Let me get this straight. Central Maine Power is requesting a $1.4 billion upgrade of the transmission system from the Maine Public Utilities Commission. (Sun Journal, Sept. 30). This transmission system will not benefit Maine because it is to increase transmission capacity between Orrington to the New Hampshire border right out of the state. I think that is about 125 miles. That’s a pretty expensive project to take full advantage of wind power. CMP stands to increase its net income by $100 million, and its customers get to share the expense with an 8.3 percent increase in their electricity bills.

T. Boone Pickens abandoned his wind turbine project in Texas when he found out that it was cost-prohibitive to transmit the wind power. Wind and solar power are not reliable electricity producers and need backup sources. Spain’s annual emissions of carbon dioxide have increased by nearly 50 percent. (Institute of Energy Research).

CMP touts that this project will create jobs. For every four green jobs created in Spain, less than one was permanent. For every permanent green job created, nine permanent jobs were destroyed. (Sun Journal, March 30).

Follow the money and decide who will benefit from CMP’s request. Replacing the blown-up dams would make more sense to me. Just remember the cap-and-trade bill may be around the corner which will make your electric bill skyrocket.

Diana Holcomb, Norway