CMP & Hydro-Quebec Spend $16.78M to Push Maine Transmission Line
Central Maine Power (CMP) and Hydro-Quebec have spent a staggering $16.78 million since October 2019 to push their controversial transmission line proposal in Maine. This figure surpasses the previous record of $9.4 million set by out-of-state casino companies in 2017.
The spending breakdown reveals that CMP has allocated $7.25 million to TV and cable ads, $70,138 to digital ads, and $1.2 million to direct mail and print ads. Additionally, $628,775 has been spent on polling and survey research. Hydro-Quebec, a foreign government-owned corporation, has exploited a loophole in Maine campaign law to interfere in the referendum campaign, spending $6.24 million.
The aggressive tactics employed by CMP include hiring lawyers to challenge signatures, a private detective firm to monitor Maine citizens, and opposition research firms to discredit opponents. The average daily spending by both companies over the past 271 days is $61,915, exceeding the average median household income in Maine of $55,602. Furthermore, CMP's campaign manager is on track to receive $180,000 by Election Day, more than twice the annual salary of Maine's governor. None of the $16.78 million spent was contributed by a Maine voter supporting the project. If the current spending pace continues, total spending by Election Day would exceed $24.5 million.
The unprecedented spending by CMP and Hydro-Quebec raises concerns about the influence of out-of-state money in Maine's political process. As the election approaches, voters are urged to consider the implications of such substantial spending on their decision regarding the transmission line proposal.
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