LNG proposal for Sears Island 2004 FOAA'd Documents from Governor Baldacci

June 2004 FOAA results  at the link and below. NOTE THESE ARE ARCHIVED FILES 

https://web.archive.org/web/20070908055606/http://www.penbay.org:80/searsfoa03.html

FOA'd documents from a June 2004 Freedom of Access Law request to Governor Baldacci's office, requesting all LNG related files from April through June 2004.

List of Governor's staff & agency heads mentioned. Other FOA'd documents

FOA'd documents from a June 2004 Freedom of Access Law request to Governor Baldacci's office, requesting all LNG related files from April through June 2004.
List of Governor's staff & agency heads mentioned. Other FOA'd documents

Governor Baldacci & LNG: Security & Public Safety
LNG Security Review of Boston Harbor & Everett LNG facility (& Harpswell) Undated)
Dept of Public Safety's memo to Adams & Stearns re DPS' LNG 'Perspective' report 10/29/03
Report by DPS: "LNG: A Perspective on Security & Safety" unsigned, undated
Maine Emergency Management Agency to Baldacci advisor -overview of LNG security issues undated

Governor Baldacci and "political" side of LNG issues in Maine.
David Bright, friend of Baldacci's, offers Sears Island & LNG political advice 5/20/04 2/20/04

Governor Baldacci and Quoddy LNG plan.
Notes from LNG meeting at Pleasant Point undated
Quoddy Bay LLC's "Fact Sheet" distributed at a public meeting with Passamaquaddy tribe.
Umphrey to Cashman on Portland investors for Washington County LNG 5/19/04
Baldacci's draft Quoddy LLC statement 6/8/04

Governor Baldacci and Federal Govt "pre-emption" on LNG
MDEP Commissioner gets report on state's existing LNG laws & regulations 11/26/03
Nagusky to DEP and Gov's chief counsel on FERC powers 4/22/04
Nagusky sends Littel & Stearns copies of FERC Preemption Order #CP04-58 4/22/04
Describes federal document on who controls LNG decisions 4/28/04
Citizens Energy writes to Baldacci about FERC & Maine 5/14/04
CLF writes to FERC & Governor about LNG in New England 5/5/04
CLF writes to New England Governors, Congress about LNG 5/5/04

Governor Baldacci and towns and state legislators on LNG
Governor's form letter on LNG ("sent to 92 constituents") 5/25/04
Stockton Springs Selects write to Waldo County with LNG concerns 3/12/04
3 Legislators write Baldacci with LNG concerns. 3/29/04
Baldacci writes to Searsport 4/4/04
Waldo County Commissioners write JEB with concerns 4/13/04
Searsport writes to Baldacci; asks for official "No LNG without town support" letter in writing. 4/15/04
Searsport invites Governor to Searsport LNG gathering. 4/22/04
Baldacci writes to Waldo County Commissioners & area legislators about LNG 6/1/04

Governor Baldacci & Sierra Club communications on LNG
Sierra Club writes to Baldacci calls for LNG planning 2/23/04
Baldacci's policy advisor responds to Sierra Club 3/304
MDOT Commissioner Cole writes to Sierra Club 4/6/04
Sierra Club writes again to Baldacci, "puzzled" by non response) 4/28/04
Baldacci policy analyst Stearns sets meeting with Sierra Club, Islesboro Island Trust 5/19/04

=====================================================

END

Maine Joint Use Planning Committee, 2007 - 2009

Audio recordings of meetings and hearings of Maine Legislature's Transportation Committee and MDOT's Sears Island Joint Use Planning Committee, 2007-2009 (mp3s)

Joint Use Planning Committee Agendas & Meeting Summaries, 2007-2008

Joint Use Planning Committee Official Documents 2007-2009

Sears Island Media Archive 1980's -1990s

Sears Island WERU Debate: Sierra Club v. Fair Play for Sears Island.

