Eversource is looking to replace 49 miles of transmission capacity in “western New Hampshire,” and it’s got the Maine Office of the Public Advocate all bent out of shape about shared costs. If you don’t know who they are,
The Office of the Public Advocate’s primary responsibility is to represent the interests of Maine utility consumers. Our attorneys advocate for rates, services, as set forth in our authorizing statute, 35-A M.R.S. § 1702 and practices to benefit utility customers in regulatory and court proceedings. Most of our work takes place in proceedings before the Maine Public Utilities Commission.
Remember, “interests of Maine utility customers.” That string of words is critical to this analysis. The Office of Public Advocate says that the “improvement” as planned is unnecessary and will add to Maine Ratepayers’ utility bills.
The $360 million project called X-178 would replace 49 miles of transmission line and nearly 580 utility poles in western New Hampshire.
Maine Public Advocate Heather Sanborn said owner Eversource Energy Service Co. hasn’t proven that the entire line needs to be replaced. Instead Eversource is trying to “shoehorn” a full rebuild into an asset condition project, Sanborn said.
…
Electric customers across New England share the cost of new transmission lines and upgrades. Maine would shoulder about 10% of the cost, said Public Advocate Heather Sanborn.
The NH site evaluation Committee more or less told the Maine Advocates to f-off, noting that, “Harwood’s office had no place in the matter since the committee has no authority to set electric rates.” Okay, F-off was a bit strong, but you get the gist. How about “Get off my lawn”?
And I have to be honest with you. I have no idea whether Eversource is out of line on this. I’m more interested in the fact that THE Maine Advocate is suing to stop the project because it will probably add to Mainers’ electric bills, but where the hell have they been for the past twenty-five years?
Renewable standards drive up rates. Closing coal plants drives up rates. Adding wind and solar infrastructure drives up rates. Massive battery storage facilities drive up rates. Blocking fossil fuel pipeline projects drives up rates. Closing nuclear plants drives up rates. Blocking new transmission lines drives up rates. Electrifying everything from vehicles to home heating increases demand (especially without any supply or infrastructure to deliver it), driving up rates. Just about everything Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Vermont (add the NH Dems) have done (over the entire 21st century) has made electricity a luxury resource.
To be fair, the Office of the whatever Advocate has managed a few fights, but the office was formed in 1980 when the juice cost 5.4 cents per KWh. As of 2026, it is around 32 cents per kWh. Inflation, sure, but regional issues and interference from other states regarding infrastructure and delivery costs have compounded in recent years, accelerating prices.
The environmental movement is the tip of that spear, and the Advocate hasn’t done much to slow their roll as coal plants closed, gas pipelines were blocked, and power corridors to bring hydro down from Canada were obstructed.
And whether you are right or wrong about the $360 million project called the X-178, your credibility as a consumer advocate is shit.
New Hampshire is sharing the cost of every nitwit, brain-dead, zombie energy idea to come down the left-wing green energy delusion pike. That’d be why we’re trying to get out of ISO New England. You freaks are scaring all the business growth away with your Marxist energy agenda.
And to be clear, again, I’m not saying you’re wrong, I’m just saying you are either awfully selective about the projects you challenge, or you are terrible at your job.
One more point. The Office of the Public Advocate is funded by a special assessment on all regulated utilities. Yes, the Office makes electricity cost more simply by existing.
