King Pine Wind News Today

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 stakes are high, with Maine’s aging population concerned about electricity rates and the state aiming to meet statutory goals of reducing emissions.

Big storms, flooding, heat, alternative energy programs, PFAS, and large energy projects dominated 2023.

Philip L. Bartlett II, chairman of the Maine Public Utilities Commission, said at the agency’s meeting Thursday that the developer, LS Power, informed regulators that it “can no longer hold to its price” for the transmission line that would extend up to 160 miles. It did not spell out a revised price, he said, and details of the confidential negotiations are not available. “This is a nonstarter,” Bartlett said. He said a contrac...

Commissioner Patrick Scully said that LS Power’s plan would start to shift a “substantial amount of risk” to ratepayers.

In another setback for a slow-moving project, Maine Public Utilities Commission members said the developer, LS Power, reported it could no longer hold to an agreed-upon price for the project. The PUC soon will accept new bids.

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

The plant to link a new Aroostook County wind farm to the regional grid has been controversial for the 140- to 160-mile transmission corridor it would need.

Our neighbors have successfully experimented with buried power lines. Why can't we?

Our neighbors have successfully experimented with buried power lines. Why can't we?