Sears Island LNG Struggle 2004-2005

Sears Island Woodchip port struggle 1990's

FOIA & FOAA requests. From Sears Island in the 1990s to windpower in the 2010s

1995 Sears Island Cargoport plan. 
State and federal FOIA'd documents

2003-2004 FOAA  LNG Plan.  State Documents
https://www.penbay.org/searsisland/searsfoa01a.html
https://www.penbay.org/searsisland/searsfoa02.html
https://www.penbay.org/searsisland/searsfoa03.html
https://www.penbay.org/searsisland/sifoa04.html

2008-2009  FOAA  Sears Island Joint Use Planning Committee 
* MDOT's Duane Scott, December 2008
* http://www.penbay.org/searsisland/si_foa_jeb_novdec08/
* http://www.penbay.org/searsisland/searsislandfoaresultsmdotapril1june172009/
* http://penbay.org/searsisland/si_foa09_baldacci_jan_feb_mar_09/
* http://www.penbay.org/searsisland/si_foa_jeb_dec08_jan09/
* http://www.penbay.org/searsisland/si_foa_mdot_april2009/index.html
* http://www.penbay.org/searsisland/si_foa09_baldacci_apr_may_june09/
* http://penbay.org/searsisland/si_foa_mdot_may8may29_2009/
* http://penbay.org/searsisland/si_foa_mdot_61809_80309/index3.html
* http://penbay.org/searsisland/si_mdot_aug09mitigbankplan

 2009 http://web.archive.org/web/20110612171550/http://penbay.org/searsisland/si_foa09_baldacci_jan_feb_mar_09/

2010 Federal Ocean Windpower off Maine
 Buurea of Ocean Energy Mgmt. 2009-2010

2010 State DeepCWind & Tidal Energy
* http://www.penbay.org/monhegan/rmonhegan_foa_reply_011410/index.html
* http://penbay.org/energy/tidal/foa_mdep_tidal_energy_0810/

Bay History: 2001-2005 Environmental Conflicts & Initiatives.

The below archived Penobscot Bay Watch media releases  discuss relevant local/state/federal events & issues  as they rose and fell during Governor King's 2nd term and Governor Baldacci's 1st term .  2/2/01 - to 2/7/205  Topics  Knox county airport expansion, state rockweed conservation, Samoset marina sprawl, local landfills, out of state waste imports, dredge spoils, state trawl survey &, shedder lobster impacts,  salmon fishpens,  state aquaculture task force, shellfish farming, a Sears Island LNG terminal plan - and more!

NOTE some  internal links are outdated

2001

2/2/01  State delays decision on  Owl's Head airport expansion to  April. (jetification)

3/1/01  Lobstermen residents battle Samoset Resort over harbor fishing grounds  marina sprawl. Samoset

3/5/01  Picketers protest resort's controversial plan to build a yacht marina in Rockland Harbor's best lobstering area , Samoset

3/16/01  Did MBNA dump contaminated dredge spoils into Rockland's municipal landfill 

3/26/01 Rockland City Council rejects Samoset marina plan  

4/4/01  Federal agency rejects Samoset marina plan; orders eelgrass study of Rockland Harbor

6/6/01   Beach grasses shielding the sand dunes at Pemaquid Beach Park may finally gain additional protection

7/26/01 * US Fish and Wildlife Service bans the harvest of seaweeds at three National Wildlife Refuges on the Maine coast  

8/21/01 * Fishermen, islanders, conservationists fight fishpen sprawl: Penobscot Bay lobsters, wild salmon said at risk 

10/01/01  * Maine DMR Commissioner restricts state research videotapes, bans videotaping of future state trawl survey catches 

10/4/01  * Conservation Law group sues General Alum & Chemical Corp for polluting Penobscot Bay

10/21/01 * Fisheries panelists call for revamped fishing & aquaculture laws

11/8/01* 25 lobster boats out of Corea confront the Department of Marine Resources' survey trawler

11/22/01  Mainers criticize Snowe support of federal plan to bail out foreign fishpen companies

