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Regulators Could Decide Key Permit for CMP Project This Week

Fred Bever
/
Maine Public
The peak of Coburn Mountain in western Maine overlooks woods through which CMP would construct its transmission line.

Maine’s top energy regulators are scheduling “special deliberations” to consider a key permit for Central Maine Power’s proposed transmission line through western Maine.

The Maine Public Utilities Commission added the item to its calendar for this Thursday, after parties to the case filed their final briefs on Monday.

The three-member panel must decide whether the 145-mile project, including 53 miles of new-cut corridor through the state’s western forests, should receive a “Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity.” CMP is also seeking state environmental permits for the controversial project, which would bring hydroelectricity from Canada into the regional grid, to serve Massachusetts customers.

Originally published April 8, 2019 at 4:03 p.m. ET.

A Columbia University graduate, Fred began his journalism career as a print reporter in Vermont, then came to Maine Public in 2001 as its political reporter, as well as serving as a host for a variety of Maine Public Radio and Maine Public Television programs. Fred later went on to become news director for New England Public Radio in Western Massachusetts and worked as a freelancer for National Public Radio and a number of regional public radio stations, including WBUR in Boston and NHPR in New Hampshire.