Massachusetts’ top environmental official applauded a decision by Maine conservationists to let work resume on a transmission line that would bring Canadian hydroelectric power to the Bay State.

Opponents to the project had until Friday to appeal a 9-0 jury vote from last month that allowed construction on the project to restart after a trial in a Maine courtroom. But the opposition groups made clear last week that they would let the ruling stand.

Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper said the Healey administration “looks forward to construction restarting on the New England Clean Energy Connect transmission project.”

“The completion of this project will provide new, reliable, and affordable clean power not only to Massachusetts residents and businesses but the broader New England region,” Tepper said in a statement to the Herald.

The project’s success was key to a 2016 Massachusetts climate plan shepherded by former Gov. Charlie Baker that required the Bay State to procure roughly 1,200 megawatts of hydroelectric power.

Initially estimated at $950 million, the project will be paid for by Massachusetts rate-payers.

But it ran into delays after conservation groups in Maine tried to block the 145-mile transmission line, which cuts through woods in the Pine Tree state. Most of the transmission line follows established corridors, but 53 miles of the route needed to be cut through undeveloped area.

Maine voters approved a 2021 ballot question that banned construction on the line after Avangrid had already dumped $450 million into it. Central Maine Power, a subsidiary of Avangrid, sued, arguing the state could not bar construction after the developer had put so much work into the transmission line.

The jury sided with Central Maine Power, and opponents had until Friday to appeal.

The Natural Resources Council of Maine, one of the main opponents of the transmission line, said last week that a “jury of nine Mainers has spoken.”

“While we don’t agree with the decision we respect the process and have decided not to pursue an appeal,” the group said in a statement. “The transition to a clean energy future won’t work if we repeat the mistakes of the past which is why we’ll continue to oppose this proposal to redirect existing energy to maximize profit for Hydro-Quebec and CMP.”

Herald wire services contributed to this report.