AUGUSTA — The hearing examiner for the Public Utilities Commission has recommended that Central Maine Power be granted an exemption from Saco’s city ordinances, allowing the company to install a high voltage electricity line in the city.
The hearing examiner’s report was released on Tuesday. The report is a staff analysis, and not a final decision.
CMP has proposed a plan that would replace an existing power line with a double circuit line, which would have a 115 kV line and a 34.5 kV line. The 34.5 kV line could be replaced in the future with a 115 kV line, if need be.
The proposed project would span 7.3 miles through Saco and replace 175 wood poles, which are 35 feet high, with 96 metal poles, which are 85 feet high.
The path of the proposed line runs alongside Saco Middle School and the Chelsea Circle, Jenkins Road and Rotary Drive neighborhoods.
About a year ago, the PUC, which governs CMP and other utilities, had ordered the lines to be installed above ground.
The project is not in compliance with city ordinance and was denied by the Planning Board last March.
In late 2008, the city passed an ordinance that requires high voltage lines to be buried underground if they run within 200 feet of any residence, school building or playground, public recreation field or place of employment.
Last summer, CMP applied for a waiver to the PUC to allow it to override Saco’s ordinance and install the high voltage lines. The PUC has the authority to override local ordinances.
CMP Spokesman John Carroll said the company was pleased with the report. The company has been working on the project for nearly five years, and wants to get it in place to meet the needs of the increasing demand of electricity.
“It’s been a very long process. We look forward to getting something built,” said Carroll.
Saco Mayor Roland Michaud said that he was disappointed by the report, but was not surprised. Michaud said he thought the attorney for the city had made a good case, but the city was “fighting a Goliath.”
“The deck is stacked against the local communities,” said Michaud.
The city and local abutters have been very actively involved in the process over the past nearly five years. Michaud said he’s proud of the city, which stood behind its community in the process.
Central Maine Power argues that the cost of extending the line would be about $20 million, while the city argues that the actual cost of burying the lines has not been established by CMP, according to the report by PUC hearing examiner Matthew Kaply.
The PUC reports the cost of burying 1,000 feet of the project would be in excess of $2 million.
“Accordingly, we find that an exemption is necessary to avoid a significant increase in the cost of this project,” said Kaply.
A concern was raised in the past, by both the city and abutters to the project, that the proposed lines would increase the electromagnetic fields, but the PUC has stated that the proposed lines would decrease the electromagnetic fields.
Attorney Nicholas Nadzo, on behalf of the city, submitted to the PUC in October a letter of opposition to CMP’s request. Among his arguments, he stated that studies show high-voltage power lines would decrease the value of abutting homes.
PUC Spokeswoman Evelyn deFrees said that comments on the report from involved parties are due Dec. 20. Closing arguments, where both parties can state their cases to the three commissioners, are scheduled for 1 p.m. on Jan. 4, according to deFrees. A date for a final decision by the PUC has not been scheduled.
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
