Comments due for Northern Maine Transmission Line: October 27
The PUC is requesting draft proposals and comments.
Please consider making a comment here.
View all comments at docket 2024-00099.
Background
2021: The proposed transmission line from Northern Maine to fill energy needs in southern New England came into being through legislation: LD 1710.
2023: LD 1710 led to the proposed transmission line called Aroostook Renewable Gateway. It was subsequently canceled.
Today: LD 1710 was updated with LD 1963, and is still active law on the books. It is called An Act to Require Prompt and Effective Use of the Renewable Energy Resources of Northern Maine, P.L. 2021, Chapter 380. The law is here: 35-A M.R.S. § 3210-I, and the PDF download of current version is below.
The law requires the PUC to seek proposals for:
(1) a transmission line or lines that will deliver at least 1,200 megawatts of renewable energy resources located in northern Maine to the system administered by the Independent System Operator – New England (ISO-NE); and
(2) renewable energy projects in northern Maine that will generate the energy delivered by that line or lines.
More history of this line is here.
Current Status
On October 3 2025, the PUC issued a draft RFP. It is item 52 at docket 2024-00099.
PDF of the PUC’s cover letter/ order is here (8 pages):
The DRAFT RFP itself is here (28 pages), exported to PDF so it is easier to read on phone:
Please leave comments on the docket expressing your thoughts. Here’s the link.
And remember: the only way this will go away is for the initiating law to go away.
Hi Brook! I finally pushed this through on Reddit and the first respondet said the comment link didn't work!
So above where you say "Here's the link" - that goes to the docket overview.
Can you please update that link to the actual comment submission link:
https://mpuc-cms.maine.gov/CQM.Public.WebUI/Comments/PublicComments.aspx?CaseNumber=2024-00099
Thank you SO much for getting this out there!
-Lance