AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) Central Maine Power will invest $22 million in conservation projects in response to the negative environmental impacts of a transmission project.
The Portland Press Herald reports the utility and the Maine nonprofit Western Mountains & Rivers announced the plan Wednesday.
CMP’s proposed New England Clean Energy Connect project will bring power from Quebec to Massachusetts through a 145-mile transmission line.
Environmental advocates say the line will affect activity on the Kennebec River and parts of the Appalachian Trail. Some say the agreement doesn’t do enough and is just a publicity stunt.
CMP vice president of business development Thorn Dickinson says the company is still considering whether to install the transmission line over the river or underneath. Dickinson says CMP favors the overhead option because it will have the least impact.
