Public Informational Meetings

Central Maine Power Company hosted public informational meetings and open houses in Saco, Waterville, Lewiston and Augusta on September 3, 4, 9 and December 3, 2008. The events included exhibits covering key elements of the Maine Power Reliability Program, such as environmental assessment, mapping, design and non-transmission alternatives. Presentations and program materials may be viewed or downloaded below:

Public Informational Presentation:

Visitors at the Public Informational Meetings were provided an opportunity to watch a Power Point presentation (approximately nine minutes in length) on the Maine Power Reliability Program (MPRP).

Watch a video of the presentation >>>

For more information download the Public Informational Meeting Presentation. (PDF)

 

Environmental Assessment

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection and other environmental agencies require detailed analysis and mitigation of environmental impacts on land, water, wildlife, flora and other natural resources. TRC Environmental assessment teams walked hundreds of miles of existing transmission line corridors to survey vernal pools, wetlands and other sensitive resources. These surveys are being used to guide our program engineers in the design of the transmission lines and construction methods to avoid, minimize or mitigate possible impacts on the environment, wildlife and our neighbors. For more information download the Public Information Meeting Fact Sheet. (PDF)

 

Non-Transmission Alternatives

For the MPUC review process CMP studied non-transmission alternative solutions to delay or reduce the need for transmission upgrades, such as programs designed to reduce peak demand for electricity. A comprehensive study indicated that investments in energy efficiency improves the economic benefits of all the solutions considered and that these non-transmission solutions in the greater Portland area could delay the need for a new 115kV transmission line. For more information download the Non-Transmission Alternatives Fact Sheet. (PDF)

 

Proposed Transmission Solution

CMP and ISO New England, which operates the New England power grid, studied the Maine system and identified critical needs. Engineering studies indicate that the system is presently reliable, but major problems could lie ahead. We found a growing risk of major blackouts by 2017, if we don't make significant investments in the Maine transmission system. For more information on reliability issues download the Reliability Standards Fact Sheet. (PDF)

CMP carefully reviewed 10 alternative routes for building additional power lines and upgrading lines over existing corridors. After an exhaustive study, we selected routes along existing transmission corridors to the greatest extent possible, which balances and minimizes impacts on abutting property owners, the environment and our customers. For more information please watch the Maine Power Reliability Program video.

 

Power Line Design

Exhibits included examples of transmission line structures and cross-sections of proposed 345kV and 115kV power lines. Design drawings and related information are provided in appendices included with the MPRP petition to the Maine PUC and may be downloaded from our Library. (PDF)

 

Mapping

CMP's program consultants provided visitors with maps and drawings of the proposed transmission lines. Download a statewide map of the proposed MPRP transmission solution. (PDF)