On September 17, 2004, Bangor Hydro Electric Company announced the selection of the "Consolidated Corridors Route" as the preferred route for the Northeast Reliability Interconnect project, a proposed new 345 kV transmission line connecting Maine with New Brunswick, Canada. One of five route options under consideration since Sept. 2003, the Consolidated Corridors Route was chosen based on a matrix of nearly 70 criteria developed with feedback from state and federal environmental review agencies, major landowners and interest groups.

The Consolidated Corridors Route begins in Orrington, follows the existing MEPCO transmission line for approximately 15 miles, then turns east for approximately 13 miles until it joins the privately owned forest management road known as the Stud Mill Road, and the Maritimes & Northeast Gas Pipeline. The route then follows the road and the pipeline east to the St. Croix River.

The section of the line from MEPCO to the Stud Mill Road is not co-located because this route facilitates a separation of the line from the Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge and the Maine Youth Fish & Game Association facility at Pickerel Pond. The route departs from the road and pipeline for a short distance in one other area to by-pass a historic site and a group of camps.

Locating the transmission line along this established road and utility corridor rather than on undisturbed land in relatively remote regions of Penobscot, Hancock and Washington Counties is the best way to reduce overall impacts to the human and natural environment. It is also consistent with the goal of co-locating linear infrastructure projects to the maximum extent practicable. The Consolidated Corridors Route is co-located with an existing utility corridor for approximately 84% of the route. In addition, approximately 73% of the route is on land belonging to just two large landowners, enabling Bangor Hydro to avoid impacts to smaller parcels and residential areas.

Click here for a map showing the Consolidated Corridors Route in pdf format.