Environmental group asks Maine to halt corridor construction after CMP’s referendum loss

The Pure Assets Council of Maine, or NRCM, is asking state regulators to cease Central Maine Power from clearing any extra woodlands for its controversial power line in western Maine. That follows Tuesday’s decisive statewide vote for a regulation that goals to kill the enterprise.

CMP’s mother or father agency, Avangrid, has maintained a defiant stance As a Outcome of the vote, vowing to proceed enchancment and looking for a courtroom order To place the voters’ will on maintain whereas it challenges the referendum’s legitimacy.

On Thursday, the NRCM petitioned the state Division of Environmental Safety, To proper away bar enchancment and clearing Inside the hall. Nick Bennett, NRCM’s staff scientist, said CMP is making an try to bolster a authorized argument that it has established “vested propers” Inside the enterprise. He says the place is placing western Maine ecosystems Weak to irreparable harm.

“That is the regulation of the And it will go into influence shortly. Till a courtroom days in any other case Avangrid has to obey the regulation, and DEP ought to cease them from doing any extra damage,” Bennett said.

DEP Commissioner Melanie Loyzim is already contemplating a suspension of a key permit for the enterprise, after a decide invalidated a lease for a portion of The favored hall route that crosses state lands. By Thursday, DEP had not made any public assertion in response to the referendum vote. In a e-mail a CMP spokesman said The agency would proceed to advocate for the enterprise.