Maine DEP suspends CMP corridor permit in another blow to controversial project

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection on Tuesday suspended the permit for the controversial corridor spearheaded by Central Maine Power in another blow to the embattled project and the unpopular utility company.

The move comes after nearly 60% of Maine voters backed a ballot initiative in the Nov. 2 election to block the 145-mile transmission corridor by CMP affiliate New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC), which would deliver hydro-electric power from Quebec to Massachusetts through Maine, in a result widely viewed as a rebuke of CMP.

In her order, Maine DEP Commissioner Melanie Loyzim said construction must halt unless backers of the project succeed in court cases being waged on the legality of the referendum and a lease of public land for the corridor.

“So long as the License is suspended, all construction must stop,” Loyzim wrote.

The order follows a hearing the Maine DEP held Monday on whether to yank the project license after the verdict delivered by Mainers via the referendum.

Read more: https://mainebeacon.com/maine-dep-suspends-cmp-corridor-permit-in-another-blow-to-controversial-project/