The legislation will go into effect immediately because it was passed by more than a two-thirds majority and included an emergency enactor provision. Governor Baldacci signed the bill, LD 1485, An Act Regarding Maine's Energy Future, into law. The bill contains in Part F a moratorium on large new transmission lines until a newly created study commission reports and the Legislature acts on its report.

According to Anthony Buxton, general counsel to the Industrial Energy Consumer Group (IECG), "This decision effectively blocks certain lines from Canada and will help pressure Canada to allow Maine to transport LNG through Canadian waters. In turn, LNG will lower our electric rates by 10-15%, if we have LNG storage in Maine."

Members of the Maine Jobs First coalition, a group of Maine-based manufacturers, labor unions and energy developers who joined forces to make sure the project would not leave Maine saddled with unintended consequences, has raised concerns regarding the corridor's lack of benefits for Maine's workers and citizens. The coalition is very pleased to learn that the Canadian proposal will now be sent to a legislative study committee.

"We are relieved that the Legislature clearly heard our concerns and acted accordingly" said John Hanson, Executive Director of the Maine State Building and Construction Trades Council. "This proposal was seriously flawed and put Maine in the back seat so that the Irving Oil Corporation could get to the bank faster."

About the proposed energy corridor
The proposed energy corridor, first announced in March, would be four times larger than any other transmission line in New England and would serve as a conduit, connecting New Brunswick's growing energy hub to more profitable markets in Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Soon after the idea was announced, representatives including Maine-based manufacturers, labor unions and energy developers formed the Maine Jobs First coalition to make sure the project would not leave Maine saddled with unintended consequences.

"To us, the original proposal made no sense whatsoever," Hanson explained. "We understand why Irving Oil was itching to build this thing, but we didn't believe that Maine should bear the costs while Canada gets all the cash."

"The next 18 months will determine a great deal about Maine's energy future." Buxton explained. "Are we a through-way with parking lots, or are we a community with industry? Are we a producer of renewable energy or a passive bystander?"

Maine Jobs First representatives say they will closely monitor the work of the legislative study committee.

"Why should Maine people pay to build energy facilities in Canada instead of Maine?" said Glenn Poole, president of the Industrial Energy Consumers Group and member of the Maine Jobs First Coalition. "A huge energy corridor with no off ramps and only one on-ramp would seriously jeopardize pending energy projects right here in Maine."

"With Maine's energy future at stake, we should not be sacrificing opportunities on our side of the border," Poole said. "We're glad to see that this massive corridor will get more scrutiny, because Maine simply can't afford to get this wrong."

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