The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-11-22
FITRAL MAINE POWER COMPANY HAS|
E010,OOO WATER PROJECT IN SOMERSET
. Development at Bingham ikely--Other r TO-
/ Near Lewiston More Energy for Skowhegan

tnelr lmmeQldUe cOmMduu. me- Ill
mense storage basin which would be
created by the proposed Androscoggin
plan would also help the dry periods.
Engineers are now at work on the
Androscoggin to determine the most
feasible point for erection of a dam
When the results of the drilling that
is now being done in the bed of the
river are known, and when the COM
pany can determine the cost of the
large amount of property that Will
be necessary to acquire, 1t may prove
that the expense of the Lewiston pro-
ject will be prohibitive at the present
time.
At Bingham, the situation is consid-
erably different. The property on
either side of the Kennebec at the
point where the dam would be erect
ed belongs to the Central Maine Pow
er Co.. as we'll as large part of the
adjacent flowage rights. Preliminary
engineering work has also been done
Careful borings were made years ago.
Such large amount of information
is in the hands of the company, that
the cost of the development of the
Bingham project is fairly we'll known
If the Bingham project becomes a
reality, it will create lake nearly 8
miles long which will wind pictures
quely through rugged hills that line
the upper Kennebec and will add new
lustEe to one of the gems of Names
beauty spots.
At times, power developments have
been criticized because they MARI the
/ too of oh n 40 %
either the Bingham or the Lewiston
project beauty will be added to ma
tures handiwork IL either of these
great dams is built, the most pains
taking care will be exercised to see
that all trees are removed from the
flowed area leaving picturesque lakes,
set in surroundings of surprising
beauty.
The Bingham development is tinan
cially possible. The engineering pro-
blem presents no great unsurmount-
able difficulties. The development as
whole would be one of the most
magnificent ever undertaken by the
state of Mainex 1t would stand thru
the centuries as great monument Of
Names industrial foresight and thrift.
From the industrial point of view
the whole central part Of Maine would
benefit materially by this further de-
velopment and construction. Either
of these dams together with the neces
sary power houses, transmission lines,
etc, would require the expenditure
of five million of dollars or more and
would employ big force of men
over a period of several years. When
the project is completed vast army
of people will be given employment
and help to know easier and more
comfortable living and the supply of
electricity, ready for use in Maine,
will have been double what it now is.
AS the Central Maine Power Co.
sees the problem before the people of
Maine, they must develop all the
power that they can proftably use
! from the water that flows from their
own rivers as fast as it can safely be
done. TO the extent that it is pos
sibe to stop sending money to Penn
! sylvania for coal and to Mexico for
oil, to that extent it will benefit Maine
people as well as Names railroads.
/ The railroads will also be relieved of
/ hauling this useless freight and en-
4 dDlCO " QCNOtC tuOil CnCl 6lCo W llOl
profitable problems.
Asked If the development at Lew
iston or at Bingham had any bearing
on the possible electrification of the
steam roads of the state, Mr.. Wyman
said that he know nothing of the plans
for the electrification of the Maine
roads. But he did say that the amount
of power that will be generated in
the two developments would be ample
to turn the wheels on every steam
road now operating in Maine
In setting up this program of work
to harness two of Names great rivers
| for the industrial advantage of its
citizens, Mr.. Wyman feels that his
company will gain the support, en-
couragement and endorsement Of
every citizen of Maine who expects
to make his living within the borders
of the state. 1t is long look ahead
but it is only an out-cropping of that
same far-visioned policy that has
marked the company's enterprises it