Massachusetts is expected to finalize a contract Tuesday with a large hydro-powered transmission line through Northern New England. But, the question is – which one?
Commonwealth officials have been negotiating with both Eversource’s Northern Pass project, which would run through New Hampshire, and Central Maine Power’s New England Clean Energy Connect project.
Both would add about 1,200 megawatts of hydropower to the New England grid, and both still need final approvals from state regulators.
The Maine project has support from the Governor Paul LePage but is facing opposition at the Main public utilities commission.
Meanwhile, Northern Pass was already rejected by the New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee. Eversource faces months of appeals before it will know if the project can proceed.
Massachusetts officials said they will move forward with Central Maine Power if they can’t reach a deal with Eversource.
