion with our Select Board, Pownal Tax Assessor and concerned citizens, the Pownal Tax Assessor cautioned that the Town of Monmouth was promised TBD from CMP, and Monmouth budgeted for that amount, only to have CMP reduce the value of the asset to TBD. Monmouth has to cancel most of the project that they had planned to use the promised money on.
Fourth: CMP recently installed a facility in Windsor, Maine that is nearly identical to the one that is proposed for the Pownal Fickett Road. Rather than costing $86 million, the cost was only $52 million. The $34 million difference is very likely being used by CMP to make the deal look much better for Pownal than it really is.
At the Pownal Conservation Committee meeting in May, CMP spoke to the committee, and the CMP engineer indicated that the scope of the plan may be reduced significantly. The $50 million STATCOM may be installed at some other location, meaning the project may only be adding or changing poles and wires.
Fifth: While CMP says that Pownal will see a $4.52 per 1000 tax reduction, Tim Giddinge (former Town Selectman) calculated the reduction to closer to $2 per 1000. Tim’s numbers were taking CMP at their word (of $86 Million of investment). If, as expected, CMP installs a much smaller facility, then there would be no tax reduction for Pownal home and property owners.
BURY THE POWERLINE UNDERGROUND
There Is A Choice. Instead of Damaging the Environment, Fishing Habitat, Views, Property Values and Tourism, Go Underground
Bury cable in the ground, as would be done in the proposal from Vermont. The permits have already been approved, and the people of Vermont want the powerline. The project could start tomorrow, if Massachusetts chose Vermont.
Bury powelines along roadway, as is often done with High Voltage DC Powerlines. Underground powerlines would would be more reliable. They would not be damaged from ice or falling trees, and are less likely to be destroyed by vandalism or terrorism.
Many reasons in the image below for the powerline to be underground, in Vermont, where the powerline is wanted by the residents and has all of the necessary permits.
DO YOU BELIEVE CMP?
To Sell the Project, CMP Used Biased Reports and Paid To Have The Reports Written for CMP.
CMP Falsely Claims That Maine Will Save $40 million in lower electricity costs, each year.
CMP Falsely Claims That They Will Reduce CO2 In Maine to the Equivalent of Removing 57,000 cars from Maine Roads and Highways.
CMP Falsely Claims That That Their Project Will Contribute $564 Million To the Maine Economy.
CMP Falsely Claims That They Will Provide 3,500 Jobs in Western Maine at Peak Construction
CMP is Deceptively Marketing That Maine Will Have Lower Property Taxes
Iberdrola/Avangrid/CMP Cannot Be Trusted
CMP'S CORRIDOR ADVERTISING SPENDING
CMP Should Instead Spend On Improvements That Help Prevent The Constant Outages
A SOLUTION
The Vermont Proposal Is Still Available To Massachusetts.
All Permits are Approved!
Vermonters Want the Project!
All Cables Are Underground!
CMP - EXPERTS AT DECEPTION
While digging deeper into the scam that Iberdrola/Avangrid/CMP/Mills
are trying to force onto the citizens of Maine, we came across the
"Electric and Magnetic Fields (“EMF”) Study for the NECEC" that CMP
submitted to the Maine Public Utilities Commission. It turns out that
the author is Dr. William Bailey of Exponent.
Exponent is a company that employs "scientists and engineers" to
discredit nearly anything for anyone that needs something discredited.
For example, if you needed to prove that the Earth was flat in order
to get a construction permit, you would hire Exponent. Seriously.
They are known as "hired guns".
"Opponents say Exponent’s scientists and engineers routinely bend
conclusions to the needs of clients, noting that the company in the
1990s supported the tobacco industry in denying the lung cancer risk
of secondhand smoke. The firm’s forte, they say, is “doubt
science”—muddying the waters by attacking research showing evidence of
harm, highlighting or exaggerating scientific uncertainties about
health hazards, and calling for more research to delay action. The
result, critics say, is a pro-industry imprint on scientific
literature."
How bad radiation from power lines (or your cell phone) is to humans
will forever be debated. The fact remains that the companies that CMP
contracted with, were hired for
their ability to deceive the MPUC and the citizens of Maine. You can
be sure that most of the testimony that CMP provided was very
carefully crafted to deceive.
Exponent was hired to battle in NH to promote the Northern Pass
project in NH. NH didn't fall for the trick, so Massachusetts moved to Maine for CMP's NECEC project.
https://the-law-is-my-oyster.com/2017/05/05/bill-bailey-hes-unbelievable/
Modeling of the Electrical Environment New England Clean Energy Connect Transmission Project