Verrill Dana’s Energy Group represents regulated transmission and distribution utilities in the development and permitting of electric transmission and distribution lines. From 34.5 kV lines to 345 kV lines, our Energy Group is well-positioned to obtain Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity from the Maine PUC for the construction of new electric lines, address environmental permits and real estate issues, provide stakeholder management services and resolve financing, tax and other development concerns.
The following are significant examples of electric transmission and distribution matters handled by our Energy Group:
- Bangor Hydro: Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity - In 2009 Verrill Dana obtained a Maine PUC CPCN for Bangor Hydro Electric Company, authorizing Bangor Hydro to construct, own and operate a new 115 kV electric transmission line in Washington County, Maine known as the Downeast Reliability Project.
- Northeast Reliability Interconnect - In 2005, Verrill Dana obtained a Maine PUC CPCN and Department of Environmental Protection and Army Corps of Engineers environmental approvals for the construction and operation of the Northeast Reliability Interconnect (NRI), a 345 kV electric transmission line extending from Orrington, Maine to the St. Croix River in Baileyville, on the U.S. – Canada border. The NRI links the electrical systems of New England with the Canadian Maritimes Provinces.
- Reclassifying as a FERC-Jurisdictional Transmission Line - In 2010, Madison Electric Works (MEW), an electric utility serving Madison, Maine, explored reclassifying its 115-kV power line as a FERC-jurisdictional transmission line. We advised MEW as to the steps necessary to obtain FERC-jurisdictional status, and researched the regulatory regime under which MEW would find itself were the reclassification to succeed.
- Emera Maine: Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity - In 2014 and 2015, Verrill Dana has represented Emera Maine before the PUC in securing a CPCN for Emera’s proposed 138 kV transmission line providing a new interconnection between the Northern Maine electric system and the New Brunswick, Canada system. The proposed line is needed to address reliability concerns regarding the ability of the Northern Maine transmission system to meet customer demand under peak load conditions.
