BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 13, 2023
Work has resumed on the $1 billion hydropower project through western Maine, but it still is not clear who will pay for the up to $500 million in additional costs caused by legal and construction delays, causing some supporters to become impatient. Public Advocate William Harwood expressed concern Friday about the construction delays and projected cost increases for the project that is being spearheaded by Central Maine Power’s parent company Avangrid and Hydro-Quebec. Contracts must be renegotiated to consider the added costs, and Massachusetts lawmakers need to approve that. Despite lawmakers including provisions in their spending bills to allow changes, a slimmed-down budget passed recently without them. That means the project has resumed without knowing if or how the additional costs will be covered.