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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 foreign investors.

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 contract “at a minimum” would be required to include a binding price.

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