The proposed development of a new transmission line that can potentially provide a connection for renewable resources from northern Maine and Canada to Massachusetts has taken a major step forward.
The project's participants – National Grid and Bangor Hydro Electric Co. – have filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for funding approval of the project, known as the Northeast Energy Link (NEL). Â
The companies say the filing seeks confirmation that the companies' sale of transmission capacity is consistent with FERC's open access policies. Under the proposed participant funding approach, renewable energy generators would pay to use NEL's transmission capacity.
According to the companies, further research, site planning and permitting preparation for the project are planned through 2014, along with the negotiation of a transmission service agreement with First Wind.
