Sportsman's Alliance of Maine withdraws support for CMP transmission project

Courtesy / CMP Map showing Central Maine Power's New England Clean Energy Connect transmission proposal to connect Hydro-Quebec power to the New England power grid.

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The Sportsman's Alliance of Maine is rescinding its support for Central Maine Power Co.'s $950 million New England Clean Energy Connect transmission line project proposed for western Maine.

The proposed 145-mile transmission to deliver hydro-power from Canada to serve customers in Massachusetts is making its way through a regulatory process that includes reviews by Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the Maine Public Utilities Commission.

Maine Public reported that SAM’s board of directors voted a year ago to endorse the project and support CMP’s permit applications with regulators. But SAM Executive Director David Trahan told Maine Public’s Fred Bever that its members in a recent survey expressed “overwhelming” opposition to the project based on concerns about impacts on winter deer yards and trout streams, among other woodland values.

Trahan said SAM has consulted with a biologist and will be examining closely CMP’s proposal and weigh in as necessary during the permitting process.

CMP spokesman John Carroll told Maine Public that SAM’s decision to rescind support did not necessarily mean the sportsmen’s group was formally opposed to the project.

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