LUPC Vote Decides NECEC Meets Zoning and Land Use Standards

January 8, 2020

AUGUSTA - The Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC), which serves as the planning and zoning authority for the over 10 million acres of unorganized and deorganized areas of the State, today certified to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) that Central Maine Power Company's proposed New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) project meets the Commissions applicable zoning and land use standards. With the vote, Commissioners decided that CMPs proposed NECEC project is an allowed use within the subdistricts in which it is proposed and meets all land use standards established by the Commission that are not duplicative of those considered by the DEP in its review under the Site Location of Development Law. NECEC, the proposed electric transmission line from the Maine border with Quebec in Beattie Township to a new converter station in Lewiston, was analyzed by the Commission for more than two years.

LUPC NECEC meeting materials including staff recommendation are available for download from https://www.maine.gov/dacf/lupc/about/calendar/index.shtml.

ABOUT LUPC

Maine Legislature created the LUPC to extend principles of sound planning, zoning, and development to the unorganized and deorganized areas of the State, including townships and plantations. These areas either have no local government or have chosen not to administer land use controls at the local level. Also, for larger development projects requiring Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) review under the Site Location of Development Law, LUPC Site Law Certification confirms to the DEP whether the proposed project located within the LUPC service area is an allowed use within the subdistricts in which it is proposed and whether the project meets any land use standards established by the Commission that are not considered in the DEPs review. LUPC Site Law Certification conclusions are incorporated in DEP Site Law permitting decisions. To learn more visit https://www.maine.gov/dacf/lupc/.