In December 2009, the Maine PUC granted Bangor Hydro Electric Company a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) for the construction and operation of a 115 kV electric transmission line in Washington County, Maine known as the Downeast Reliability Project. The proposed transmission line is 42 miles long, and includes a new electric substation. The total project cost is estimated to be approximately $68 million. The line will create a needed "loop" in Downeast Maine to supplement an existing single radial line, and will increase reliability and capacity in the area in order to address coastal growth and reliability. Nora Healy handled the CPCN proceeding for Bangor Hydro.