Maine's High Court Temporarily Bars Construction On Disputed Section Of CMP Corridor

Maine Public | By Fred Bever

Published September 18, 2021 at 10:01 AM EDT

Central Maine Power has been clearing trees and laying timber mats as part of its early work on a transmission line from Quebec to the regional grid.

Maine's Supreme Judicial Court is temporarily barring construction on a disputed mile-long section of Central Maine Power's controversial transmission line.

The high court's order is in effect while the justices consider the company's appeal of a decision that voided a state lease for the lands in question.

CMP is calling that a win. In a press statement, the company says it will allow continued work on the rest of 141-mile corridor without fear of near-term legal challenges based on uncertainty about the ultimate fate of the lease.

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Fred Bever

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.

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