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Somerset County authorizes staff to oppose proposed FERC license transfers for Shawmut and Weston dams
Summary
Commissioners authorized the County Administrator to submit comment letters to FERC opposing proposed license transfers for Shawmut Dam and Weston Dam, citing potential negative economic impacts on SAPPI in Skowhegan. The public comment deadline was Jan. 8, 2026.
The Somerset County Board of Commissioners voted 5-0 to authorize the County Administrator to send comment letters to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission opposing proposed license transfers for the Shawmut Dam (Fairfield) and the Weston Dam (Skowhegan) under Resolution 26-15.
Commissioners reviewed draft talking points and expressed concern that the license transfers — which the board said may be an early step toward decommissioning — could have negative economic consequences for SAPPI, a major paper mill and employer in Skowhegan. Administrator Tim Curtis prepared the draft letters for submission before the FERC public-comment deadline of 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026.
The board treated the actions as formal county comments to a federal regulatory proceeding; the meeting minutes show the county will file its opposition, but do not specify further legal arguments or proposed mitigation measures in the record.
