As part of the team developing the New England Clean Power Link, or NECPL, in Vermont, I’m compelled to respond to statements made by John Carroll from Central Maine Power in a May 23 article regarding CMP’s New England Clean Energy Connect project that may mislead readers (“Farmington rethinks endorsement of Quebec to Massachusetts power line”).

Carroll suggests that the NECPL that TDI-NE is developing in Vermont was not as “thoughtful” or as “carefully” sited as his company’s project. This is not correct.

It is firmly established in Vermont that the NECPL is a well-sited, strongly supported, low-impact project that utilizes existing rights of way along its entire 154-mile route. Unlike the CMP proposal, the NECPL is fully buried and does not require clearing to create a new overhead transmission corridor with the associated visual, community and environmental impacts. By comparison, according to CMP’s regulatory filings, the CMP project will result in over 1,800 acres of clearing and 180 acres of wetland impacts. The permitted NECPL route TDI-NE is using will result in 48 acres of clearing and has 5 acres of wetland impacts

TDI-NE and Vermonters are proud of the low-impact design of the NECPL. The innovative, buried design is the next generation of transmission solutions. Similar to Maine, and unlike southern New England states, Vermont is not in need of large quantities of new energy. For this reason, TDI-NE determined it was appropriate to provide a benefits package to the host state of Vermont.

The New England Clean Power Link remains the only transmission solution in New England with all major permits and we stand ready to help the region transition to a clean energy future.

Josh Bagnato

VP, project development

TDI-NE

Charlotte, Vermont