AUGUSTA, Maine (WGAN) Maine’s Secretary of State says opponents of Central Maine Power’s electricity corridor project have gathered enough signatures for their citizen’s initiative to be put to the legislature, bringing them one step closer to getting the issue on the ballot in November.
Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap on Wednesday confirmed the effort to reject the project has gathered enough valid signatures to move forward; over 69,000. A minimum of 63,067 is required.
The office says the Maine Legislature will now consider the initiative. If they decline to enact it without change, Secretary Dunlap will draft the ballot question and accept public input on the wording.
It would then appear on the ballot for the election in November.
The New England Clean Energy Connect Project has been a source of contention for Mainers since plans for it were announced. Environmentalists say the line, which would deliver hydropower from Canada to Massachusetts, would disrupt wildlife and tourism in the state.
Supporters of the project, like Democrat Governor Janet Mills, say it would benefit Mainers in the form of reduced electricity rates.
