PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • January 27, 2025
Political and legal disputes in Maine that delayed construction of the New England Clean Energy Connect transmission line will add more than $500 million to Massachusetts ratepayers’ bills, Bay State regulators said Monday. The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities announced a settlement between utilities, which approves higher costs brought on by project delays and does not include legal fees related to the challenges. More than 34% of construction is completed, and the project is expected to come on line in 2026. Advocates say the NECEC contract will reduce overall rates because a new source of electricity being delivered to the region will bring down the market price.