CMP Greater Portland Transmission Upgrades
Summary
CMP plans to rebuild its easement line as a much larger 115-kV transmission line, meaning significant tree clearing on city and Land Bank conservation land near the Presumpscot River Preserve, including up to 50 feet into the Oat Nuts portion. The commission wants a CMP briefing and may push for lower-impact options like double-circuiting; the PUC public comment deadline is end of October.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 4
- Last 30 days
- 4
Rising — discussed at 4 meetings since Oct 5, 2026, up from 0 in the two months before.
Impact analysis
Residents worry ratepayers could bear significant costs and that alternative solutions may be cheaper; a ratepayer cost assessment was requested.
Conserved land, riverfront buffers, and nearby residents would benefit if lower-impact designs are adopted.
Forested sections of the Presumpscot River Preserve and nearby condo residents face tree clearing and visual impacts.
Mentions & discussions (4)
Sustainability and Transportation Committee - Oct 21, 2026
CMP wants to build a $547 million, roughly 15-mile transmission line through existing corridors from Falmouth to the Portland peninsula, saying today's reliability problems and peninsula growth demand it. Critics question whether the need is proven and whether cheaper or less harmful alternatives (including highway routing) were properly evaluated; residents worry about property impacts, especially in the Hope Avenue/North Deering area.
City Council - Oct 19, 2026
CMP wants to rebuild lines and add 115 kV transmission lines with steel poles up to 110 feet tall through North Deering neighborhoods, trails, and Falmouth. Residents say they learned about it weeks or days before PUC deadlines. The council unanimously authorized the Mayor to testify at the PUC to protect residents' right to comment.
Land Bank Commission - Oct 14, 2026
CMP plans to rebuild its easement line as a much larger 115-kV transmission line, meaning significant tree clearing on city and Land Bank conservation land near the Presumpscot River Preserve, including up to 50 feet into the Oat Nuts portion. The commission wants a CMP briefing and may push for lower-impact options like double-circuiting; the PUC public comment deadline is end of October.
City Council - Oct 5, 2026
Residents from Ocean Ridge and Ledgewood condominiums warned the council about CMP's proposed transmission upgrade: 110-foot steel poles, a 100-150 foot cleared corridor, tree clearing near homes, and damage to Portland Trails along the corridor. They asked the council to demand an independent assessment of need before the PUC approves anything.
We'll email you when it's on an upcoming agenda and when it's voted on, at most once a day.
The weekly brief for Portland
What the council decided, in plain English — one email a week.
Free. Unsubscribe with one click any time. We never sell your email.