CMP News

Central Maine Power Company, 83 Edison Drive, Augusta, ME 04336 (207) 622-NEWS 

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Release: Immediate - An Energy East Company

Helicopters will aid CMP in system-enhancement project

AUGUSTA, Maine, December 12, 2006  People in parts of Maine from Bucksport to Wiscasset and from Windsor to Warren may see helicopters hovering overhead during the coming weeks and months, as crews working for Central Maine Power Co. install 94 miles of new fiber-optic cable on transmission poles in the area. New communications equipment will also be installed at six substations along the route.

"This project is part of an upgrade to our bulk transmission grid, and is designed to increase the speed, security, and reliability of CMP's protection and control system," said CMP spokesman John Carroll. "The new fiber-optic cable is one of two separate communications systems to ensure that we can always respond instantly to any failures or disturbances that could affect transmission grid reliability here in Maine and throughout the region."

Carroll says what makes the project unique is the use of helicopters to move crews and materials along the transmission line.

"Some of this transmission line goes through remote terrain, so using helicopters helps minimize the environmental impact," says Carroll. "But the real advantage is in the efficiency of shuttling crews and equipment quickly along the corridor, even in more developed areas. So we'd like people to know that while seeing crews and equipment suspended from helicopters might look unusual, everything is being done safely and there is nothing to be alarmed about."

The fiber-optic cable installation begins Dec. 12 at the Bucksport substation. Work will proceed along the line through Prospect and Stockton Springs, reaching Searsport by Jan. 1, 2007. From January through March of 2007, crews will move southwesterly from Searsport through parts of Belfast, Belmont, Lincolnville, Hope, Rockport, Warren, Waldoboro, Nobleboro, Newcastle, and Alna, finishing in Wiscasset in early April. At that time, installation of more cable will begin at CMP's Maxcy's Substation in Windsor, moving easterly through Jefferson and Waldoboro, and finishing in Warren by the end of April 2007.

About CMP: Central Maine Power, a subsidiary of Energy East Corporation, operates more than 20,000 miles of power lines and other facilities that deliver electricity to 80 percent of Maine’s population. Web site: www.cmpco.com.

About Energy East: Energy East Corporation [NYSE: EAS] is a respected super-regional energy services and delivery company that our customers can depend on every day. We are a motivated and skilled team of professionals dedicated to creating shareholder value through our focus on profitable growth, operational excellence and strong customer partnerships. We serve about 3 million customers throughout upstate New York and New England.

— CMP —