July 30, 2020
Serge Abergel
Director – External Relations

Representative Kent Ackley
Maine House of Representatives
State House
210 State Street
Augusta, ME 04330

19e étage
75, boulevard René-Lévesque Ouest
Montréal (Québec) H2Z 1A4

Dear Representative Ackley:
Through the Clean Energy Corridor, Hydro-Québec will provide affordable clean power directly to Mainers while
reducing pollution throughout New England. While we are working with local and regional partners, oil and gas
companies oppose the project to protect their market share and profits. The clean affordable energy that will be
delivered on this line will displace higher emitting and more expensive fossil fuels in a region with high
electricity rates.
Sustainability and transparency are at the heart of Hydro-Québec’s culture. Our central mission is to develop
clean, renewable energy and play a fundamental role in the emerging low-carbon economy, at the lowest cost
possible to consumers. Affordable and reliable clean electricity exports to New England are drivers of
sustainability. Our business decisions are based on these principles, and on the scientific facts pertaining to our
energy.
Hydro-Québec has the utmost of respect for the laws in place in the state of Maine. Our communication efforts are
solely focused on sharing facts about the project and about our energy, so that Mainers have the information they
need to make decisions.
We will continue to inform Mainers of the many benefits of this project, including the clean energy that has been
made available to them at a discounted price, the 1,600 local jobs that will be created, and the $258 M in direct
contributions to the state for rate relief and investment in needed broadband and electric vehicle infrastructure,
with accelerated payments starting this fall. In the context of climate change, we will continue to inform Mainers
that this project will significantly reduce carbon emissions – carbon reductions that are equivalent to the
emissions of 750 000 vehicles, every year.
These commitments are significant and Mainers should be aware of the benefits that come with the development
of the NECEC project.
Hydro-Québec has been and will continue to be fully transparent with regards to its ongoing information efforts.
Mainers deserve transparency and expect it from all energy suppliers, including the oil and gas industry.
It is correct that laws on both sides of our common border prohibit the involvement of foreign governments and
entities in candidate elections; however, we are not in the context of a candidate election, but rather of a
referendum with the aim of stopping a project that has followed Maine’s extensive multi-year review process and
lawfully obtained all required authorizations in Maine including from the Maine Public Utilities Commission and
the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

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Hydro-Québec’s campaign efforts are not aimed at influencing upcoming elections. Rather, we aim to provide
facts to inform Mainers in consideration of a ballot question that would deny Maine the largest clean energy
project in our region, as well as significant long-term benefits for the state.
Sincerely,

Serge Abergel
Director External Relations
Hydro-Québec
cc:
Rep. Donna Bailey of Saco
Rep. Pinny Beebe-Center of Rockland
Rep. Seth Berry of Bowdoinham
Rep. Jan Dodge of Belfast
Rep. Victoria Doudera of Camden
Rep. Jeff Evangelos of Friendship
Rep. Richard Farnsworth of Portland
Rep. Lori Gramlich of Old Orchard Beach
Rep. Nicole Grohoski of Ellsworth
Rep. Allison Hepler of Woolwich
Rep. Christopher Kessler of South Portland
Rep. Chloe Maxmin of Nobleboro
Rep. Joyce “Jay” McCreight of Harpswell
Rep. Sarah Pebworth of Blue Hill
Rep. Denise Tepler of Topsham
Rep. Ryan Tipping of Orono
Rep. Stan Zeigler of Montville
Sen. Shenna Bellows of Kennebec County
Sen. Brownie Carson of Cumberland County
Sen. Justin Chenette of York County
Sen. David Miramant of Knox County
Sen. Linda Sanborn of Cumberland County
Former Republican Senate President Rick Bennett of Oxford County
Former Republican Senator Tom Saviello of Franklin County