ME climate groups applaud new clean energy transmission line

By: Kathryn Carley, Public News Service

Climate advocacy groups in Maine are applauding completion of the New England Clean Energy Connect transmission line.

State officials said the long-delayed project will deliver 1,200 megawatts of low-cost hydropower to the region and should help lower household energy bills.

Jeff Marks, executive director of ClimateWork Maine, said despite rollbacks in federal climate policies, the state is forging ahead.

"We are starting to see some progress in this state," Marks acknowledged. "Not just on the renewable generation side, but making sure that we can move those clean energy electrons to where they need to go."

The project is expected to provide nearly $200 million in ratepayer savings. State officials said its construction included extensive environmental mitigation efforts, including the permanent conservation of 50,000 acres of forests in western Maine.

As the Trump administration worked to stop clean energy projects and shift resources back to fossil fuels, 2025 was a tough year for climate advocacy. Construction of offshore wind projects in Maine have been halted despite significant federal and state investments. Still, Marks is optimistic for the future, and noted the state’s climate plan is helping businesses adapt, even if advertising their climate commitments raises the ire of the federal government.

"They are going to keep doing good things for their companies, for their workers and for their communities," Marks pointed out. "It’s built in."

He argued data will continue to show solar and wind power are more affordable than fossil fuels and beyond financial incentives, the state’s progress in the clean energy market will help build more resilient communities and improve public health. He added the pendulum of climate action will eventually swing back toward stronger mitigation and adaptation policies, a shift he stressed Maine is in a position to lead.