Maine votes to block CMP's transmission corridor, likely teeing up litigation

[TexasTowelie]

Maine voters have approved a ballot initiative to retroactively block the controversial Central Maine Power transmission corridor project, dealing a potential death blow to the latest efforts to bring an influx of Canadian hydropower onto the New England grid.

The “yes” side of the referendum was declared the winner with just under 60% percent of the vote and more than half of Maine precincts reporting just before 10 p.m. Tuesday, capping the most expensive referendum campaign in state history.

The Natural Resources Council of Maine was a leading opponent of the corridor and supporter of the referendum, along with groups like the Sierra Club and fossil fuel-fired power plant owners like NextEra, which would compete with the CMP project on the region’s energy market.

The nonprofit NRCM said in a statement soon after the race was called that the referendum’s outcome was a decisive call for CMP to “terminate” work on the power line.

Read more: https://spectrumlocalnews.com/me/maine/news/2021/11/03/maine-votes--yes--on-question-1

[elleng]

1. THANKS, was up there and kept hearing about this,

and tried to understand it.

[TexasTowelie]

2. The actors in this scenario are not in their usual roles.

For example, the Sierra Club is in favor of clearing forestland for the transmission lines.

The issue of Massachusetts also wanting to claim climate control goals with the corridor is another influence that is unusual.

[OAITW r.2.0]

3. Pro-CMP outspent the No's 10 to 1.

They lost 59-41. People spoke. What/how MEPUC deals with the existing contract, STBD.