The MPUC last week approved CMP's Petition for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (essentially granting the utility a permit to proceed) for its proposed New England Clean Energy Connect transmission line which would carry 1200 MW of Canadian hydro power from Quebec through Franklin and Somerset Counties to Lewiston and ultimately to Massachusetts.

Opponents of the project say it won't significantly reduce greenhouse gases, and will adversely impact wildlife, tourism, in-state clean energy projects and jobs.

Approvals for the project are also needed from the Maine DEP, Maine Land Use Planning Commission, US Army Corps of Engineers and the US DOE.

But with MPUC's blessing - and that of Gov. Janet Mills - the project could be unstoppable.

Stay tuned.