PORTLAND, Maine - The leader of a bipartisan group of Maine lawmakers who traveled to Canada to learn about hydroelectric power production believes it could fill some of New England's energy needs.
House Republican leader Ken Fredette, chairman of the Maine Canadian Legislative Advisory Commission, was joined by four other members last week in Labrador, where they toured hydropower facilities at Churchill Falls and Muskrat Falls.
New England governors are expected to release requests for proposals in coming months for renewable power. Several plans that are being created in anticipation of the request call for bringing in hydropower from Canada.
Fredette said Tuesday the region is at a critical time with closings of nuclear power plants in Vermont and Massachusetts. He said hydropower is "reliable, renewable and provides a favorable cost to the ratepayer."