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CMP Powerline Opponents File Petition Language To Force Statewide Vote

Opponents of Central Maine Power’s controversial plan to build a new transmission line through western Maine have quietly submitted language that could lead to a statewide vote on the project.

“It appears to basically direct the members of the Public Utilities Commission to declare that this is not in the best interest of the people of Maine,” says Maine Secretary of State Mat Dunlap.

Dunlap says former Wilton state Sen. Tom Saviello is the lead member of a group of opponents seeking approval to circulate petitions on the question. If after review and possible revision, Dunlap approves the language, the petitioners will need to secure more than 63,000 certified signatures by mid-February to get the question on the ballot in Nov. 2020.

Saviello and CMP officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

Originally published 5:48 p.m. Aug. 30, 2019

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.