(Forks, Maine) A major Hydro-Quebec electricity export project is tearing apart the citizens of Maine who must vote on its future by referendum on Tuesday, November 2. In the communities located near the 233-kilometer route of the Appalachian-Maine interconnection line, the worksite raises both environmental fears and the hope of economic revitalization.
The line that would pass through Maine to export 9.45 terawatt-hours annually to Massachusetts, a contract that could bring billions of dollars to the crown corporation, runs the risk of being rejected by Maine residents. This would represent a second setback for Hydro-Quebec after the abandonment of the initial project to pass electricity through New Hampshire in 2019, due to popular opposition.
Elizabeth Caruso, elected from Caratunk, is among the first people to have launched the mobilization against the project in Maine. The municipality of less than 80 souls “if you count the children” located almost an hour from the Canadian border officially opposed the project. “You see that white hair,” she replies, pointing to her salt and pepper hair when asked how much time is spent in her efforts to end the project.
For meme Caruso, the interconnection line would disrupt the lives of residents to allow Hydro-Quebec and Central Power Maine (CMP), the partner who is building the portion of the line in the United States, to rake in “billions”.
She is worried about the consequences of the construction of the line on the Northwoods forest in the upstate. “CMP and Hydro-Quebec are trying to impose a scar across a sector that is very sensitive to the environment,” she denounces. It will change the landscape. ”
She fears the project will harm the tourism industry, on which the region’s economy depends. “In the region, everything is linked to recreational tourism. Businesses, inns, gas stations, restaurants are all supported by tourism. When we are in an off-season, restaurants and inns close because there is no one left. ”
Owner of Hawk’s Nest Lodge in nearby Forks, Peter Dostie shares these concerns. Seated at the reception of his inn with rustic decor, the entrepreneur says he is convinced that the project opens a breach to build wind turbines, which would destroy the charm of the landscape, according to him. CMP ensures that it does not caress this project. “They lie to us in the face!” », Indignant Mr. Dostie.
The entrepreneur fears that tourists will abandon the region if the project goes ahead. “People will move on. They will go elsewhere. ”
At CMP, we assure that the line will not have a negative impact on tourism. “There’s been really a lot of effort to reduce the visual impact,” comments Katie Yates, community relations manager for New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC), the name of the line.
CMP has paid great attention to not disrupting the activities of hiking and recreational vehicle enthusiasts, she adds. The presence of open ground around the lines could even facilitate the movement of animal species. “Some hunters like to hunt near power lines. ”
Despite these steps, opposition to the project would however be strong among hunters and fishermen. In 2018, the Sportman’s Alliance of Maine (SAM), a lobby that represents them, withdrew its support after a survey of its members showed “overwhelming” opposition. Its president David Trahan did not return our calls.
Entrepreneurs in northern Maine are in favor of the project. We tried to reach three of them without success. It must be said that the referendum campaign is a subject that divides. This is the reason why another owner of a business in the area refused to grant us an interview. “I understand why you are asking me the question, but I have no interest in answering you, because I have clients in favor and clients against,” he responds politely.
Mme Yates considers it misleading to portray the Northwoods Forest as virgin land of human intervention. “This is land intended for logging,” she says. Some trees on the route are small, as they were only planted 10 years ago. ”
Mr. Dostie acknowledges that there are sometimes logging in the Northwoods Forest. “Yes, they are cutting, but the trees are growing back. These trees [sur le tracé de la ligne] will never grow back! ”
Economic benefits
In Lewiston, where the line ends to the south, the city strongly supports the project. The possibility of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 3 million metric tonnes by using Hydro-Québec surpluses, alone, is enough to convince Lincoln Jeffers, director of the economic development department of the second largest city of the state. “It’s good for New England, it’s good for Maine. ”
Nearly half of the US $ 1 billion invested in the project will be deployed in Lewiston, where the infrastructure will be built to bring electricity from Hydro-Quebec to Massachusetts, explains the municipal official at a conference table where there are ‘thick files.
He estimates that the project will increase municipal tax revenues from US $ 6 million to US $ 7 million out of a total budget of about US $ 50 million. “Our economy is diversified, but we have some poorer areas downtown,” he explains, pointing to a city map on the wall. Increasing property values will help us lower municipal taxes and make cities more attractive to businesses. ”
For the municipality of Jay, the potential tax revenues generated by the project are “welcome”, admits Paul Binette, collection agent. Municipal taxes increased from 2011 to 2018 due to difficulties in the paper industry. The situation had stabilized recently, but a factory explosion in 2020 dealt another economic blow to the city.
Mr. Binette specifies that he is a neutral agent in the debate. “The decision is up to the citizens of Maine. If they refuse the project, “no” means “no” and the taxes will increase. ”
Peter Dostie, who is also the City of Forks collection officer, admits the CMP project would bring tax revenue to his village. “It will not compensate for the damage that will be done. ”
The project is a golden opportunity for Maine’s economy, believes Dana Connors, president of the Maine Chamber of Commerce, located in the state capital of Augusta, where the line does not cross. He fears that by canceling the project, companies fear investing in Maine. “It’s not every day that you can have an investment of US $ 1 billion that will be fully paid for by residents of another state [Massachusetts]. ”
Mr. Dostie believes, for his part, that the voters will reject the Hydro-Quebec project. “There are certain things that are sacred in Maine: the lobster industry, the elk population and the Northwoods forest. ”