The New England Clean Energy Connect is most likely one of the most important projects to ever be proposed in Maine. While I understand the localized environmental concerns, the benefits this project brings with it are too important to pass up.

Hydropower is also more reliable than the fossil fuels we use. When extreme cold kicks in, prices don’t spike. That is certainly not the case with oil, gas or coal. Stable prices means our bills will be lower in the long run.

The NECEC also means a lot to those of us who would be working on the project. I’ve worked on other major projects like the NECEC and it’s a challenge. I take great pride in the work I do. I know we can build this transmission line safely, and the route of the project absolutely minimizes the impact to the local environment. There is no pristine forest in the path of this line. The new corridor being built is entirely on working forests that have been harvested for at least a century.

Most importantly, it will significantly lower our carbon footprint by removing millions of metric tons of carbon from our air each and every year. The true impact of that won’t be noticed right away, but it is our responsibility to make sure future generations will not suffer the very real effects of climate change. Time is ticking. We need to act now.

Nate Ayers

Augusta


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