2002  

1/31/02 Aquaculture meeting raises Maine "open meeting law" concerns

2/4/02  Marine ecology chief and former Maine aquaculture official raise many eyebrows re  their handling of the trawl survey,  and aquaculture improprieties

2/8/02 Atlantic Salmon Federation calls for fishpen-free Penobscot Bay

2/11/02 Hearing on aquaculture reform brings together different points of view 

2/13/02 Legislators press fishpen industry for details on pesticide use

2/18/02 Commercial fishing industry, conservationists, tourism industry representatives call for fishpen moratorium 

2/19/02 Maine legislature to consider aquaculture moratorium 

2/22/02 DMR ordered to release files on aquaculture violations to Legislature 

2/25/02 Maine aquaculture reform bill attacked by DMR, aquaculture industry

2/26/02 Voices in the Maine aquaculture reform debate 

2/27/02 Legislature's Marine Resources Committee gives coastal towns power to regulate aquaculture 

3/2/02 DMR threatens to shut down lobstering if April trawl survey is resisted 

3/5/02 Fishermen sign petition to the Maine legislature calling for local control of aquaculture 

3/8/02 Marine trades, building industries in Knox, Waldo and Hancock county say fishpens harm business (Penobscot Bay Watch, 3/8/02)

3/30/02 Fishy Business: Aquaculture Reform Flames out in Maine

2003

4/7/03  Northport, Maine Speaks Out on Maine Aquaculture Bills 

4/10/03 Maine legislators hear pros and cons of aquaculture reform 

4/25/03 Baldacci's Blue Ribbon Aquaculture Task Force gets thumbs up

7/14/03  Rockland may accept construction waste from out of state for disposal in its quarry dump  

7/24/03 Maine Aquaculture Task Force Gets Underway

8/7/03  Continued Marine Bioinvasions prompt tough new federal rules

8/15/03  Criticism has arisen concerning Governor John Baldacci's Blue Ribbon Task Force on Marine Aquaculture

8/19/03  Maine Aquaculture Task Force hires Canadian consultants for fish farm economics study.

9/11/03 Maine Aquaculture Task Force holds second meeting at the University of Maine's Darling Center

9/25/03 Aquaculture Task Force to hear from public & NGOs on fishfarms' impacts on property and scenic values

10/14/03  Aquaculture Task Force to explore coastal towns' role in decisionmaking 

10/17/03 Maine Aquaculture Task Force opts for baywide management study 

10/28/03 Maine Aquaculture Task Force Online Audio from the October 16 meeting in Rockland, Maine 

11/18/03  Criticism concerning aquaculture report submitted by a former DMR commissioner.

12/19/03 Maine Aquaculture Task Force report to call for smaller municipal role, bigger fishfarms, more studies

2004

1/9/04 Study on carcinogens in farmed Atlantic salmon available online 

1/28/04  Final Draft Report: Governor's Task Force on the Planning and Development of Marine Aquaculture.

2/9/04 Maine legislators to get presentation from Governor's Task Force on Aquaculture

2/18/04Maine legislators to hear from public on major aquaculture bill .

2/23/04 Legislators urged: drop acreage boost from aquaculture bill.

3/1/04 Opponents of Northport mussel farm expansion call it threat to navigation 

3/12/04 LNG tankers could force 15% drop in Penobscot Bay lobsterfishing 

4/20/04 Searsport residents warned by Harpswell lobstermen: Don't trust LNG corporations 

5/5/04  Federal Wilderness Proposed for 13 Islands off the Maine Coast 

7/28/04 Controversial decision by organizers of a statewide forum on LNG to block a Harpswell fishermen's organization 

8/24/04  Fishermen speak out against wasteful pair trawl herring fishery off Maine 

8/31/04  Released documents show politics behind Baldacci Sears Island LNG policies

