PORTLAND, Maine (AP) A Maine utility has agreed to give $50 million to energy assistance programs in Massachusetts as a condition of winning a bid to build a transmission line.

Central Maine Power will give money to programs that benefit low-income electric customers. The money will be paid out over 40 years as a condition of the bid CMP won to build a high-voltage transmission line from Quebec through Maine.

The Portland Press Herald reviewed documents filed with the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities on Tuesday that included disclosure about the aid. The Press Herald reports Maine’s Public Advocate Barry Hobbins says the deal raises questions about why Maine isn’t being offered similar assistance.

A spokesman for CMP parent company Avangrid says the payment is part of a specific policy required by Massachusetts.