Maine Power Companies Trigger Environmental Paperwork Marathon
Published Date: 1/15/2025
Notice
Summary
Presumpscot Hydro LLC and Dichotomy Power Maine LLC want to upgrade their hydroelectric projects in Maine by boosting power output and updating transmission lines. These changes will improve energy efficiency and involve building a new transformer and rerouting some power lines. The government will review the environmental impact and plans to share their findings by May 2025, giving everyone a chance to weigh in.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Hydro units uprated; lines rerouted
The co-licensees propose upgrades at two hydro projects in Cumberland County, Maine that would increase installed capacity from 1.80 megawatts (MW) to 1.99 MW and reduce hydraulic capacity from 822 to 796 cubic feet per second. The proposal also includes building a new transformer at the Eel Weir Project, removing a 3.5-mile 11-kV transmission line and a 10-mile 11-kV feeder, and constructing a new 12.5-kV primary line using an existing 0.62-mile right-of-way to tie into the North Windham Substation.
EA issued with 30-day public comment
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission staff will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) for the proposed changes and plans to issue the EA by May 5, 2025. The EA will be available for a 30-day public comment period, and the Commission's Office of Public Participation can help landowners, environmental justice communities, Tribal members, and others access information and file interventions or comments.
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