Aroostook Renewable News Today

Last February, the utilities commission selected LS Power and Long Road Energy’s King Pine Wind Project for the Aroostook Renewable Gateway.

AUGUSTA — Sen. Chip Curry, D-Waldo, on Jan. 23 introduced LD 2087, “An Act to Protect Property Owners by Preventing the Use of Eminent Domain to Build Transmission Lines Under

Mainers appeared in Augusta on Wednesday to defend their right to private property during a public hearing on a bill which would prevent the state from forcibly seizing private land for the construction of a high-power transmission line. The controversial transmission line, which is without a developer following LS Power’s decision to pull out of the project, would theoretically connect Massachusetts renewable energy customers to a proposed wind farm 92 percent owned by foreig...

The current plan prioritizes the delivery of clean energy with minimum environmental impact and maximum ratepayer benefit.

LS Power’s Vice President Doug Mulvey attributed some of the delay to there being two states involved in negotiations.

In a scenario reminiscent of similar battles, plans for overhead transmission lines are being pushed by key politicians, but fought by those directly affected.

The Aroostook wind project is the first high-impact transmission line covered by a new Maine law.

A final route for the lines hasn’t been selected, but some residents have been informed the power project would cut through their land.