Although Central Maine Power Company has been working on its Maine Power Reliability Program since 2010, the company just received approval from the Town of Kennebunk for the project last week.

The $1.4 billion project will install 442 miles of high-voltage transmission line, from Eliot to Orrington, that carries bulk electricity from plants to businesses and homes. The upgrade, according to CMP, is long overdue and will help increase capacity and reliability and bring the power system into compliance with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regulations.

While CMP was required to get ordinance changes or approvals from each municipality that had a height restriction on utility poles that would impact this project, many towns and cities approved CMP’s request without much investigation or objection.

Officials in Kennebunk, however, said they did not want to give CMP a blanket waiver to install poles up to 140 feet at any point in time. Selectmen had requested specifics on how tall each pole would be and how many poles would be erected. CMP and the town went back and forth for more than two years in the process, and we commend Kennebunk for taking the time to get it right for the town and its residents.

In the end, selectmen granted a waiver for the project to allow for taller poles for this transmission expansion, but the town made its concerns clear, and because of that, there will not be a ordinance on the books allowing for 140-foot utility poles.

The town also held firm on environmental concerns, and Kennebunk Public Works Director Michael Claus will film video of the power line corridor on an upcoming site walk to record its current environmental status. If vegetation is damaged or too much is removed, the town will have recourse to make sure CMP properly buffers its corridor appropriately after the work is complete.

This project is necessary, especially if Maine’s population continues to grow, and we’re pleased officials in Kennebunk and CMP were able to work out an agreement so the project could move forward.

In addition to upgrading the aging transmission line, CMP has touted the project as Maine’s own stimulus package due to the jobs created and funds being pumped into the economy.

A report released in February 2009 by the University of Southern Maine Center for Business and Economic Research said 2,250 people would be employed over the life of the project. It is also projected to increase Maine’s GDP by $436 million.

CMP has also hired many Maine contractors and suppliers ”“ more than half of the total are in state. In addition, CMP has trumpeted the “multiplier effect” of the project, which has had some positive impacts on area businesses where work is being done. Workers are eating at local restaurants and picking up items at local stores ”“ giving Maine towns a boost when crews are in their areas.

Another major gain from this project is the environmental land that will be preserved through an agreement with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection for the company to mitigate clearing in its corridors by funding conservation lands and efforts. Close to 5,000 acres and $1.5 million in compensation funds have gone to the State of Maine and various conservation groups to preserve parcels in the state.

This project is a good opportunity to upgrade transmission capability for future generations, and we hope CMP will continue to hire Maine people and contractors to boost local economies while working with towns like Kennebunk to mitigate environmental impacts and ensure the project is positive for all.