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
