Hostility defeats Cianbro's LNG plan
Portland Press Herald
Wednesday, September 8, 2004

By JOSIE HUANG, Portland Press Herald Writer

GOULDSBORO Prospects for a liquefied natural gas facility in Maine dimmed abruptly Tuesday when backlash from residents of this Hancock County fishing town forced yet another developer to scrap plans to build along the state's coast. Cianbro Corp., Maine's largest construction company, said it would no longer pursue an LNG terminal on a former Navy base five miles from Acadia National Park in Prospect Harbor - or anywhere else, for that matter.

The uphill battle that the Pittsfield-based company would face became apparent after its top executive met Tuesday night with residents, mostly fishermen who worry that LNG tankers would narrow their fishing bottom, damage their gear and ruin a centuries-old way of life.

As more than 300 people in the community center stared at him grim-faced, some holding signs that read "NO LNG," Cianbro president and CEO Peter Vigue ended a 15-minute introduction by asking: "Do you want to have more information? Or is this the end of it?"

"This is the end of it," several people shouted back, as the room collapsed into thunderous applause and cheers.

Dana Rice, a selectman and lobster buyer, asked Vigue to cancel a meeting with residents Thursday. "I don't think there is any need to carry this any further," Rice said, prompting some standing ovations.

Vigue said afterward that he wishes he had a chance to properly pitch the idea to the town. Unlike other plans presented by multinational corporations, the Gouldsboro project was brought to Cianbro by the Nale brothers of Waterville, two lawyers who said they wanted any LNG terminal to benefit Mainers as much as possible. Construction would have created 600 jobs; up to 100 year-round workers would be needed to operate the plant, which produces a relatively clean form of energy.

But Vigue said, "I think for the most part, people have made up their minds. All we would do is pit neighbors against neighbors and divide a community."

The demise of Cianbro's proposal, which was made public just last week and never involved a supplier, means that only one Maine community is actively considering the idea. The Passamaquoddy Tribe last month voted to negotiate with an Oklahoma-based energy development partnership to build an LNG terminal on Passamaquoddy Bay near Eastport.

Other communities have treated the idea like a hot potato, including Harpswell, Yarmouth and Cumberland. LNG proposals are faring better in Canada, where Nova Scotia and New Brunswick have granted provincial environmental approvals.

Though Cianbro is stepping away, some Gouldsboro residents fear that energy companies will still target their town, now that it's been identified for its deep water and easy ocean access.

"We may win the battle but lose the war," Rusty Elliott, a 61-year-old summer resident, said during the meeting. "Somebody else may come down the pike."

After the meeting, John Nale said he doubts any company will approach Gouldsboro after Tuesday.

"I think we kind of helped Gouldsboro by giving them this opportunity to give a resounding 'no' that will be heard by everybody else who might want to look at it," Nale said.

Staff Writer Josie Huang can be contacted at 791-6364 or at:

jhuang@pressherald.com