Union opposes CMP hydropower project, saying it could jeopardize jobs

The United Steelworker’s Maine Labor Council voted to oppose Central Maine Power Co.’s proposed New England Clean Energy Connect hydropower transmission project at its June 6 meeting in Bangor.

“The council is concerned about the impact this proposal would have on jobs for our members. We are worried about our members who currently work in power generation and fear this project would jeopardize jobs in the emerging green energy economy,” Pat Carleton, president of the union’s Maine Labor Council, said in a statement Friday announcing the move.

The controversial $1 billion hydropower project, a joint project of CMP and Hydro-Quebec, would transmit power for 145 miles from the Canadian border through Maine. The project aims to bring renewable power to Massachusetts by 2022 so that state can meet its own clean energy standards.

Opponents have questioned whether Maine ratepayers would see monetary savings and said the project might overload existing power facilities in Maine.

Read more: https://bangordailynews.com/2019/06/21/business/union-opposes-cmp-hydropower-project-saying-it-could-jeopardize-jobs/