State should be involved in shoring the LNG process
Portland Press Herald
Sunday, September 12, 2004

EDITORIAL:

The residents in Gouldsboro have shown that there are some communities in Maine that are decidedly against having a liquefied natural gas facility located near them.

The state, however, believes such a plant would be a good idea for Maine. That's why state officials should become more involved in the process of finding a home for such a facility.

Cianbro Corp. had proposed the facility for the Hancock County fishing town, but when hundreds of people came to the community center to oppose the project, Cianbro officials ended the discussion there.

That event shows that siting an LNG facility in Maine will continue to be a hit-or-miss process unless there's some structure in the planning procedure.

A proposed LNG plant in Harpswell drove a wedge into that community between those who liked the idea and those who didn't. Eventually, the idea was rejected in a referendum. Yarmouth and Cumberland also rejected similar proposals.

The only community to embrace the idea was the Passamaquoddy Tribe in Pleasant Point. In a referendum, the tribe decided to move forward with discussions on siting an LNG plant there.

Questions remain, however. Nova Scotia and New Brunswick are already working on similar plans. Is it feasible to construct an LNG facility in Pleasant Point if these other projects are completed?

If it is feasible, would it be possible to sustain another one somewhere else in Maine?

If so, where is the best place to put it? Would that community welcome it?

The state should become more active in answering these questions. A review of Maine's coastal communities for compatibility would be helpful. Which areas are the most easily navigable by tankers? Are there environmentally sensitive areas that should be avoided? Will such a plant affect the local fishing and lobstering industries?

The state is correct to believe that a liquefied natural gas facility could be good for Maine. It will provide temporary construction jobs, dozens of permanent jobs, income for the local community and a cleaner-burning source of fuel.

If Maine officials want the idea to stick, however, they should help make it so.