MAINE PUBLIC • October 27, 2021
Central Maine Power's rapid buildout of its disputed powerline through western Maine continues to gather momentum, just days ahead of a statewide referendum that aims to terminate the project. The utility's parent company, Avangrid, is the American arm of Spain-based energy giant Iberdrola. During an earnings call on Wednesday, CEO Dennis Arriola says he is confident the CMP project will clear the various hurdles it still faces in court, at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and, next Tuesday, at the ballot box. And he's telling investors that confidence is reflected in money already spent on project construction, which hit the $400 million mark last month. "We're making good progress. Over 75% of the corridor has been cleared.”