SPECTRUM NEWS • July 12, 2023
A Missouri company called LS Power sent the letter 3,500 to 4,000 people to explain their approximately 150-mile-long transmission line project to bring electricity generated by wind power to the New England grid. The project has bipartisan support from the highest levels of state government, with Senate President Troy Jackson (D-Allagash), Senate Minority Leader Trey Stewart (R-Presque Isle) and Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat, all on board. The project, which began in 2021 with the PUC asking for companies to bid on a northern Maine transmission route, is vital to helping the state reach its goals to reduce the impacts of climate change. Uncertainty about the route and other questions prompted some Republicans to oppose Jackson’s bill last month that sought legislative approval of the project. Maine has agreed to pay for 60% of the cost of the project and receive 60% of the power. Massachusetts will pick up the other 40% of the cost and benefit.