Mainers appeared in Augusta on Wednesday to defend their right to private property during a public hearing on a bill which would prevent the state from forcibly seizing private land for the construction of a high-power transmission line. The controversial transmission line, which is without a developer following LS Power’s decision to pull out of the project, would theoretically connect Massachusetts renewable energy customers to a proposed wind farm 92 percent owned by foreign investors.
Rural Mainers Urge Ban on Seizing Private Land Via Eminent Domain for Wind Project Backed by Foreign Asset Funds themainewire.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from themainewire.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The stakes are high, with Maine’s aging population concerned about electricity rates and the state aiming to meet statutory goals of reducing emissions.
Philip L. Bartlett II, chairman of the Maine Public Utilities Commission, said at the agency’s meeting Thursday that the developer, LS Power, informed regulators that it “can no longer hold to its price” for the transmission line that would extend up to 160 miles. It did not spell out a revised price, he said, and details of the confidential negotiations are not available. “This is a nonstarter,” Bartlett said. He said a contract “at a minimum” would be required to include a binding price.