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Committee hears competing views on moratorium, sale and community protections for dam removals (LD 212 & LD 430)
Summary
Rep. Campbell—s bills would require economic valuation, market checks and extended timelines before dam removal and would temporarily bar hydropower dam removals; DEP and conservation groups opposed, saying existing law and permitting already address these issues and a moratorium would stall ongoing restoration projects.
Representative Campbell introduced two related measures (LD 2 12 and LD 4 30) that would: (1) require owners seeking to remove hydropower dams to provide an evaluation of the dam—s generating capability and proof that they made reasonable efforts to sell the dam before removal, and (2) temporarily prohibit the department from approving removal of hydropower dams and require studies of negative outcomes of removals (sunset 01/01/2027). The sponsor described local cases (including Bucksport) where municipal purchasers were exploring alternatives and asked for extra time for towns to organize purchase or mitigation plans.
Laura Pei, DEP hydropower coordinator, testified in opposition to LD 2 12 and LD 4 30. DEP said owners applying to remove a dam have typically already…
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