As described a couple of weeks ago, there are three bills that will impact the progress of this proposed transmission line.
They are:
LD 1963: Senator Jackson’s revised update to “An Act Regarding the Future of Renewable Energy Transmission in Northern Maine.” This bill received a divided report out of committee (the Republicans voted against, and the Democrats voted in favor.) LD 1963 is a bill we have been very concerned about because it expanded the provisions that led to the proposed route in the first place.
LD 2087: Senator Curry’s bill to protect property owners from eminent domain. This bill passed unanimously out of committee with “Ought to Pass.” This is great news and a truly bipartisan effort.
LD 2205: Representative Cyrway’s bill on a transmission line study. This bill passed unanimously out of committee with “Ought to Pass.” Again, great news and a bipartisan effort.
Final bill texts should be available next weekend.
And I should emphasize: participating in the public process is extremely time consuming. It is not achievable for most people who have jobs or kids - this session has required multiple people on our team to spend dozens of hours - my estimate is 40+ each - in Augusta during business hours. This is why money talks: paid lobbyists are the only people who can realistically afford to do this work.
Preserve Rural Maine did an amazing job (and that is unpaid time, I would point out!) Thank you.
This is excellent news. Much gratitude to all who gave freely of their own time to go to Augusta and speak for all Maine farmers and landowners. Thank you!