Preserve Rural Maine’s Letter to Members

Dear Friends of Preserve Rural Maine:

I write to update you on Preserve Rural Maine’s recent successes and to ask for your financial support as Board members and volunteers continue the fight to preserve the integrity of Maine’s rural communities, cultures, and the environment.

Preserve Rural Maine (PRM) was founded as a member-based, tax-exempt, non-profit in the summer of 2023 in response to a proposed high-voltage transmission line that was to run through 40+ towns and 3,500 landowner properties. In fact, by the time each affected landowner received notice of this project, it already had been approved by both legislative houses and signed by the Governor, despite not knowing its final route, cost, or impact on thousands of rural landowners and abutters.

New York-based LS Power had been the low bidder for the work essentially by drawing a line from Point A to Point B that bisected these many rural properties, without adequately considering the community, cultural, or environmental havoc that would ensue. In December 2023, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) withdrew LS Power’s option to build the line because the company claimed they could no longer execute the agreement for the agreed-upon $2.9 billion price. Community attention and opposition, led by Preserve Rural Maine members and like-minded citizens, ultimately contributed to this decision. Thank you!

Over the past two years we have learned a lot about high-voltage transmission options, flawed Legislative and Public Utility Commission (PUC) processes, and the aspirations of Maine’s rural residents who seek to live, work, and thrive in a balanced natural environment. PRM volunteers and local town committees spent the past two years organizing and attending scores of local and State House meetings, ultimately earning recognition and a virtual seat at the Energy, Technology, and Utility Committee’s decision-making table, as well as formal representation on the “Maine Transmission Infrastructure Study” being conducted by Governor’s Energy Office (GEO).

Further, over the past two years PRM has:

• Raised awareness about policies and development proposals affecting small towns, farmland, and forests;
• Provided education through public forums, newsletters, and community events, empowering residents to understand how decisions made at the state and local level impact rural life;
• Built partnerships with other organizations, town officials, and advocacy groups to strengthen the collective voice of rural Maine; and
• Engaged citizens in the planning process, encouraging more people to attend public meetings, submit testimony, and speak up for their communities.

Thanks to community support for this work, we succeeded in passing two important laws:

• LD2087, which greatly enhances landowner rights when Eminent Domain is used to take land for transmission lines (read the law here); and

•  LD197, which requires a comprehensive study and plan—not only for the Aroostook Gateway, but for the many future transmission lines that are anticipated, but not currently coordinated (read the law here).

From what we’ve learned by studying best practices required by other states and in Europe, PRM advocates for and encourages legislators and providers to use three guidelines, whenever possible, when planning and constructing these lines:

1. Run High Voltage DC lines (HVDC), rather than High Voltage AC (HVAC) for maximum, long-term efficiencies;
2. Put them underground for safety, weather security, and to minimize impact on landowners and the environment; and
3. Use existing corridors whenever possible to reduce extensive disruptions to lives, livelihoods, and our rural legacy.

Contrary to power companies’ claims that this would be “too expensive” for rate payers, when one looks at long-term costs such as storm clean-up, diminished property values, and the eventual destruction of rural Maine values and lifestyles, these are reasonable options being demanded by rural residents in New Hampshire, Vermont, New York and, increasingly, across the country.

Unfortunately, the fight continues, and the state government and PUC continue to disregard the needs and wishes of rural Maine residents. Just this summer, Maine’s legislature passed a sweeping, irresponsible bill, LD 810, that repeats and enhances the initial mistake of not seeking adequate stakeholder input prior to issuing Requests for Proposals from powerline contractors. This law PRE-APPROVES ALL future power lines that any State agency has recommended–again without knowing their costs, routes, contractors or potential disruption to rural life and values! (read LD 810 here)

To date, PRM volunteers have invested extensive time away from work and their families to attend meetings, do research, and organize within their communities. Year three of our struggle promises to be equally demanding. The dollars generously donated to PRM to date have been spent uniquely on attorney fees, communications, postage, and efforts to educate residents about the risks and options for ensuring a win-win for all stakeholders. We anticipate needing additional funds for these efforts, especially when we get to the point of needing long-term legal guidance.

Finally, the PUC is about to issue another Request For Proposals (RFP) for the Aroostook Gateway project. This time, however, PRM Board members and volunteers are informed and ready for the fight. With your support, we will continue to help ensure that rural and under-served communities are treated fairly. 

Please consider a financial contribution to PRM today. Your gift will help rural residents preserve the lives and values they have chosen for themselves and their families and preserve the environment they inherited.

Further, we seek to increase membership to further legitimize our efforts in the eyes of politicians and the public. If you have a friend, neighbor, or family member who shares your interest in preserving rural lifestyles, please refer them to our website where becoming a member is easy and free: Become a Member

Contributions may be made on the PRM website or by check mailed to Preserve Rural Maine, PO Box 301, Albion, ME 04910. You may also contact me personally for additional information or to share your story or concerns at tanya@PreserveRuralMaine.org.

Thank you in advance for your consideration and support!

Tanya Blanchard

President, Preserve Rural Maine