| CMP | GridSolar | |
| Grid Reliability |
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| Meets Federal NERC Reliability Standards |
Yes | Yes |
| Cost | ||
| Total Cost at full build-out |
$1.5 billion |
$1.5 billion |
| Can be developed incrementally as peak load grows |
No. The full $1.5 billion is committed upfront. If load does not grow or if technology changes the way we use electricity, this investment could become stranded. |
Yes. The GridSolar project will be built out as load grows. No money will be invested in the hopes that "they will come." |
| Creates savings for Maine Ratepayers |
No. All electricity will be imported and Maine ratepayers will pay the market price, currently around 8-cents a kWh. |
Yes. Electricity generated by GridSolar projects in Maine and will be available to ratepayers at cost - a fixed price of 3-cents a kWh for 20 years. |
| Environmental Issues |
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| Provides renewable, zero emission energy |
No. Electricity generated to meet peak loads will come from fossil fuel plants. |
Yes. Solar power will displace fossil fuel use and will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 500,000 tons a year - equivalent to taking 100,000 cars off the road. |
| Environmental siting concerns | Yes. Transmission rights of way are controversial and, because they are location dependent, require the use of eminent domain to take land from private citizens. |
No. Distributed solar generation is low to the ground, makes no noise, has no potential negative health effects and is not location dependent. No eminent domain. |
| Jobs and Economic Development |
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| Creates Construction Jobs |
Yes, in the construction of new or upgraded transmission lines. |
Yes, in the fabrication of solar panels, site preparation and installation. |
| Creates new jobs in Maine once operational |
No. | Yes, in operations and maintenance of distributed solar generation facilities. |
| Opportunity to create new industrial development in Maine |
No. Transmission poles, towers and lines are manufactured out of state. |
Yes. Manufacturing and fabrication of solar panels is an emerging industry. New capacity can be located in Maine. |