FAQ
CMP invests many millions of dollars annually to maintain and operate the existing transmission system across Maine to meet the needs of its customers. In order to ensure long-term reliability, CMP must carefully plan for the future and make appropriate investments in basic transmission infrastructure in order to maintain the required level of reliability.
CMPs 345kV transmission system was built and put into service in 1971 and has served the area well for nearly 40 years. Maturing infrastructure and growing electric power needs over the last four decades have raised power quality and reliability concerns for the future. CMP and the Independent System Operator for New England (ISO-NE) have identified certain needs for the transmission system which must be evaluated and addressed to ensure that this system can continue to serve the area well in the future. To read more about these needs, visit the Need for Reliability page.
The MPRP Study Group conducted technical evaluations to assess how possible combinations of transmission projects would perform during normal peak loads and possible outage scenarios and how those options would support future flexibility.
More than 250,000 performance scenarios were evaluated. The study identified ten transmission alternatives, in various combinations, as possible solutions. CMP selected a transmission solution (the MPRP) based on a number of factors including electrical performance, cost effectiveness, impacts to landowners and the environment, and system strength in relation to projected electric demand.
Additionally, potential non-transmission alternatives were studied, including energy conservation and efficiency programs.
For more information on these studies, you can download the Non-Transmission Alternatives (NTA) Forum slide presentation (April 7, 2008. PDF 1.4 MB)
The findings of this study were factored into the final MPRP proposal that was submitted to the Maine Public Utilities Commission on July 1, 2008 for review and approval.
Before construction could begin, the MPRP was required to obtain a number of federal, state and local approvals from regulatory groups and impacted municipalities. To find a specific permit, visit the Permitting and Approvals page.
The Maine Power Reliability Program is estimated to cost $1.4 billion, with approximately 8% to be borne by Maine electric ratepayers.
CMP is a member of the Independent System Operator for New England (ISO-NE), a nonprofit organization that operates and manages the region's power system. Under the ISO-NE tariff agreement, most bulk transmission projects are considered regional investments and the costs of construction and maintenance are shared with other participating New England utilities and their customers.
Under the current ISO-NE calculations, CMP customers use approximately 8% of the power consumed by New England, and therefore bear 8% of regional program costs. The remaining 92% is paid by ratepayers in the other five New England states.
New transmission lines will be constructed in existing power line corridors, however, some corridors will have to be widened to accommodate the new lines, especially along routes in central Maine. The new substations and many major substation expansions will be constructed on newly-acquired land, while most substation upgrades will take place in CMP's existing yard.
Agreements for the acquisition or use of land necessary to build the project have already been initiated and are almost complete. During some of these real estate agreements, CMP needed to purchase land that may no longer be necessary once the project has been completed. If CMP decides to sell this land, it will be listed in your local directories.
Looking for project information about the Maine Power Reliability Program in your community? Select your town or city from the drop-down list to find construction updates, permits, maps and more.
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