State validates over 80,000 signatures for new CMP corridor referendum

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • February 22, 2021

Organizers of an initiative that would require the Maine Legislature to sign off on transmission line projects have gathered enough signatures for the measure to be considered in a statewide vote in November, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows confirmed Monday. The measure is aimed at crippling the controversial New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) transmission line project, which would bring Canadian hydroelectric power through Maine to Massachusetts. An interest group representing the project said immediately after the announcement that it would conduct its own review of the signatures, in an attempt to overturn the results.