PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • December 13, 2021
Recently the CEOs of Avangrid, New England Clean Energy and Central Maine Power sent a letter to Gov. Janet Mills stating their displeasure with her decision to ask that construction cease on the NECEC. Hundreds of volunteers gathered over 80,000 signatures to get the question on the ballot, with signatures coming from nearly every town in Maine. This effort was rewarded with more than 240,000 Mainers casting “yes” votes to reject high voltage electric transmission lines like the NECEC project. Having worked in the paper industry for 33 years, I’ve come across many CEOs. Even the worst never exhibited the arrogance Avangrid/NECEC/CMP has displayed by ignoring the clear will of their Mine customers, destroying some of Maine’s most precious habitat resources and sending that shameful letter to Gov. Mills. The governor and I are on opposite sides of the NECEC project, but we have expressed that disagreement in a respectful manner. Her request for an operational suspension was appropriate. CMP, Avangrid and NECEC owe Gov. Mills, and the voters of Maine, a sincere apology for their ongoing misconduct. ~ Tom Saviell, former legislator from Wilton and a leader in the Question 1 campaign