Key Phase of CMP Transmission Line Case Process Scheduled for the Next Two Weeks
January 27, 2010
Public Utilities Commission
News Advisory
For Immediate Release
Augusta, Maine— For two weeks in February, expert witness hearings will be held at the Maine Public Utilities Commission in the case regarding Central Maine Power (CMP)’s proposal to expand their transmission network in Maine. These expert witness hearings will start at 9am each day and be held on February 2nd-5th and 9th-12th at the Commission’s Hallowell offices on 101 Second Street.
At the hearings, expert witnesses for CMP and intervenors will be cross-examined on their previously-filed testimony in the case, and will respond to questions from Commissioners and staff and other parties. These hearings are not a forum for public input, although the public can attend the hearings except when witnesses are asked questions about protected or confidential information (such as questions regarding critical energy infrastructure, confidential by federal law for national security reasons). The public portions of the hearings will be streamed from the Commission website.
Background: Central Maine Power is an electric transmission and distribution utility regulated by the Commission. CMP submitted its plans for the expansion—labeled the “Maine Power Reliability Project”—in July 2008. The Company seeks the Commission’s approval for new construction and reconstruction of approximately 350 miles of 345 kilovolt (kV) and 115 kV transmission lines and several substations throughout Maine. The approximate cost of the project is $1.5 billion.
It is the Commission’s responsibility to carry out a rigorous examination of the transmission system’s reliability needs, the utility’s preferred solution and alternative proposals put forward. Since the case was filed, more than 150 parties filed for intervenor status. There have been extensive data and technical filings, computer modeling and expert consultant analysis, and many technical conferences. In October, Commission staff issued its “Bench Analysis,” a document which outlines legal and technical staff analysis of the evidence submitted by CMP and intervenors to date. Four public witness hearings were held—two in November 2008 (Waterville, Lewiston); two in December 2009 (China, Gorham). The Commission is expected to decide the case in May 2010.
For information on this case filed with the Commission, go to the Commission website (www.maine.gov/mpuc) and access the Virtual Case File and see documents in Docket Number 2008-255.
Contact: Evelyn deFrees, 207-287-6141 evelyn.defrees@maine.gov