2005 

2/7/05  Beginning of Maine's coastwide Bay Management Project 

*

*

Bay Flashback: How Searsport citizens stopped an LNG tank proposal in 2004

In 2004 the people of Searsport, with the help of residents of some surrounding communities, were able to wring a "no LNG terminals in Searsport ever" concession from Maine Governor John Baldacci and his Department of Transportation.  The governor agreed " to defer to a host municipality before taking state actions in support of any LNG proposal".  (6/1/4 letter below)

Read a close-in description of that entire struggle, as compiled by Governor Baldacci's staff for a June 2004 Freedom of Access Law request to Governor Baldacci's office,   
NOTE: USE YOUR BACK BUTTON TO RETURN TO THIS PAGE These links are  "wayback machine" archived versions of these files.

The below Searsport/LNG related files from October 2013 to June 2004 vividly illustrates the intense maneuvering of all parties from citizens  and ENGOs to the transportation industry and its adherents .  List of Governor's staff & agency heads mentioned. Other FOA'd documents  (All documents are transcriptions of original documents)

2003 
  October 27 2003 - March 3, 2004 by date

Additional 2003-2004 Documents by topic

Governor Baldacci & LNG: Security & Public Safety
LNG Security Review of Boston Harbor & Everett LNG facility (& Harpswell) Undated) Dept of Public Safety's memo to Adams & Stearns re DPS' LNG 'Perspective' report 10/29/03
Report by DPS: "LNG: A Perspective on Security & Safety" unsigned, undated
Maine Emergency Management Agency to Baldacci advisor -overview of LNG security issues undated

Governor Baldacci and "political" side of LNG issues in Maine.
David Bright, friend of Baldacci's, offers Sears Island & LNG political advice 5/20/04 2/20/04

Governor Baldacci and towns and state legislators on LNG
Governor's form letter on LNG ("sent to 92 constituents") 5/25/04
Stockton Springs Selects write to Waldo County with LNG concerns 3/12/04
3 Legislators write Baldacci with LNG concerns. 3/29/04
Baldacci writes to Searsport 4/4/04
Waldo County Commissioners write JEB with concerns 4/13/04
Searsport writes to Baldacci; asks for official "No LNG without town support" letter in writing. 4/15/04
Searsport invites Governor to Searsport LNG gathering. 4/22/04
Baldacci writes to Waldo County Commissioners & area legislators about LNG 6/1/04

Governor Baldacci & Sierra Club communications on LNG 
Sierra Club writes to Baldacci calls for LNG planning 2/23/04
Baldacci's policy advisor responds to Sierra Club 3/304
MDOT Commissioner Cole writes to Sierra Club 4/6/04
Sierra Club writes again to Baldacci, "puzzled" by non response) 4/28/04 
Baldacci policy analyst Stearns sets meeting with Sierra Club, Islesboro Island Trust 5/19/04

Governor Baldacci and Federal Govt "pre-emption" on LNG
MDEP Commissioner gets report on state's existing LNG laws & regulations 11/26/03
Nagusky to DEP and Gov's chief counsel on FERC powers 4/22/04
Nagusky sends Littel & Stearns copies of FERC Preemption Order #CP04-58 4/22/04

Describes federal document on who controls LNG decisions 4/28/04
Citizens Energy writes to Baldacci about FERC & Maine 5/14/04
CLF writes to FERC & Governor about LNG in New England 5/5/04
CLF writes to New England Governors, Congress about LNG 5/5/04


Governor Baldacci and Quoddy LNG plan.
Notes from LNG meeting at Pleasant Point undated
Quoddy Bay LLC's "Fact Sheet" distributed at a public meeting with Passamaquaddy tribe.
Umphrey to Cashman on Portland investors for Washington County LNG 5/19/04
Baldacci's draft Quoddy LLC statement 6/8/04

----------------

* FOA documents from CommIssioner of Economic Development Jack Cashman, March 2004 Click Here
* FOA documents from Governor Baldacci, Oct 3 '03 to March 3 2004 Click Here

==========================================
Above documents may also be found  here:
* FOA documents requested from Governor Baldacci June 25, 2004 to September 29, 2004. Click here
* FOA documents from Governor Baldacci April - June 2004. Click Here
* FOA documents from Jack Cashman Commissioner, DECD, January 1st to March 2004 Click Here

.

