WATERVILLE — Alan Caron, independent candidate for Maine governor, opposes a proposal to run hydro-power from Quebec to Massachusetts via a new 145-mile transmission corridor in Maine; while Democratic candidate Janet Mills, independent Terry Hayes and Republican Shawn Moody say they have questions about the proposal and are not ready to say they support it.

The four candidates took part Thursday morning in a forum at Thomas College hosted by the college and the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce that drew about 150 people to the West River Road campus.

Caron, a businessman and political writer, said he doesn’t see the benefit for Maine in Central Maine Power’s plan, asking aloud why the state would want to damage an inland summer recreational area for the benefit of Massachusetts.

“I just don’t think it’s a very good deal for Maine at all,” he said.

Hayes, the state treasurer, said if she had to decide today on the project, she’d vote “no,” as she considers herself underinformed about it. But she added that the state needs a natural gas pipeline.

“It’s politics that’s stopping it,” she said.

Mills, Maine’s attorney general, said she has a lot of serious questions about the CMP proposal, which would offer Massachusetts millions in rebate money but no similar rebate offer to Maine ratepayers.

“I have a lot of questions about it. I’m not ready to sign on or sign off on it,” she said.


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