#NewHampshire said "No!" to #HydroQuebec #Massachusetts scheme!

Massachusetts to continue talks with #HydroQuébec for #NorthernPass project
Historic $680M electricity project was 1st approved in January, but rejected a week later by New Hampshire

The Canadian Press · Posted: Feb 16, 2018

"Despite a rejection in New Hampshire, Massachusetts will continue negotiations on a conditional basis with Hydro-Québec and its American partner #Eversource for the Northern Pass project.

"Hydro-Quebec is counting on the Northern Pass to supply Massachusetts for 20 years, starting in 2020, as part of a historic contract signed with the state in January.

"It is estimated that the #CrownCorporation could pocket $10 billion in revenue if an agreement is reached.

"The project was rejected by the New Hampshire Site Review Board, which refused to grant a licence essential to Northern Pass's completion in the state.

"The Massachusetts Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs says talks on the project could end by March 27.

"In the meantime, conditional negotiations may be conducted for another project, the #NewEnglandCleanEnergyConnect [#NECEC] , which would be carried out by Hydro-Quebec and #CentralMainePower."

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/massachusetts-to-continue-talks-with-hydro-qu%C3%A9bec-for-northern-pass-project-1.4540291

#AvanGrid #HydroQuebec #CMPCorridor #PeterMills #JanetMills #Corruption #NorthWoods #SaveTheNorthWoods #SaveTheForests #BigElectricity #MainePol #NewHampshirePol #ProtectTheNorthWoods #QuebecHydro

Electricity for #Massachusetts! Why not run it through the #Berkshires?! Too many rich white folks, I guess!

#CMP parent company ready to energize controversial corridor by end of year

by Brad Rogers,WGME
Thu, November 20, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Updated Fri, November 21, 2025

PORTLAND (WGME) -- "CMP's parent company, Avangrid, is about to flip the switch and turn on a controversial power corridor through western Maine.

"After years of legal battles and regulatory hurdles, Avangrid now has its final permit for the New England Clean Energy Connect, linking Canadian hydropower to Massachusetts and going right through Maine."

https://wgme.com/news/local/cmp-parent-company-ready-to-energize-controversial-corridor-by-end-of-year-central-maine-power-avangrid-new-england-clean-energy-connect-hydro-quebec

#AvanGrid #HydroQuebec #CMPCorridor #PeterMills #JanetMills #Corruption #NorthWoods #SaveTheNorthWoods #SaveTheForests #BigElectricity #MainePol #ProtectTheNorthWoods #QuebecHydro

I find it ironic that #GovernorJanetMills has declared June to be "#Maine #Dairy Month," when her brother #PeterMills is trying to destroy one of the last remaining dairies in #SouthernMaine, #SmilingHillFarm!

#GovernorMills Proclaims June as #MaineDairyMonth

May 30, 2024

https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/news/governor-mills-proclaims-june-maine-dairy-month-2024-05-30

#SaveSmilingHillFarm #GorhamConnector #GorhamBypass #SaveSmilingHill #GorhamSpur
#Maine #RapidTransit #LightRail #SaveTheFarms #ProtectTheForest #InducedDemand #Sprawl

Hmmmm... I'm seeing a pattern here. #PeterMills and #MaineTurnpikeAuthority are looking to build a highway through forests and farms because it would be cheaper (but #LightRail would be even CHEAPER, but would involve less #contractors). Peter's sister #JanetMills wants to put an #OffshoreWindFarm on #SearsIsland because it would be cheaper than #MackPoint (which would involve cleaning up pollution -- the horror!)

[Article is behind a paywall -- full text in comments]

The unusual political alliance opposing an offshore wind port in #Maine

by Billy Kobin
December 4, 2023

"The 941-acre Sears Island, the largest undeveloped island in #PenobscotBay, is connected to the mainland by a causeway and is located off the coast of #Searsport, the Route 1 town of about 2,600 residents. The state owns the island, though #NativeAmericans who called it #Wassumkeag, or 'bright sand beach,' used it over thousands of years for camping, hunting, fishing and resting along paddling routes."