=====================================================


END



Town of Searsport, Maine
P. O. Box 499
Searsport, Maine 04974
548-6372 • 548-2300

April 15, 2004

The Honorable John Elias Baldacci
Governor of Maine
1 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0001

Dear Governor Baldacci,
This is the formal request by the Town of Searsport Board of Selectmen and residents that we have the State's Proclamation that nothing will happen in regards to industry within the Town of Searsport without the people of Searsport being allowed a voice in this process. The Town realizes there is State owned property within its boundaries and we hope the State realizes that this property has a tremendous impact on the people of Searsport.

The factors important to the Selectmen and the residents would include but not necessarily be limited to the following:
1. The company interested and its main function
2. The size of the facility
3. The number of employees and skill levels involved with employment
4. Any agency approval processes
5. Any description the State has for safety that might be needed for residents
6. Any description(s) of impact studies and analyses.
7. Any "letters of intent" or "option" would not be given prior to the Town having input as to the industry
8. Specifics on how residents and Town Officials alike would convey their concerns and questions to the Governors office or appropriate agency offices.
9. Lastly, the Town would like to know of, or be involved with the development of, any Alternative Economic Plans the State may have for State owned property within the boundaries of Searsport

This is a list of some concerns our residents might have and some have been addressed previously. The Town has been told that if the Selectmen request a formal proclamation from Governor Baldacci he will write one for us. We appreciate this offer and are now taking you up on it. The Town of Searsport is holding a Special Town Meeting on May 15, 2004 at 9:00 A.M. and would like to have this letter by that date.

The Town of Searsport and its residents wishes to express its respective gratitude for the time and consideration of this letter and requests within.

Sincerely,
Searsport Board of Selectmen
Joseph Perry, Chair
Carol Hersom, Vice Chair
Bruce Mills
John S. Herrithew
cc.
Board of Selectmen
Governor John Baldacci
Alan Stearns Commissioner
David Cole
Brian Nutter, Port Authority
Greg Nadeau Fred Michaud,
State Planning Office
Senator Carol Weston
Maine's Fastest Growing Industrial Deep Water Port

-end-

==================
STATE OF MAINE
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
1 STATE HOUSE STATION
AUGUSTA, MAINE 04333-OOO1

May 4, 2004

Board of Selectmen
Town of Searsport
P.O. Box 499
Searsport, ME 04974

Dear Members of the Board of Selectmen of Searsport:

I write in response to your letter dated April 15, 2004, requesting a local voice in the process of industrial development in Searsport.

With respect to any proposal to develop an LNG facility in any town in Maine, I have previously stated that I will defer to local governments as key decision-makers before taking action to support any particular proposal.

With respect to any proposal to develop an LNG facility on land owned by MaineDOT in the Town of Searsport, MaineDOT will not enter into any formal agreement with an LNG developer without the support of the Town of Searsport.
 A necessary first step is a vote of the Selectmen or a vote of the Town providing direction on how the Town would like to proceed.
The letter of the Selectmen dated April 15, 2004, inquires more broadly regarding industrial and economic development in the Town of Searsport. My letter today deals narrowly with LNG development. I know that MaineDOT has actively communicated its interest in working with Searsport in the town's comprehensive planning and implementation processes. Through that process, the community and MaineDOT can work toward defining a vision for the future of Searsport and Sears Island.
Sincerely,
John E. Baldacci
Governor
cc: Senator Carol Weston
Representative Don Berry
Commissioner David Cole
-------------------------------------------

Can upper Penobscot Bay communities stop the supertank? Find out Nov 2 & 3, 6-8pm

Coming up!  Small Business and Local Citizens of Penobscot Bay Host Presentation and Discussion on the DCP-midstream giant liquified Petroleum Gas Tank Proposal

