After reading an uninformed letter about how the New England Clean Energy project impacts Indigenous peoples in Quebec (“Letter to the editor: CMP’s ‘clean energy’ project exploits Indigenous people,” Feb. 2), I feel the urge to respond.

Mainers should be looking to use as many renewable energy resources as we can to combat the ever-growing effects of climate change. The dams that store the water that would source the NECEC have been in Quebec for generations. There are no new dams being built.

It is a shame carbon-polluting companies like NextEra successfully funded efforts to derail the corridor by repeatedly feeding Mainers lies through tens of millions of dollars of advertising against the project. The NECEC will not destroy our state’s natural beauty, and Mainers will absolutely see lower energy prices if it is constructed. Instead, we are stuck paying the same company that fought the project, NextEra, higher electricity bills than ever because we have no other options.

Hydro-Quebec has worked extensively with numerous Indigenous groups in Canada to ensure their rights are protected. A Quebec Indigenous group will even become co-owner of the new power line between Quebec and New York City. Hydropower is clean, renewable, much more affordable and the dams in this case already exist. Do not let the fossil fuel companies fool you. This project will help all Mainers save money and breathe in cleaner air for generations to come.

Leonardo Bintabara
Gorham

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