China planners approve new proposed ordinance on transmission lines
by Mary Grow
At their June 24 meeting, China Planning Board members unanimously accepted the first draft of a proposed new ordinance titled “High Impact Electric Transmission Lines and Corridor Ordinance.”
Board Chairman Toni Wall will forward the document to Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood. Wall expects the next steps will be review by the town’s attorney, Amanda Meader, and by the select board. The plan is to present a final version to China voters on the Nov. 4, 2025, local ballot.
China officials, like those in other Maine towns, were motivated by the proposed 2022 LS Power transmission line, which would have brought wind-power from northern Maine nearly to the coast. In November 2023, China voters approved a moratorium on such lines through town; the select board renewed the moratorium in November 2024, but it ends for good in November 2025.
The 10-page draft ordinance begins with a statement of purpose. That paragraph says the ordinance is intended “to provide a set of standards for the construction and expansion of High Impact Electric Transmission Lines and Corridors” in China.
The abbreviation for such lines is ETFC.
The plan is to present a final version to China voters on the Nov. 4, 2025, local ballot.
An applicant for a permit for an ETFC will be required to prove financial viability. A subsection requires that if the planning board needs to hire outside professionals to help review an application, the applicant shall provide a $50,000 fund to pay for such services. If $50,000 is not enough, the fund is to be replenished as the town requires.
This provision generated considerable discussion at the June 24 meeting. Members debated whether it would discourage applicants, and whether an outside expert being paid by the developer could fairly represent the town’s interest.
Ultimately, the paragraph was left unchanged, subject to attorney Meader’s review.
The draft ordinance requires that ETFC lines be buried. Later provisions require a blasting permit and notice to nearby residents whenever blasting is needed. In case underground lines should later be prohibited by law, there is a screening requirement for any subsequent above-ground lines.
Other provisions require that construction and maintenance of a transmission line have no “significant impact” on “the natural environment, existing uses, scenic character, air and water quality, other natural resources….” A fund to cover decommissioning costs when the line is no longer needed is another requirement.
Wall said she adapted the draft from the Town of Benton’s similar ordinance.
In other business, Wall said attorney Meader has drafted an ordinance governing medical cannabis facilities in China.
French notified board members of more pending ordinance changes, one the result of his research in town records, others because of recent state legislative actions.
The codes officer found that some years ago, when a previous board recommended and voters adopted resource protection districts in parts of town, they redefined some of the businesses and residential properties included as non-conforming uses. Town action should not create a non-conforming use, French said, and the situation needs correcting.
Among laws the state legislature enacted are two the governor has signed that deal with land use and housing. French said they will require China – and probably most other Maine municipalities – to amend local ordinances. Legislators gave municipalities until July 1, 2027, to bring ordinances into conformity.
The next China Planning Board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 8.