As voters cast their ballots for the November 2 elections, Mainers decided on three statewide referendum questions, including one that will determine the future of the Central Maine Power Corridor. This question was placed on the Maine ballot via a citizen initiative.

Question 1 reads: Do you want to ban the construction of high-impact electric transmission lines in the Upper Kennebec Region and to require the Legislature to approve all other such projects anywhere in Maine, both retroactively to 2020, and to require the Legislature, retroactively to 2014, to approve by a two-thirds vote such projects using public land?

The bill’s summary reads:

“This initiated bill requires the approval of the Legislature for the construction of high- impact electric transmission lines and provides that high-impact electric transmission lines crossing or utilizing public lands must be approved by 2/3 of all the members elected to each House of the Legislature. This initiated bill also prohibits the construction of high- impact electric transmission lines in the Upper Kennebec Region. These provisions apply retroactively to September 16, 2020, the date of filing of this initiative.

“This initiated bill also requires the approval of 2/3 of all the members elected to each House of the Legislature for any use of public lands for transmission lines and facilities and certain other projects. This provision applies retroactively to September 16, 2014.”

Voting YES on the question will halt the construction of the CMP Corridor, and establish a provision that any other such project must first be approved by the Legislature. Furthermore, if any projects dating back to 2014 are on public lands, passage of this measure would require that two-thirds of the Legislature approve the project on public land. 

Voting NO on the question would clear the way for the CMP Corridor to continue, and the Legislature would not be tasked with voting on future projects.