AUGUSTA — Maine State Senator Chloe Maxmin, a Democrat representing Senate District 13, joined House District 101 Representative Jennifer Poirier, R-Skowhegan, in calling on Governor Janet Mills to let Maine people decide the question of whether or not to proceed with the New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) project.

In a May 27 letter, the lawmakers called upon the Governor to “use whatever influence and authority you have to ensure that voters will decide this important issue, not construction equipment,” and urged the Governor to “support the right of Maine people to decide the question of whether or not to proceed.” 

Earlier this month, a judge lifted the injunction on 53 miles of untouched wilderness lands the project cuts through. 

“In light of that decision, we are concerned that Central Maine Power will go-ahead ‘full throttle’ before the people of Maine are given a chance to voice their approval or disapproval by voting on it in November,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter to Governor Mills. 

Though the lawmakers noted in the letter they have been active voices against the project, they are willing to accept the will of Mainers at the polls. 

“They should decide whether the trade-off between preserving pristine wilderness for future generations is worth the purported economic benefits,” they wrote. “More than 75,000 signatures were collected and certified, meaning the public has earned a right to weigh in on the question of the corridor.” 

In the letter’s closing, the lawmakers stated a failure to delay or slow the project will result in destruction difficult or impossible to reverse. 

“As Governor, you should stand behind the thousands of Mainers who demand a voice in the process, even as you advocate for construction of the NECEC corridor.” 

Lindsay Crete, the press secretary for Governor Mills, has yet respond to an email inquiring if the Governor had a response to the letter. 

Senator Maxmin serves the communities of Alna, Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Bremen, Bristol, Coopers Mills, Damariscotta, Edgecomb, Hibberts Gore, Jefferson, Louds Island, Medomak, Monhegan Island Plantation, Newcastle, New Harbor, Nobleboro, Pemaquid, Round Pond, Somerville, South Bristol, Southport, Waldoboro, Washington, Westport Island, Whitefield, Windsor, and Wiscasset.