Millions pour in to groups fighting, supporting western Maine power line

ASSOCIATED PRESS • April 13, 2021

Money is pouring into the campaign battle over a $1 billion hydropower transmission project in western Maine, and project supporters outspent opponents more than 2 to 1 in the latest reporting period. Clean Energy Matters, which is backing the project, collected more than $5.8 million in the first quarter of the year, while opposition group Mainers for Local Power received more than $1.3 million, according to quarterly reports filed Monday. Clean Energy Matters spent nearly $4.5 million and Mainers for Local Power spent more than $2 million in the period, the reports indicated. Critics who contend the project would permanently change the character of the woods collected enough signatures for a referendum on the project. The secretary of state announced Tuesday that the state is now accepting public comment on the wording of the ballot question.