Unveiling “a major initiative” to ensure the continued reliability of its bulk power transmission system, Energy East Corp. subsidiary Central Maine Power Co. (CMP) said last week that it has launched its Maine Power Reliability Program (MPRP). The transmission system includes 475 miles of 345-kV lines plus substations and control facilities that link New Brunswick, Canada to New Hampshire and southern New England.

CMP, which delivers electricity to 564,000 customers in central and southern Maine, added that the system has operated reliably for almost 40 years without significant changes. The MPRP was implemented to address Maine’s significant growth over the past four decades and the region’s expanding need for a reliable electric system.

“The transmission lines that make up the backbone of our system were built in the early 1970s,” said Sara Burns, president of CMP. “Those lines are now like a congested roadway with too many cars and trucks. This congestion raises costs and makes the whole system less reliable. What we built nearly 40 years ago has served us well, but it’s our responsibility to modernize our system and keep ahead of growing demand.”

CMP said it expects to complete by late 2007 a comprehensive study of the region’s power needs and electrical infrastructure as the first step in the MPRP. The company is preparing the study in coordination with the Independent System Operator for New England (ISO-NE), which operates the region’s bulk electric power system and oversees the regional electric energy market.

“The MPRP will require a greater level of investment in the bulk power system,” Burns added. “We already make substantial annual investments in our local transmission and distribution facilities, including $340 million over the past five years. As the MPRP project moves ahead, we will continue that effort in addition to our new investments in the 345-kV system.”

The study will lay the groundwork for developing a multi-year plan for system enhancements and will include:

Earlier this month CMP announced a separate but related effort to study bulk power transmission connections to northern Maine in cooperation with Maine Public Service Co., the utility that serves the state’s northern counties. Seeking an end to isolation of the state’s northern power grid, the utilities agreed to study the feasibility of a new power transmission line that would directly connect the Aroostook County power grid to the rest of the state.

Any projects to improve the region’s bulk power infrastructure will be subject to review and approval of the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC), ISO-NE and other regulatory authorities. For more information, go to the MPRP website at www.mainepower.com.

The state has had a busy couple of months as it attempts to provide its energy consumers with the best possible product. In January the PUC indicated it is still seriously considering pulling the state’s electric utilities out of the ISO-NE due to inequities within the system. Commissioners said they were considering their options, which include forming a statewide independent transmission company or partnering with neighboring Canadian provinces to form a new regional transmission organization. The latter idea has been debated for at least five years.

Last month Maine Gov. John Baldacci and New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham signed a memorandum of understanding to explore ways that the two governments can promote joint development of new renewable power resources and increase transmission connections between the state and the province. Baldacci said Maine consumers are shouldering the burden of transmission and capacity costs for other states in New England. This has prompted the governor to join the state legislature in requesting that the PUC study alternatives to benefit Maine.

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