MAINE PUBLIC • December 20, 2025
A coalition of environmental groups is challenging a conservation plan proposed by Central Maine Power as part of its permit to develop a new electric transmission line through western Maine. The groups filed an appeal with Maine's Board of Environmental Protection asking regulators to require CMP to protect more mature forest habitat. "The transmission line has already caused harm by fragmenting mature forest habitat," said Natural Resources Council of Maine woods, waters and wildlife director Luke Frankel. "We're calling on the BEP to ensure that CMP's conservation plan complies with the requirements in the permit." NRCM was joined in the appeal by Maine Audubon, Appalachian Mountain Club and Trout Unlimited. CMP was required to set aside 50,000 acres of forest in exchange for building the new transmission line to connect Quebec hydropower to the New England electric grid.