Benton, Maine

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The scope of work as a part of the Maine Power Reliability Program in Benton consists of the construction of a new substation, and transmission line upgrades within existing transmission line corridors.

Albion Road Substation: The MPRP project in Benton includes the construction of a new 345/115kV substation. The new substation will be located on a 60-acre parcel owned by CMP on Albion Road approximately 650 feet north of the Albion Road. A total of 11.4 acres will be permanently developed to include the 10.4 acre substation yard (approximately 650’x700’) and the new gravel access road located on the Albion Road.

The substation yard will include construction of control house, approximately 32 x 80 feet in size, to be located near the center of the yard.

The purpose of the substation will be to step down voltage from 345 kV to 115 kV and to provide switching capacity, a common process that involves the transfer or discontinuance of electrical load to other substation equipment or overhead lines for maintenance work and during line outages. The new substation will provide a needed supply source and improved voltage regulation to this part of the state. A total of five 115 kV terminations and two 345 kV terminations will interconnect at the substation. System reliability will be greatly improved by this added infrastructure and the current system risks of extensive area outages will be greatly diminished by the added electrical supply.

Transmission Lines: The construction of approximately 4.3 miles of new 345 kV transmission line on H-frame structures approximately 75 feet in height will take place on the west side of the existing corridor next to an existing 115kV line that runs north to south from Clinton to the Winslow town lines.

Additionally, the upgrading of transmission lines will include the rebuilding of approximately 0.2 miles of existing 115 kV line (Section 67) where the line enters the new substation from the north on monopole structures approximately 75 feet in height and the rebuilding of approximately 1.1 miles of existing 115kV line from the new substation to the Winslow Town line on monopole structures approximately 75 feet in height in between the existing 115 kV line and the new 345 kV line.

Permits & Approvals

Benton Planning Board Approval

10/13/2009

Approval of permits by planning board
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Benton Conditional Use Permit Approval

09/08/2009

Approval of permit by planning board and/or CEO
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Benton Land Use Permit Approval

09/08/2009

Approval of permit by planning board and/or CEO
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Benton Albion Rd Substation Sub-Surface Waste Water Permit

07/29/2009

Permit for rainwater drainage tank at Albion Rd Substation
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Benton Permit Application

07/06/2009

Application submitted to town for necessary permits
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News & Events

Portland Press Herald reports on MPRP Milestone!

May 16, 2012

The delivery of the Larrabee Road Substation Autotransformer
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Delivery of Larrabee Road Substation Autotransformer Saturday, May 19

May 12, 2012

Attention travelers! Possible delays on Route 202 between Greene and Lewiston
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Bangor Daily News reports on the progress of the MPRP

May 02, 2012

CMP’s $1.4 billion upgrade project on schedule and budget
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Installation of a 345 kV structure in Benton

April 04, 2012

The installation will occur north of Albion Road Substation
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Construction update for Albion Road Substation

March 05, 2012

Construction continues
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Albion Road Substation entrance work

September 12, 2011

Construction is ongoing as contractors focus on installing equipment and finishing entrance road
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Minor traffic delays in Benton on Albion Road

August, 23 2011

Roadway reconstruction of Albion Road in Benton is scheduled to begin early next month
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Crew Saves Detroit Barn

August 10, 2011

Anthony Iannello and Jared Haney, L.E. Myers Co., fought a barn fire on Troy Rd. in Detroit while returning from MPRP jobsite.
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Albion Road Autotransformer Delivered

August 11, 2011

Photos of the massive 345-kV autotransformer being delivered to Benton from Searsport.
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Autotransformer is en-route to Albion Road Substation

July, 28 2011

Autotransformer is en-route to Albion Road Substation
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Surveying from Windsor to Benton

July, 28 2011

Crews are surveying and flagging the Section 67 corridor from Windsor to Benton
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Transmission & Distribution World features MPRP!

July 15, 2011

"Jobs Meet Reliability" - How the MPRP is Strengthening Maine's Grid and Economy
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CMP donates Mud Pond to Stanton Bird Club

July 15, 2011

241 acres of land surrounding Mud Pond in Monmouth transferred for conservation
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CMP's Policies Manage Osprey Nests Responsibly

July 12, 2011

Hundreds of ospreys nest on our utility poles. We share your concerns for the safety of these birds, and our company has policies and personnel in place to manage these nests responsibly.
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Site development continues at Albion Road

June 13, 2011

New Albion Road Substation in Benton making progress as foundation work begins
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Herald/Telegram Feature: CMP & Local Timber Mat Producers

June 10, 2011

Portland Press Herald/ Maine Sunday Telegram article highlights work of local timber mat suppliers for the MPRP
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Clearing near completion from Benton to Pittsfield

4/13/2011

Clearing in Benton, Clinton and Pittsfield is near completion. Crews are trimming and mowing, with limited clearing on hold until road postings are lifted.
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Benton Transmission Line Construction

3/31/2011

Crews are rebuilding a portion of Section 67A across Albion Road from the new substation site.
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