Project Benefits

The Northeast Energy Link, as proposed, will provide a low-visibility, underground connection between cost-competitive wind and renewable energy and capacity resources in northern and eastern Maine, New Brunswick, Atlantic Canada and Quebec and markets in southern New England.  The Northeast Energy Link will also meet several important public policy needs:

• The renewable generation that will likely use the Northeast Energy Link has the potential to suppress market prices in New England by as much as $7.3 billion over 30 years, thus leading to lower regional market prices.
• Additions to the tax base of local communities and states
• Lease payments to states for the use of public corridors
• Construction and maintenance jobs
• Significant environmental benefits from additional renewables and accordant reductions in fossil fuel emissions
• Increased reliability of the electric grid from improved fuel diversity
• Added transmission capacity to reduce system congestion
• Siting of the transmission lines in public corridors has many environmental advantages including reduced impact to wetlands and vernal pools, reduced tree clearing, and reduced visual impacts

A recently completed study by ESAI, a well-regarded independent consulting firm, concluded that the Northeast Energy Link is cost-competitive compared to other renewable supply options and Alternative Compliance Payments.