Central Maine Power voluntarily halted construction Nov. 19 on its $1-billion hydroelectric transmission project in western Maine following a plea from Gov. Janet Mills (D), after the Nov. 2 decision by 60% of state voters to reject the project. The utility and project supporters still await a decision by the state business court on a temporary restraining order filing against the vote, which they claim is unconstitutional.
The 145-mile New England Clean Energy Connect project would deliver hydropower from Quebec through Maine to supply Massachusetts residents. About $450 million has been invested in the project so far.