Controversial power line caught up in high-stakes power struggle

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • February 7, 2021

Crews had cleared three or so miles on the side of the existing Central Maine Power transmission line as of last week, she estimated. It is a high-stakes race to build as much of the $1 billion New England Clean Energy Connect power line project as possible this year. But to do it, the company must sidestep a growing number of legal barriers that opponents are throwing up, including pending court decisions that the plaintiffs hope can hobble Maine’s most controversial energy project and bring progress to an abrupt stop. Sue Ely, a staff attorney at the Natural Resources Council, said, “Both sides have an incredible degree of urgency. We’re in a race to save the North Woods.”