Resolve, To Require a Study of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions from the Proposed Central Maine Power Company Transmission Corridor
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 0640
Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology
Sponsors: CARSON, RYKERSON, BELLOWS, BLACK, CLAXTON, FARRIN, FOLEY, DODGE, FAY, TUCKER

Legislative Document
No. 640
S.P. 202
In Senate, February 7, 2019
Resolve, To Require a Study of Greenhouse Gas Emissions 
Reductions from the Proposed Central Maine Power Company 
Transmission Corridor
(EMERGENCY)
Reference to the Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology suggested and ordered 
printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator CARSON of Cumberland.
Cosponsored by Representative RYKERSON of Kittery and
Senators: BELLOWS of Kennebec, BLACK of Franklin, CLAXTON of Androscoggin, 
FARRIN of Somerset, FOLEY of York, Representatives: DODGE of Belfast, FAY of 
Raymond, TUCKER of Brunswick.
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, Central Maine Power Company has promoted its proposed western Maine 
transmission corridor, the New England Clean Energy Connect project, or NECEC, as a 
means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions but has not provided adequate evidence to 
the public and decision makers; and
Whereas, Department of Environmental Protection rule Chapter 375: No Adverse 
Environmental Effect Standards of the Site Location of Development Act requires that 
projects cause no unreasonable alteration of climate, but the department has not 
performed an independent analysis of the greenhouse gas effects of the NECEC and has 
no plans to do so; and
Whereas, the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 35-A, section 3132 requires the Public 
Utilities Commission to consider the environmental effects of proposed transmission line 
projects, but the commission has not performed an independent analysis of greenhouse 
gas effects of the NECEC and has no plans to do so; and
Whereas, climate change poses a substantial threat to Maine's economy, natural 
resources and public health, including from increased spread of insect-borne diseases, 
more frequent damaging storms, elevated sea levels and warming oceans; and
Whereas, 53 miles of new, 150-foot-wide transmission corridor through western 
Maine would fragment the largest expanse of intact temperate hardwood and mixed forest 
in the world; and
Whereas, Maine's natural resources agencies have expressed serious concern about 
the transmission corridor's harm to brook trout, deer and other species; and
Whereas, the New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee concluded that there 
would be no reduction in greenhouse gases from Northern Pass, a similar project to the 
NECEC, unless Hydro-Quebec builds new facilities to increase generating capacity to 
supply electricity to Massachusetts; and
Whereas, Hydro-Quebec's application to Massachusetts to supply energy via the 
NECEC specifically states that the NECEC will not result in any new construction of 
facilities to increase generating capacity; and
Whereas, Maine people and decision makers need concrete, verifiable, publicly 
available information about the greenhouse gas reductions or lack of reductions 
associated with the NECEC in order to make an informed decision on whether to support 
the project; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore, be it
Sec. 1.  NECEC review.  Resolved:  That the Department of Environmental 
Protection shall review all relevant, verifiable evidence and issue a report on the total net 
effect on greenhouse gas emissions from the New England Clean Energy Connect project 
as proposed by Central Maine Power Company.  The department shall submit the report 
to the Legislature, make the report available to the public and provide a copy of the report 
to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities by June 1, 2019.  The department 
shall consider all relevant, verifiable evidence from New England, the Province of 
Quebec, Canada and any other area as needed to determine the total net effect of the 
project on greenhouse gases. The department may conduct the analysis of greenhouse gas 
effects itself within existing resources or hire an independent consultant to conduct it. The 
department may not issue a permit for the project without taking into account the results 
of the department's review.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This resolve requires the Department of Environmental Protection to review all 
relevant, verifiable evidence on the total net effect on greenhouse gas emissions from 
Central Maine Power Company's New England Clean Energy Connect project and submit 
a report to the Legislature, make the report available to the public and provide a copy of 
the report to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities by June 1, 2019.  The 
resolve prohibits the department from issuing a permit for the project without taking into 
account the results of the department's review.