AUGUSTA – Central Maine Power Co. has announced an initiative to ensure the reliability of its bulk power transmission system and to address the region’s expanding need for reliable electric systems given Maine’s significant growth over the past four decades.

The Maine Power Reliability Program will begin with a comprehensive study of the region’s power needs and electrical infrastructure, which includes 475 miles of 345,000 volt lines and substations and control facilities that link New Brunswick to New Hampshire and southern New England. The system has operated reliably for almost 40 years without significant changes, according to a CMP statement released this week.

“The transmission lines that make up the backbone of our system were built in the early 1970s,” CMP President Sara Burns said in the statement. “Those lines are now like a congested roadway with too many cars and trucks. This congestion raises costs and makes the whole system less reliable. What we built nearly 40 years ago has served us well, but it’s our responsibility to modernize our system and keep ahead of growing demand.”

The study is expected to be completed by late 2007. CMP is preparing the study in coordination with the Independent System Operator for New England, which operates the region’s bulk electric power system, or grid, and oversees the regional electric energy market.

“The MPRP will require a greater level of investment in the bulk power system,” Burns added. “We already make substantial annual investments in our local transmission and distribution facilities, including $340 million over the past five years. As the MPRP project moves ahead, we will continue that effort.”

The study will lay the groundwork for developing a long-term plan for system enhancements that will include:

. A 10-year load forecast for Maine and the surrounding region.

. An evaluation of the performance of the existing bulk power system compared to regional and national reliability standards.

. An assessment of alternatives for keeping Maine’s system in compliance under future operating scenarios.

. Identifying the most cost-effective alternatives to reinforce the system’s reliability and capacity.

CMP recently announced a separate but related effort to study bulk power transmission connections to northern Maine in cooperation with Maine Public Service Co., the utility that serves the state’s northern counties. Any projects to improve the region’s bulk power infrastructure will be subject to review and approval of the Maine Public Utilities Commission, ISO-NE, and other regulatory authorities. For information, visit the MPRP Web site at www.mainepower.com.