The Nature Conservancy (TNC) signed a controversial agreement earlier this month to purchase four hydroelectric dams on the Kennebec River, with plans to decommission them, claiming the plan will restore ecological health and preserve economic vitality.
Many Mainers have raised serious concerns about the plans, doubting the environmental nonprofit’s claims about preserving the economy and fearing that decommissioning the dams could shut down the Sappi Somerset paper mill.
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Brookfield Renewable agreed to sell its Lockwood, Hydro-Kennebec, Shawmut, and Weston dams to TNC to be decommissioned, despite Maine’s push for renewable energy.
The sale came after years of discussions between the non-profit and the energy company and reportedly represents a $168 million investment from TNC.
The environmental group intends to eventually decommission and remove the clean energy-generating dams, with the primary goal of restoring the natural flow of the Kennebec River to bring back the fish population.
“Despite having some of the best Atlantic salmon spawning habitat in the country, the Kennebec’s run of salmon has dropped from hundreds of thousands each year to nearly zero. Science and nature are telling us that we’re asking too much of the Kennebec. The river is out of balance,” they said.
They also claimed that the river’s fish population is vital to the Wabanaki people.
“The Kennebec River is vital to the Indigenous Wabanaki people, for whom the river and its sea-run fish have been central to culture and sustenance for millennia,” they said.
Removing the dams is expected to take years, and in the meantime, they will be managed by the Kennebec River Restoration Trust, a new nonprofit formed specifically to handle dam operations while working towards their ultimate decommissioning.
TNC believes that removing the dams can provide economic benefits to the nearby towns, along with additional municipal revenue; however, many people remain unconvinced.
Of particular note are concerns regarding the Somerset paper mill, which could become unable to intake the water it needs to operate when water levels drop after the dams are removed.
The Maine State Chamber of Commerce issued a statement expressing their concerns.
“Given the scale of the Somerset Mill’s recent $500 million transformation of its largest paper machine and its reliance on water from the Shawmut Dam, the economic stakes of this process are considerable. Any changes to the operation of these facilities could have wide-reaching implications for rural Maine communities, the state’s forest products industry, and its manufacturing competitiveness,” they said.
“Any proposed modifications of existing Federal Energy Regulatory Commission licenses on the Kennebec River must not jeopardize those jobs and facility upgrades. While we will collaborate with any partner, including the Nature Conservancy, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce will be focused on ensuring that plans for the Kennebec work for the state’s economy and support jobs in rural Maine,” they added.
The Chamber of Commerce also pointed out the importance of hydropower to the state’s clean, renewable energy production as the nonprofit plans to dismantle four hydroelectric dams.
Concerns over the dam purchase transcend party affiliations and drew statements from former Governor and current Republican congressional candidate Paul LePage, Governor Janet Mills (D-Maine), and Representative Reagan Paul (R-Winterport), among others.
“The News that the Nature Conservancy plans to purchase 4 dams in the Kennebec River from Brookefield is potentially devastating to Sappi, and the thousands of workers employed by the mill,” said LePage
“The Mills Administration could have solved this issue, but instead chose to put Maine families at risk. To make matters worse, whe [sic] electricity rates are already at all time highs, Maine is turning its back on clean, renewable hydropower,” he added.
A spokesperson for Gov. Mills claimed that she will not support any actions that could lead to the paper mill’s closure.
“The Governor and her Administration will work closely with The Nature Conservancy and the leadership of Sappi to ensure that the Somerset Mill remains open and thriving and continues to be a source of good paying jobs in rural Maine as well as an important contributor to Maine’s critical forest products economy. She believes that can be accomplished as waterways are restored,” she said.
“Sappi employs 780 people at the Somerset Mill and recently completed a $500 million update that will double the production capacity of one of Somerset’s paper machines. It was the second of two multi-million-dollar improvements Sappi has made over the past decade,” said Rep. Paul.
TNC is aware of concerns surrounding the paper mill and claims that they are 100 percent dedicated to keeping it open.
“TNC and our partners are 100% committed to developing a solution with Sappi that fully addresses the Somerset Mill’s long-term water system needs. We understand the vital role of the Somerset Mill for the forest products industry and the state’s economy, and we believe it will be possible to protect the mill’s future AND achieve river restoration goals on the lower Kennebec,” they said.
They pointed out that they also use paper products produced at the mill, but did not clarify whether they have any specific solutions in mind to keep the mill operational after the dams are removed.
The Maine Wire reached out to the Mill, asking whether they have received any communications from TNC suggesting possible solutions.
“We have been in talks with The Nature Conservancy. We fully support enhancing fish passage on the Kennebec, and there are existing ways to achieve that goal while preserving the dam that provides the water levels Somerset depends on. However, we have not seen any infrastructure design solution that guarantees reliable and safe intake and outfall systems for our mill if the dam were removed. We also understand that dam removal is not imminent nor guaranteed. The sale itself won’t be complete for at least a year and the regulatory process to even consider dam removal can take 7-10 years,” they said.
This story has been updated to include a comment from Sappi.
