Transmission Development in New England

An article posted yesterday in the New Hampshire Union Leader (link), provides an interesting perspective on what it takes to successfully develop a transmission project in New England. The key take-aways are:

• New England needs new sources of electricity due to pending closures of older plants
• Transmission is likely required to achieve this
• Public support for a project from day one is important
• Underground transmission projects, while often more expensive, appear easier to permit
• The public prefers the visual and environmental advantages of underground transmission

The Maine Power Express is a proposed 1000MW underground/underwater transmission line and a significant element of the Loring Energy Projects. As the New England Clean Energy RFP is being refined, we are continuing the development of this project to resolve the north-south transmission constraints, lower greenhouse gas emissions and bring true economic development opportunities to northern Maine and New England.