MPS and CMP Report on Preliminary Findings of Maine Power Connection Feasibility Study
10 Abril 2008 - 2:36PM
Marketwired
PRESQUE ISLE, ME , a subsidiary of Maine & Maritimes
Corporation (AMEX: MAM), and Central Maine Power Company (CMP), a
subsidiary of Energy East, today reported on the preliminary
conclusions of the Maine Power Connection (MPC) feasibility study.
The MPC study evaluates the feasibility of connecting the Maine
Public Service system to the rest of the Maine and New England
electric grid and to support development of substantial wind energy
resources in northern Maine.
The Maine Power Connection, a joint project of MPS and CMP,
commenced with a feasibility study in March of 2007 in response to
concerns over the lack of electric power competition in northern
Maine. In 2006 the Maine Public Utilities Commission's standard
offer solicitation attracted only one bid. Also, MPS has received
connection requests to provide transmission service for more than
800 MW (megawatts) of proposed wind generation projects in
Aroostook County. Presently, MPS does not have adequate
transmission capacity to handle all of these requests.
Brent Boyles, President and CEO of Maine Public Service, said,
"Based on the preliminary findings of our feasibility study, we are
moving ahead with a more detailed analysis of a possible 345 kV
transmission line from Limestone to the Detroit area, where it
would connect to the CMP system and the New England grid. We are
evaluating the use of existing transmission corridors between
Houlton and Hayesville and possible new routes between the Detroit
area and Chester, and between Houlton and Limestone. Also, we will
continue to analyze the feasibility of a third 345 kV interconnect
with eastern Canada."
"We are excited to be working with Maine Public Service on such
an important project," said Sara Burns, President of CMP. "Creating
access to renewable resources is critical to gaining control of our
electricity costs here in Maine, and it's essential to reaching our
environmental goals. Through this partnership, northern Maine can
be a leader in those efforts, while expanding their local
employment and tax base."
Boyles added, "The Maine Power Connection provides competitive
regional electricity costs for customers in northern Maine,
enhances market access for renewable energy sources, allowing up to
800 MW of wind development; improves system reliability for
northern Maine, Maine and New England; reduces carbon dioxide
emissions and other pollutants; enhances State and local tax bases;
creates green jobs, stimulates new R&D initiatives and provides
more than $1 billion in potential energy investment."
The MPC feasibility study is divided into three phases:
-- Phase 1: Interconnect MPS territory to the New England electric grid
-- Phase 2: Interconnect MPS, plus 800 MW proposed wind projects
-- Phase 3: New northern Maine interconnect with eastern Canada
The study reached the following preliminary conclusions:
Phase 1:
-- 138 kV interconnection would be sufficient to connect existing MPS
system with the New England grid at estimated cost of $40 million
-- Not economically feasible if MPS ratepayers fund the project --
costs outweigh the potential economic benefits to MPS ratepayers
Phase 2:
-- MPS currently has transmission interconnection requests for more
than 800 MW of potential wind generation projects
-- New transmission capacity will support major wind development in
Aroostook County
-- Connecting MPS to the New England grid with a 345 kV transmission
line will support wind generation projects and be economically
feasible with the participation of ISO-NE and its member utilities
Phase 3:
-- A third Canadian interconnect merits further investigation
-- May provide access to additional renewable energy resources
CMP and MPS expect to complete the Phase 2 feasibility study by
the Summer of 2008.
More information and a slide presentation outlining preliminary
project participants are available on the Maine Power Connection
website at www.mainepowerconnection.com.
About Maine Public Service Company:
Maine Public Service Company, a subsidiary of Maine &
Maritimes Corporation (AMEX: MAM) is a regulated electric
transmission and distribution utility serving approximately 36,000
electricity customer accounts in northern Maine. MAM is also the
parent company of MAM Utility Services Group, an unregulated
wholly-owned US subsidiary which focuses on such areas as
transmission infrastructure to support wind generation, utility
asset maintenance contracts, and other utility-related services.
Corporate headquarters are located in Presque Isle, Maine, and the
corporate website is www.maineandmaritimes.com.
About Central Maine Power Company:
Central Maine Power, a subsidiary of Energy East Corporation
(NYSE: EAS), a regulated electric transmission and distribution
utility, operates more than 25,000 miles of power lines and other
facilities that deliver electricity to 600,000 electricity
customers in Maine. The corporate website is: www.cmpco.com.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information:
Except for historical information, all other information
provided in this news release consists of "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1935. Although Maine & Maritimes Corporation
believes that such statements are based on reasonable assumptions,
any such statements involve uncertainties and risks that may cause
actual results to differ materially from those projected,
anticipated, or implied. MAM cautions that there are certain
factors that can cause actual results to differ materially from
forward-looking information that has been provided, including,
without limitation, potential changes in applicable laws and
regulations, potential changes in Management, its ability to raise
necessary operating and growth capital, increased interest costs,
its ability to execute its business plans in a timely and efficient
manner, the loss of customers and other factors that are more
detailed in MAM's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
MAM-G = General Releases
For More Information Contact: Virginia R. Joles Director of
Communications Board Relations and Economic Development Tel:
207.760.2418 www.maineandmaritimes.com
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