Source:
https://www.bangordailynews.com/2023/12/04/politics/unusual-political-alliance-opposing-offshore-wind-port-joam40zk0w/

#MainePolitics #Environment #Greenwashing #EnvironmentalRacism

So, what's going on with the #GorhamSpur seems a lot like what happened with the #CMPCorridor (which #Mainers voted against). Despite public opposition, #MTA will say, "Oh, well we already bought most of the land, so we have to keep going!" The same tactic was used with the CMP corridor through the North Woods, when CMP said, "Well, we already started the project -- we plan on completing if, even if the public opposes it!"

#MainePolitics #Maine #JanetMills #PeterMills #Corporatocracy #Overreach #TheWillOfThePeople #WorkingFarms #MaineTurnpikeAuthority
#Sprawl #GorhamSpur #GorhamConnector #Wetlands
#Meadows #EnvironmentalImpact #SaveSmilingHillFarm #SaveTheNorthWoods

Rapid transit plan calls for 10-20 minute service through #PortlandMaine, #WestbrookMaine and #GorhamMaine

Maine Public | By Nicole Ogrysko

Published July 28, 2023

"Local officials in #GreaterPortland are considering a system of #RapidTransit bus routes for the region.

"Under a draft proposal from the Greater Portland Council of Governments, dedicated bus lanes would provide express service through Portland, Westbrook and Gorham more quickly than traditional bus service, with stops along the way.

"The preferred route would start at the University of Southern Maine campus in Gorham, travel through downtown Westbrook and stop at the USM campus in Portland before heading down Congress Street and ending near the Eastern Promenade.

"The proposal envisions service every 10 minutes between Portland and Westbrook, and 20 minutes between Westbrook and Gorham.

"'That's frequent enough that you're not relying on a schedule anymore,' said Andrew Clark, transit program manager for #GPCOG. 'You're no longer planning your day around the bus schedule. You just know you can go out to the station, and the bus will be there in 10 minutes or something like that.'

"Clark said service every 10-20 minutes should also lure riders who wouldn't normally consider taking #PublicTransit.

"'I think people understand the role that transit can play in making our cities better, its role in reducing congestion, its role in better climate outcomes, better social equity outcomes,' he said.

"Greater Portland Metro would operate the proposed route, but the vehicles and stops would have a different look than the service's existing buses, Clark added.

"The proposed routes are still a long way away, Clark said. The cities of Portland, Westbrook and Gorham will need to decide how much road space can be freed up for dedicated bus lanes. The project will also need to secure federal funds for the new bus lanes and some new battery-powered vehicles.

"Local officials also eventually envision rapid transit routes to South Portland, Biddeford and Saco, Brunswick and Windham."

https://www.mainepublic.org/business-and-economy/2023-07-28/rapid-transit-plan-calls-for-10-20-minute-service-through-portland-westbrook-and-gorham

#GorhamBypass #SaveSmilingHillFarm #Sprawl
#SaveTheForest #Woodlands
#Meadows #InducedDemand
#EnvironmentalImpact
#GorhamConnector
#SaveRedBrook #RedBrook
#GreaterPortlandMaine
#BusService #MTA
#ProtectFarmland #LessCars #WorkingFarms #PeterMills #JanetMills #CommuterRail #RapidTransit #GreaterPortland #Maine

There are alternatives to the #GorhamBypass... This is one of them! A much better use for the #Infrastructure funds #Maine received!!!

Gorham-Westbrook-Portland #RapidTransit Study

The Gorham-Westbrook-Portland Rapid Transit Study examined the need for and benefits of a rapid transit line connecting Gorham, Westbrook, and Portland. Based on estimated ridership, travel times, operating costs, and social equity, the study concluded that the most direct and fastest route alignment is via Main Street, Brighton Ave, and Congress Street. From west to east, this alignment connects USM Gorham, Gorham Village, downtown Westbrook, Rock Row, USM Portland, Maine Medical Center, downtown Portland, and the Eastern Waterfront. See project document below:

"The Bigger Picture. The purpose of this project is to provide fast, reliable, and frequent transit service that connects Gorham, Westbrook, and Portland's major transportation and/or activity centers. This project stems from our region's long-range transit plan Transit Tomorrow. That plan identifies five corridors where rapid transit is feasible. The Gorham-Westbrook-Portland corridor is the first corridor we studied. The bigger goal is to create a rapid transit network that allows us to meet the growing demand placed on our transportation network without building new roads or inducing more vehicle travel. "

https://www.gpcog.org/557/Gorham-Westbrook-Portland-Rapid-Transit-

#GorhamBypass #SaveSmilingHillFarm #Sprawl
#SaveTheForest #Woodlands
#Meadows #InducedDemand
#EnvironmentalImpact
#GorhamConnector
#SaveRedBrook #RedBrook
#GreaterPortlandMaine
#LightRail #BikeLanes
#BusService #MTA
#ProtectFarmland #LessCars #WorkingFarms #PeterMills #JanetMills #CommuterRail #RapidTransit #GreaterPortland #Maine

Have thoughts about the proposed #GorhamBypass? How you can make your voice heard

A public meeting is scheduled for March 25

GORHAM, Maine —"The #MaineTurnpikeAuthority wants to build a new toll road connecting the Turnpike to Gorham. The plan has sparked strong opinions both for and against since the route was announced in February.

"The first public meeting about the Gorham connector is scheduled for March 25 in the Shaw Gym at the Gorham Municipal Center on South Street. An open house is scheduled from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., where people can look at displays and ask questions about the project. It will be hosted by area municipalities in partnership with the Maine Turnpike Authority and the Maine Department of Transportation.

"At 6 p.m., a brief presentation will provide an overview of the project, after which attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and make comments. If you cannot attend the meeting, you can watch online starting at 6 p.m."

https://www.wmtw.com/article/have-thoughts-about-proposed-gorham-bypass-public-meeting/60178615?fbclid=IwAR0ZtB89WNCpLO73BdWujTdwhcyjOSA95AcKz3ShRo6l2huU2KiIfyce-es

https://www.youtube.com/embed/aTKSuVJ1iAg?autoplay=1

#SaveSmilingHillFarm #Sprawl #SaveTheForest #Woodlands #Meadows #InducedDemand #EnvironmentalImpact #GorhamConnector #SaveRedBrook #RedBrook #GreaterPortlandMaine #LightRail #BikeLanes #BusService #MTA #ProtectFarmland #LessCars #WorkingFarms #PeterMills #JanetMills

ICYMI - from 2019:

VERIFY: does Gov. #JanetMills' brother have ties to #CMPCorridor project?

NEWS CENTER #Maine verifies #PeterMills' involvement in the CMP corridor.

July 3, 2019

"In the last year, we have been bombarded with questions and concerns surrounding the #CMP transmission line project.

"Most recently, some of those concerns from you at home have shifted to Governor Janet Mills' support behind the project -- more specifically, if her brother, Peter Mills, has any ties to the corridor or if he has anything to gain from it.

"To verify these claims, NEWS CENTER Maine spoke with Peter Mills himself and referenced these public documents -- 'The Memorandum of Understanding between Central Maine Power Company and Western Mountains and Rivers Corporation'.

Here's what we found out.

"Mills does currently sit on the board of a charitable non-profit called Western Mountains and Rivers Corporation, an organization established back in 2017.

"He admits the non-profit has ties to CMP and the corridor project, but he says it's a very specific partnership.

"'The purpose of the corporation was to negotiate with #CentralMainePower and possibly #HydroQuebec to see to it that they would put together terms to mitigate in a public and charitable way, to mitigate for the impact of the power line if it were built.' says Mills. [I've seen this tactic before -- with #MaineTurnpikeAuthority donations to non-profits affected by #highway expansion]

"Public documents detail this agreement between the two entities, which includes CMP's requirement to provide $250,000 dollars to the non-profits trust fund; for start-up costs and other proceedings.

"It has been used to hire an #attorney to represent the interests of the #corporation in the #Legal proceedings before the #PUC and #LERK and the #DEP, and in negotiating for any mitigation terms including the creation of land rights of way in the #KennebecValley." says Mills."

Read more:

#MainePolitics #ClimateActivism #CorporateColonialism #CorporateFascism #Nepotism
#MaineTribes #Mining #GorhamSpur #GorhamConnector #SaveSmilingHillFarm #NoCMPCorridor