Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – Maine Public Service has announced plans to develop a transmission line connecting northern Maine to the rest of the state and subsequently New England. In a press conference held on April 10, leaders of MPS, a subsidiary of Maine & Maritimes Corporation, and Central Maine Power Company (CMP), a subsidiary of Energy East, reported on the preliminary conclusions of the Maine Power Connection (MPC) feasibility study. MPC was designed to evaluate the feasibility of connecting the MPS system to the rest of the Maine and New England electric grid and to support development of substantial wind energy resources in northern Maine, said Virginia Joles, director of communications, board relations and economic development at MPS.
On hand to explain the project’s three phases were Sue Bell, senior project manager with Bernstein Shur Government Solutions, and Kay Rand, managing director for Bernstein Shur Government Solutions. The women said they know Aroostook County and the needs of its residents because they’ve both lived and worked here. Bell said she lived and worked in Houlton and Caribou before moving to southern Maine. Rand has ties to Ashland.
According to Rand, the project actually got its start back in 2006.
“In November 2006, MPUC (Maine Public Utilities Commission) rejected standard offer bids and initiated an inquiry to investigate possible solutions to the lack of competition in northern Maine, including a direct interconnection to the rest of the New England electrical market,” said Rand.
By February 2007, utility officials with CMP and MPS began to evaluate the feasibility of a transmission line between the MPS system and the MEPCO line.
“The MPS system is separated by a 25-mile gap between MPS lines in Houlton and the MEPCO line in Haynesville,” explained Rand.
Bell showed on a map how a new transmission line would run from northern Maine, around Fort Kent, following the border closely as it traveled east through the Limestone area, then turned south toward Fort Fairfield, continuing south to Houlton, before curving west to connect to the rest of the state near Haynesville.
“The line would run from Fort Kent to Houlton, then along the ‘bridal path,’ as it’s called, between Houlton and Haynesville,” said Bell, noting several things had to be taken into consideration to determine the viability of such a large-scale project.
“We have to consider what’s required to connect the two systems, what’s needed to get wind power to market and how feasible that would be and we have to determine the economic benefit of the project,” said Bell.
The study was broken down into three phases. Phase 1 focused on interconnecting MPS territory to the New England electric grid. Phase 2 involved interconnecting MPS, plus 800 MW of power from proposed wind projects in Aroostook County. Phase 3 looked to create a new northern Maine interconnect with eastern Canada.
Rand said phase 1 of the study concluded that the 138 kV interconnection would be sufficient to connect the existing MPS system with the New England grid at an estimated cost of $400 million.
“The study indicated this would not be economically feasible if MPS ratepayers fund the project. The costs would outweigh the potential economic benefits to MPS ratepayers,” said Rand.
But thanks to a growing interest in wind energy, Rand said ratepayers would not have to pick up the tab on such a major project.
“Thanks to wind energy, it’s highly likely other transmission owners will pay to create that line,” said Rand.
Rand credited Gov. John E. Baldacci’s efforts in making Maine a forerunner in “green” technology for developers’ interested in building wind farms in the state, including a Houston company looking at development in the Bridgewater area.
“New transmission capacity will support major wind development in Aroostook County. Connecting MPS to the New England grid with a 345 kV transmission line will support wind generation projects and be economically feasible with the participation of ISO-NE and its member utilities,” said Rand. “Aroostook Wind is looking to develop a wind farm in Bridgewater and wants on the system by 2010, with 300 megawatts.”
Rand explained that electricity from the wind farm would go onto the Maine grid, ultimately providing electricity for Maine customers. She said the project would include other benefits as well.
“Rate payers outside the state would pick up about 92 percent of the cost of the system. Benefits would include the introduction of competitors to northern Maine and lower electricity costs,” said Rand. “This would also create jobs.”
Bell said the estimated length of the line would be 150 to 200 miles with an estimated cost of $400 to $500 million.
Rand said Maine is becoming recognized as a “green” leader, with other states now looking to Maine as an example for the future when it comes to renewable energy.
“My former boss, Gov. Angus King, has been heard saying Maine could become the next Saudi Arabia,” said Rand, noting wind energy is a far cleaner and renewable product than what oil nations are currently producing. “Maine is sitting as a renewable energy leader.”
“Wind power is such an asset. With it comes lower power costs and lower property taxes when projects are developed and completed,” said Bell.
Brent Boyles, president and CEO of MPS, said he’s “really excited about this project.”
“The windmills are an endorsement of the movement away from foreign oil. UPC – Evergreen Wind has endorsed this project. They’ve done a fantastic job and been a huge tax base for us. Projects like theirs bring jobs, fill diners and stores,” said Boyles.
With the development of the transmission line, Rand said Aroostook County would become a central part of the state’s economic base rather than a distant element of it.
“The Maine Power Connection would provide reliable, competitive and lower-cost electrical service. It would increase renewable energy production, particularly wind. Aroostook County would become a renewable energy center for Maine and the rest of New England,” said Rand. “And this line would connect all of Maine and create effective market competition in Aroostook County.”
Development is on the fast track, with phase 2 of the transmission studies expected to be completed late this spring.
“A CPCN (Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity) will be filed with MPUC in July of this year,” said Rand. “And Aroostook Wind Energy’s site at Bridgewater – 300 MW – is targeted for operation by late 2010.”
For more information, visit www.mainepowerconnection.com or call 866-914-1944.