DCP/ConocoPhillips wants to put a 22.7 Million Gallon Liquid Petroleum Tank in Searsport, operate 24/7 and put up to 144 Tanker Trucks on Route 1 every day Searsport, Maine, 

PENOBSCOT BAY.  Concerned small business owners and local citizens will gather Wednesday November 2 at the Searsport Town Hall (6-8 pm) and Thursday November 3 (6-8 pm) at the Belfast Free Public Library to participate in an informational slide show and facilitated discussion concerning the implications of allowing a 22.7 million gallon liquid petroleum storage facility to move on to Mack Point in Searsport. All are welcome.

The project has already received DOT approval and is awaiting DEP approval…questions need to be raised and answered about the safety and effects of as many as 144 tanker truck trips each day through the Main Streets of Midcoast and surrounding area towns.

In addition to safety and security concerns, meeting attendees will explore the effects such a proposal would have on tourism, public access to roads and waterways, noise and light pollution, property values and the departure from the State Planning Office’s action plan for the promotion of sustainable prosperity and quality places for Maine residents.

Everyone is encouraged to attend, the organizing group believes the effects of the DPC/ConocoPhillips project will be particularly felt from Augusta to Belfast to Ellsworth, from Stockton Springs to Bangor

For More information:

Astrig Tanguay
Thanks but No Tank
Phone ( 207) 5486059
e-mail: relax@campocean.com  
216 W Main St
Searsport, Maine 04974





###

Cape Jellison's scenic resources at risk from LPG supertank.

Pictures taken on Cape Jellison, and of Cape Jellison, from the location  across Long Cove and Stockton Harbor from where energy company DCP-Midstream wants to build a giant Liquified Petroleum Gas storage tank. Biggest in New England! while Maine DEP is doing little.    (Click Here for  photos of endangered scenic resources from Searsport Shores Campground in Searsport)

Panorama of Stockton Harbor Click Here for larger  

a - Colonel Petterson Park (public access to beach)

b - Stockton Harbor Public Docks

c - Sears Island 601 acres Conservation Easement  Maine Coast Heritage Trust

d - The Village Condos Stockton Springs

e -  Rocky Point (private homes)

 

More Photographs 

View From Stockton Harbor Docks 9.26.11 Helicopter Click Here

View from Stockton Harbor dock 9.26.11 Helicopter closer  Click Here

View from Stockton Harbor Docks 9.27.11 proposed site marked

This photo was taken the morning after the helicopter flew over, so  site marked is an estimate, but based on studying the photos. 

Note that Stockton Harbor Public docks serves  commercial and recreational fishermen, as well as sailboats. There are approximately 150 moorings. Stockton Harbor hosts a significant boating community, centered around the Stockton Harbor Sailing Center.

From Stockton Harbor and Cape Jellison perspectives , the location of this new proposed development is  a huge sprawl of industrial development into unbroken natural forestland, rich with Indian artifacts in an undeveloped irreplaceable natural coastal forest on Mack Point. 

Sears Island - the once and future LNG port plan?

In MaineBiz, reporter Mindy Favreau observes in a recent article that :
"So far, three lawsuits have been filed against the DOT, claiming the conservation easement between the DOT and the Maine Coast Heritage Trust violates state law and Maine’s Sensible Transportation Planning Act. Henshaw isn’t worried that lawsuits will keep the port from moving forward, since representatives from area towns and environmental groups participated in developing the Sears Island use plan."

What is outside of the box that MDOT is spinning over the eyes and ears of Maine media is a tale of Maine's most important commercial fishery at risk; of upper Penobscot Bay's thriving resort industry facing the prospect of, while the absentee profits accrue from a novel pont a to point b connection, the state epidemiologist must place a new diesel-funked hot spot on Maine's chronic respiratory ailments map as the ships, the trains, the trucks, the cranes drink deeply at their carbon drinks and flatulate in gratitude as they wait, unload, reload and head off by road, rail and by sea.

