A timeline of the Section 80 transmission line rebuild project, from the identified need for an upgrade to accommodate capacity, needs to regulatory approval, permitting, and construction.
The Section 80 rebuild project initially was proposed as part of the Maine Power Reliability Project (MPRP) that began in 2008 and was completed in 2015.
In 2010, the Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC), as part of its proceedings regarding MPRP, deferred the Section 80 project for a few reasons that included a review of local transmission planning standards.
In 2018, the MPUC stayed the Section 80 project under its MPRP proceeding stating its uncertainty of "the status or the results of the anticipated Independent System Operator of New England (ISO-NE) Maine Needs Assessment."
Subsequently, according to the MPUC, local transmission planning standards were approved, and ISO-NE issued its "Final Upper Maine (ME) 2029 Needs Assessment." (See CMP MPUC Approval Order June 2022 in the Document Library.)
ISO-NE identified this line as needing significant reliability improvements to mitigate capacity concerns, plus to meet current North America Electric Reliability Commission (NERC) standards.
CMP submits a letter to the MPUC requesting it to evaluate the Section 80 transmission line rebuild and approve a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN). A Non-Wires Alternative (NWA) Review by the Non-Wire Alternatives Coordinator in the Maine Office of Public Advocate is required.
MPUC approves CMP's Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. No NWA was approved.
CMP's Energy Land Management agents begin contacting several property owners for permission to access the right of way from their land during construction.
CMP Section 80 Project Team sends "Upcoming Project Notification" letter to 586 abutters and neighbors of the Section 80 transmission line right of way, plus municipal officials in the five communities in which the line is located. Abutters are landowners whose property line touches the right of way or have a CMP easement on their property. Neighbors are landowners who live near the right of way or along roads we will be using for access.
CMP applies for the following permits:
CMP presents Shoreland Zoning and Floodplain Management permit applications to Town of Windsor Planning Board. Tentatively approved pending final review at February meeting and payment of fees.
CMP presents Site Plan Permit application to Town of Washington Planning Board. Requires site visit or acceptable alternative by town code enforcement in lieu of planning board members due to winter conditions. Also, requires a public hearing to be held on February 14, 2023. Town to notify abutters and post a public notice about the public hearing in the Kennebec Journal.
CMP Project, Environmental Permitting, Safety, and construction crews inspect osprey nests on transmission structures in four locations in Windsor and Jefferson. The purpose was to identify any nesting activity from the previous season, and nest viability.
CMP's Section 80 Project Team, including environmental permitting and engineering, conducts a "virtual site visit" of the transmission line's 0.4-mile section in the Town of Washington with the town's code enforcement officer.
Town of Windsor Planning Board approves CMP's Shoreland Zoning and Floodplain management permits.
CMP sends notification to 30 abutters of plans to transfer several osprey nests from its structures near their properties to new platforms that will be installed near existing nests in the Section 80 right of way.
Town of Washington Planning Board conducts public hearing on CMP's Site Plan Permit application. No attendees. Also, the Planning Board reviews and discusses CMP's Site Plan Permit application before voting unanimously to approve it.
CMP construction crews begin laying ground mats in three locations – off Wingard Road in Windsor, and Somerville and Dailey roads in Jefferson – to prepare for the installation of osprey nest platforms.
CMP construction crews begin installing new osprey nest platforms on poles inside CMP's right of Way on Wingard Road in Windsor. Over the next two weeks, more platforms were installed in the right of way off Somerville and Dailey roads in Jefferson.
Town of Warren approves Shoreland Zoning and Flood Hazard Development permits.
Town of Jefferson Shoreland Zone Building Permit application submitted.
Osprey nest moves to new platforms are completed along with the installation of deterrents on existing structures.
Town of Jefferson Shoreland Zone Building Permit is approved and signed by Town of Jefferson Planning Board on March 7, 2023.
As spring approaches and osprey begin their return to Maine, CMP environmental biologists plan to begin monitoring of existing structures and the new platforms for nesting activities in April. Letter is sent to abutters and neighbors of the new platforms to thank them for their patience during the installation of the platforms and to inform them of CMP’s planned nest monitoring activities.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approves CMP’s Maine General Permit through the Pre-Construction Notification Review Process.
Osprey returned to their nesting areas and found that their nests had been moved off the structures onto platforms. They are nesting on three of the four platforms.
Crews will survey the entire transmission line and stake right of way boundaries and environmental features such as wetlands, deer wintering yards, and others.
For more information about CMP’s Section 80 transmission line rebuild, please contact Public Outreach