Maine and New Brunswick Support International Energy Corridor

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Private Sector to Partner in Feasibility Study for Future Energy Projects

March 25, 2009 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John Baldacci and Premier Shawn Graham announced today that they will work together to explore the development of a Northeast Energy Corridor.

Irving Oil also announced today that it is conducting commercial and technical feasibility on the first phase of development of the Northeast Energy Corridor, which could include 1,200 – 1,500MW of electrical transmission capability.

The improved transmission capability, along with the potential for increased natural gas co-generation, would make it possible to develop more wind power in Maine and New Brunswick.

The Northeast Energy Corridor would support the development of diverse energy sources in both jurisdictions for use in the region and in the Northeast United States.

If implemented, the Northeast Corridor would connect Canada and the U.S., crossing from New Brunswick into Maine, and would reliably and securely deliver a diverse portfolio of energy products from Maine and New Brunswick to the Northeast in the most economically and environmentally efficient way.

“Great potential exists for Maine and New Brunswick to grow and share clean, renewable energy,” said Governor John Baldacci. “For the full potential to be realized, regional transmission capacity must expand. Exploring the potential for private investment in the Northeast Energy Corridor is a vital next step to realizing our shared goals of achieving energy independence, accessing reliable and affordable energy, and reducing carbon emissions on both sides of the border.”

The corridor would provide reliable and secure access for electricity, with an emphasis on renewable power, including wind and tidal, as well as natural-gas-fired co-generation.

“Through these challenging economic times, New Brunswick remains focused on a vision of economic self-sufficiency,” said Premier Shawn Graham. “The concept of a fully integrated Northeast Energy Corridor will provide tangible economic, environmental and energy self-sufficiency benefits for the citizens and businesses of New Brunswick and our friends and neighbors in the State of Maine. The proposed energy corridor will help accelerate the development and deployment of clean, renewable and greenhouse gas free electricity generation resources in both New Brunswick and Maine, as well as provide leadership in helping address and support the overall North American energy security agenda.”

The Northeast Energy Corridor would further the shared strategic objectives of the United States and Canada in the areas of energy supply and energy security; the development of green power and carbon dioxide reduction; economic development and stimulus; and trade. The corridor would help to attract significant direct investment to the region and support Maine’s and New Brunswick’s energy self-sufficiency goals.

“This is another important step in our approach to energy independence,” said John Kerry, Director of Maine’s Office of Energy Independence and Security. “Maine and New Brunswick have begun a process to realize our shared goal to increase the long-term supply of secure, reliable and clean energy to our region.”

“We are motivated by Premier Graham’s and Governor Baldacci’s long-term vision for the growth of our region, and are pleased to be playing a role in helping to develop the concept,” said Kenneth Irving of Irving Oil. “The Northeast Energy Corridor would involve a complex series of projects that would require a high level of collaboration and effort to attract companies to come invest in our region. The undertaking is particularly challenging at a time when our industry and the global economy face a high degree of uncertainty. There is still a long road and many decisions ahead of us, but we wanted to respond to our governments’ and our communities’ desire to continue to pursue energy projects that would meet shared social, economic, and environmental goals.”

Governor Baldacci outlined a process by which the State will pursue the exploratory phase on the Maine side of the border.

“I am directing my Director of the Office of Energy Independence and Security, John Kerry, and the Public Advocate, Richard Davies, to lead this exploratory phase, in concert with New Brunswick’s efforts and in cooperation with Irving Oil,” said the Governor. “They will advise me regarding the best course of action to implement this concept with New Brunswick. I am also directing them to review and consider utilizing the designation process for an ‘Energy Infrastructure Corridor’ that was enacted in 2008 by the Maine Legislature.”

Source: Maine Governor