I empathize with Lewiston’s fiscal woes and understand that CMP’s substation generates helpful financial relief to taxpayers and supports necessary municipal services.

However, the speech’s touted climate benefits, much resembling CMP’s false advertising for the corridor, were mischievously skewed. Truthfully, environmental experts, including Massachusetts’ attorney general, testified there is no reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions or scientifically-proven climate benefits from the transmission line itself.

“Reducing carbon emissions through investing in . . . e-cars and heat pumps” is not worth the destruction of forest, wildlife habitat, the biomass/forestry and tourism industries — not to mention Maine’s brand.

Mainers in Somerset and Franklin counties are among the most heavily opposed to this foreign corridor. Rural residents specifically chose to live within a non-industrialized environment. Their very livelihoods and ways of life are dependent on natural landscapes that lure recreational tourists traveling from industrialized, urban settings.

To the contrary, Lewiston is accustomed to industrial infrastructure and dependent on mechanical industries for revenue and jobs.

Maine’s icons include rugged wilderness, spectacular scenery and wildlife, world-class rafting and fishing in inland waters — all luring urban-dwellers into non-industrialized settings.

Although urban proponents may have louder voices, rural Mainers are equally vital.

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