No, there is a downside to a Sears Island port for many of Maine's small biz businesses. Ms. Favreau relegates it, however to the bland statement:

"So far, three lawsuits have been filed against the DOT, claiming the conservation easement between the DOT and the Maine Coast Heritage Trust violates state law and Maine’s Sensible Transportation Planning Act"

Not surprising given its history, the Maine Port Authority considers its state of lawlessness to be "a relatively good position"

LNG wannabes could make a return visit to Sears Island, if their various downeast ventures fail to get approved; get a refresher of the dangers of that form of energy commerce.

Sears Island - at risk of LNG again?

Someone asked me recently

Is the LNG issue still at large?

He was referring to Penobscot Bay, after reading an undated penbay.org webpage from 2004, on the then-proposal to build an LNG port on Sears Island; for all he knew, it was recent news.

My answer to Is the LNG issue still at large?

Yes and no. (But the yes has been increasing recently) Let's take a look back:

In 2004, LNG was kiboshed at Sears Island, after PBW's 2003-2004 FOAs of Governor Baldacci on the topic revealed his covert support for the proposal; outraged upper bay residents pressured him into agreeing to abide by a Searsport plebiscite, which rejected LNG at Sears Island.

The LNG issue then moved downeast, was swiftly thumbs-downed in Winter Harbor, but took root with the Passamaquoddy Nation and with another group of investors, only to run into the opposition of the Canadian government, which may well doom the two proposals there by barring LNG vessels entry into Passamaquoddy Bay by the only route that is even
remotely safe for large vessels.

Now? Over the last year and a half, the Maine Department of Transportation, state planning office and others, have managed to browbeat, outnegotiate and otherwise wear down most Sears Island protectors/opponents of the LNG proposal into signing off on an agreement to allow port development on 1/3 of Sears Island. In exchange for....a no-development easement on the rest of the island, and permission to build a visitors center.

What kind of port? That wasn't agreed upon. Could it be LNG once more? Possibly. Now that the LNG proposals on the shore of Passamaquoddy Bay are showing signs of defeat, Sears Island is the only logical site left in Maine.

And this time, most of the area environmental community, having signed off on that Sears-Island-port-is-okay agreement**, will have no legs to stand opposed on, for the agreement they signed pledged them not to oppose any port proposal for the island, as long as the port wannabes follow the regulatory process.

Oh...Governor Baldacci's promise still stands, but something like an 'energy emergency' or other plausible claim could well get him to backtrack on THAT.

** The agreement reached by the now-defunct stakeholders group stated specifically that

" 1) Inappropriate Uses for Sears Island: The Steering Committee acknowledges the position of Governor Baldacci that no LNG facility will be sited over the objection of local residents, and acknowledges that the majority of Searsport residents have clearly objected to siting such a facility within their community. The Steering Committee therefore agrees that no LNG facility of any kind would be an appropriate use for Sears Island."

As aforementioned, this Steering Committee no longer exists...but one hopes its agreements linger on.

The effect of other kinds of industrial ports on Penobscot Bay marine ecology would be similar to that of an LNG terminal - if not worse: (ballast water-mediated invasives, loss of eelgrass meadows important for groundfish larvae, among other impacts.

Arguably the most important thing to be done for Penobscot Bay right now is ensuring that the new federal regulation is finalized that designates Gulf of Maine coastal shallows, including those of Penobscot Bay, as Habitat Area of Particular Concern for juvenile Atlantic cod. See http://www.penbay.org/bm/hapcme.html

Once this process passes through its regulatory reviews, developers that want to impinge on the coast will have to demonstrate that their runoffs and discharges will not harm the prey of juvenile cod, let alone the juvenile cod themselves. The prey for freshly hatched cod -
amoebas and other soft protozoans -- are very susceptible to pesticides, and oil-tainted runoff. The timeline for that regulation is sometime late this year or early next.