Green Line

Benefits

The New England States Committee on Electricity’s (NESCOE) “New England Governors’ Renewable Energy Blueprint” issued in 2009 concluded that in order for the New England States to meet their renewable energy goals, new transmission needs to be constructed in the region. Green Line will expand the transmission grid in New England and help to deliver competitively priced non-carbon emitting resources in Maine and eastern Canada. Access to these resources is essential if the New England states are going to meet their renewable portfolio standards (RPS) and Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) goals in a reliable and cost effective manner.

Minimal Environmental Impacts

Green Line’s design, development and operation are intended to minimize adverse impacts on the environment.  By confining its terrestrial segment as much as possible to an existing right of way and installing more than half its length as an underwater cable, Green Line minimizes the adverse environmental impacts associated with new greenfield overhead transmission lines capable of transmitting the same amount of energy between Maine and Boston. Overhead DC lines require a much narrower right-of-way than AC lines carrying the same amount of power. Converter stations located at the each end of the transmission line are simple low-rise buildings whose exterior can be designed to be compatible with the surrounding area.

Supports Renewable Energy Development in Maine

Green Line will support the development of renewable energy resources in Maine, with an associated increase in jobs and tax base. Maine has New England’s greatest potential for renewable energy development, particularly in the areas of wind, biomass, and tidal power. By bypassing the existing AC grid in Maine, renewable energy that flows over Green Line will not compete for limited transmission space in the rest of Maine.

Cost Effective

By enabling large scale development of resources in a single project, Green Line creates an economy of scale that helps drive down the cost of each kilowatt of energy produced and transmitted, thus providing a cost effective way for the New England states to meet their RPS and greenhouse gas reduction goals.

Increases Fuel Diversity

By enabling the development and delivery of more of non-fossil generation in New England, Green Line will help reduce the region’s growing dependence on natural gas and thus help to provide a more reliable mix of fuels.

Industry News

China has begun construction on the world’s largest capacity transmission line. The 800kV high voltage direct current line began on May 13, 2012.  The HVDC line is 1,400 miles long and will carry up to 8,000 megawatts of power.  (Read more…)

Benefits

Green Line will strengthen the transmission grid in New England and help provide greater access to competitively priced non-carbon emitting resources in Maine and eastern Canada. Read more…

Media Coverage

Maine’s Portland Press Herald reports on May 13, 2012 that Central Maine Power’s $1.4 billion transmission upgrade will not provide benefits needed by alternative energy projects in northern and eastern Maine. Read more….



New England Independent Transmission Company, LLC | 401 Edgewater Place, Suite 640, Wakefield, MA 01880 | 781-246-9851