New Power Line Brings Clean Energy to 20% of Massachusetts

Massachusetts just flipped the switch on a massive clean energy project that's been 10 years in the making, and it's going to power one in five homes across the state.

The New England Clean Energy Connect is now operational, carrying hydroelectric power 145 miles from Quebec to Massachusetts. With the capacity to deliver 1,200 megawatts of electricity, this high-voltage transmission line represents a game changer for a region racing to eliminate carbon emissions by 2050.

Households across Massachusetts can expect to save about $18 to $20 annually on their electric bills, thanks to a 20-year fixed-price contract. That adds up to roughly $50 million in savings statewide every year, and those numbers could grow as electricity demand increases.

Getting here wasn't easy. The project faced fierce opposition in Maine, where 54 miles of forest had to be cleared to make room for the transmission corridor. In 2021, nearly 60% of Maine voters rejected the project in a ballot referendum, halting construction midway through.

Developers sued, and a jury verdict in 2023 finally allowed work to resume. The delays added more than $500 million to the project's cost, but experts say Massachusetts ratepayers will still come out ahead.

Maine isn't walking away empty-handed either. Governor Janet Mills negotiated a deal that will save Maine residents at least $14 million annually through discounted electricity. The project developers have also committed millions toward energy efficiency programs, broadband access, and heat pumps for low-income households in the state.

The Ripple Effect

The benefits extend beyond Massachusetts and Maine. Electric customers throughout New England should see lower bills as affordable hydropower displaces more expensive fossil fuel energy in the regional grid.

The timing couldn't be better. For the first time in decades, electricity demand across New England is expected to rise this year, just as offshore wind projects face uncertain futures. This transmission line provides the clean energy capacity the region desperately needs.

Experts call this moment a significant milestone for clean energy in New England. The little clean electrons are finally flowing, proving that even the toughest infrastructure challenges can be overcome when the stakes are high enough.