Governor LePage welcomes regional effort to import more hydropower from Quebec 

AUGUSTA –Governor Paul R. LePage today applauded a regional effort that seeks to bring competitive hydroelectric power to Maine and New England.

 Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island and Vermont have launched an initiative to secure cleaner, cheaper power options by importing large amounts of hydro into New England. The New England States Committee on Electricity (NESCOE) will evaluate the expansion of large hydro and create a strategic plan to be presented to New England Governors later this year.

Governor LePage has proposed removing the 100-megawatt limit on renewable sources of energy, which would allow Maine to import significantly more hydro from Quebec.

“Lowering the cost of energy is vital to making our business climate more competitive,” said Governor LePage. “I continue to push for energy policies that will allow Maine to import clean, renewable and affordable hydro power, which will provide our businesses with electricity at lower rates. The plan by NESCOE will allow us to partner with the entire region and get for the most affordable prices for the Maine ratepayer.”

The benefits of clean hydropower include reducing and stabilizing electricity prices; enhancing fuel diversity; increasing electric grid reliability; reducing environmental impact from the energy sector; and encouraging energy resources from within the region.

“It makes sense to work with our regional partners to bring more of this clean energy resource to New England,” said Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick.

“Vermont has long worked to have a diverse mix of green, clean sources of electricity that can address climate change in a way that is affordable for ratepayers, and hydropower is an important part of furthering those goals,” said Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin.

“Governor LePage envisioned a regional partnership to bring competitive hydroelectric power to Maine and New England since he took office, and this is a critical step in moving forward with this objective,” said Patrick Woodcock, Director of the Maine Governor’s Energy Office. “Maine welcomes this leadership from the State of Massachusetts, as well as our regional partners, and looks forward to collaborating to bring additional hydroelectricity to New England and ultimately developing a true regional renewable energy market.”