Reliability Upgrades

Central Maine Power Company (CMP) is upgrading its electricity delivery system and infrastructure in parts of 35 communities to ensure compliance with updated mandatory federal reliability requirements that are overseen by an organization called the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). This multi-year maintenance and improvement project is known as the NERC Alert initiative and is a joint project with our New York companies.

Please note: This is a NERC-required project and is not affiliated with the proposed New England Clean Energy Connect project (NECEC). This is a maintenance project on existing lines in our electrical system.

Project Purpose and Need            

CMP must comply with the 2010 NERC Alert mandate to correct all conductor-to-ground clearances that do not meet National Electrical Safety Codes (NESC).  The federal regulatory group designated three priority levels that included scope of work, transmission line sections, and deadlines. Priorities I and II line clearances had to be corrected by 2013, and we accomplished that. Priority III lines were not emphasized at that time but were for a 2019 start. 

The Priority III lines are all 115kV transmission lines, and there are 41 of these lines in Maine totaling 530 miles. We’re replacing the existing poles with new, taller wood structures that will increase pole heights by 5 to 10 feet.

SECTION 278 Schedule

As part of the NERC Alert Priority III, 22 structures will be replaced with new wood structures in the towns of Starks (10), Industry (2), Farmington (1), Chesterville (2), and Jay (7) in March 2020. Two structures will be replaced in May 2020. Please view map above.

For more information or questions

For more information about the Section 278 project, please view of Fact Sheet here.

Please contact the Electrical Infrastructure Projects Information Line at 1-888-267-0831 and include the name of the project – NERC ALERT – with your detailed message.  A representative from the project team will return your call within three (3) business days.