Maine Public Utilities Commission Approves Transmission Reinforcement in Western Maine

The MPUC granted a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for Central Maine Power Company’s proposed Somerset County Reinforcement Project, a 115 kV, 39-mile transmission line in western Maine.  Although the line was initially proposed as part of CMP’s Maine Power Reliability Program, this particular component of the project was not initially approved by the MPUC when the MPUC approved the MPRP in June 2010.  After further proceedings, the Commission approved a stipulation in which several parties agreed that there was a need for the line, but others contested the need for the proposed transmission solution on various grounds.  The Commission found that although a re-rate of an existing line is an option that could address the demonstrated reliability need, the new line would provide several additional benefits.  Among the additional benefits, the Commission found that the new line would advance Maine’s policy of promoting cost-effective development of renewable generation.  It will enable the development of wind generation in western Maine.