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There has been a decades-long ambition to connect Maine's northernmost county with New England's electric grid. The termination of the Northern Maine Transmission line contract provides an opportunity to reflect and explore how the next iteration might serve Maine and the New England Energy economy.
Legislation had required the Public Utilities Commission to seek proposals for both renewable energy generation and a high-voltage transmission line to connect it to the New England grid. The PUC selected a $2.0B, 170-turbine wind farm with a capacity of 1,000 megawatts, or enough electricity to power 450,000 homes (Maine has 750,000 housing units), and a $1.5B, 1,200 MW, 160-mile-long power transmission line known as the Northern Maine Transmission Line or the Aroostook Renewable Gateway to deliver the power. After Massachusetts policymakers subsequently agreed to share 40% of the electricity and the cost of the two projects, the PUC ordered Maine's utilities to enter into contracts reflecting the selected proposals. Subsequent 2023 legislation required the PUC to solicit additional supply over used capacity on the Aroostook Renewable Gateway, which together, would have boosted the local economy with the construction of the transmission line, wind and (potentially) solar and biomass power plants.
Although supported by the Governor, the PUC, and others, several factors led to the demise of the transmission line. A new proposal is likely. This webinar provides an opportunity to look at similar projects in other regions and also reflect and explore how the next iteration might best serve Maine and the New England energy economy.
Join us online to hear from industry experts Bob Grace and Po-Yu Yuen. They work for Sustainable Energy Advantage, a national leader in development, analysis and implementation of clean energy policies and markets. Bob has 25 years of experience as their Managing Director & President and Po-Yu has 13 years experience as their Senior Consultant & Market Analytics Manager.
This is a public event, so invitations can be forwarded to others. The Zoom link will be sent to registered participants a few days prior to the event.
Questions? You can reach us at info@e2tech.org or 207-800-TECH.
Thank you to our Sponsor!
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E2Tech Sustaining Partners (as of 2/1/2024)
SUSTAINING LEADERS: Bernstein Shur, Burns & McDonnell, Central Maine Power, Orsted, SMRT Architects & Engineers
SUSTAINING STEWARDS: Arcadia, Berry Dunn, BRI Environmental, Consulate General of Canada, Cianbro, Credere Associates, DNV GL, East Brown Cow, Eaton Peabody, ECI, EDP Renewables, Generac, GZA, Hydro Quebec, Key Capture Energy, LS Power, Maine Community Solar, Northeast Bank, Ocean Renewable Power Company, Perkins Thompson, Pierce Atwood, PowerMarket, Preti Flaherty, Quebec Government Office in Boston, Ramboll, ReVision Energy, RLC, Royal River Heat Pumps, Sandborn, Head & Associates, Sebago Technics, Sevee & Maher Engineers, Stantec, Summit Natural Gas, Tetra Tech, TRC, Verrill and VHB
SUSTAINING INDIVIDUAL DONORS: Several Committed Mainers and Friends
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