News Briefs

3-27-04:
In what seems to be a rather Big-Brotherish move, the Federal Government rejects California's arguments and insists that the Federal Government that has sole jurisdiction over approval, siting, and construction of LNG terminals. Read more.

3-21-04:
The Friends of Sears Island hold an informational meeting at Searsport District High School which attracts more than 250 people. Speakers include Astrig Tanguay and members of the Fair Play group from Harpswell. The sentiment at the meeting is strong opposition to LNG at Sears Island.

3-17-04:
The Searsport town selectmen decide to ask the town attorney to draft a six-month moratorium on any new developments on Sears Island. To go into effect, the moratorium would have to be approved at a special town meeting.


3-15-04:
The Friends of Sears Island ask Governor Baldacci to clarify his comments on the role of the town of Searsport in the decision-making process.

Steve Miller of Friends of Sears Island points out that Baldacci said earlier that his administration would let local governments make any decisions about LNG terminals, but he also said Transportation Commissioner David Cole will continue evaluating proposals for Sears Island. .

The group has asked the governor to create a forum or task force to discuss the island's future, and not to sign a letter of intent until there's a public debate in the surrounding towns.


3-12-04:
Governor Baldacci releases a position paper on LNG development in Maine stating that the state is looking for communities to step forward to express interest in "this development opportunity." The Governor goes on to state that the town of Searsport will have the last word in any development plan::

"Searsport is somewhat unique in that it is a state-owned parcel of land that has already attracted attention by LNG developers. The land was purchased by the Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) recognizing its national economic significance as deep-water access proximate to rail, highway, port, and pipeline infrastructure with an existing shipping channel. Sears Island is also a potential site for non-LNG developments, with ample additional resources for recreation, preservation, and tourism development as well. MDOT has already initiated dialog with the Town of Searsport to develop a balanced management plan for the entire island. The recreation and conservation potential of the island must be a key component of that management plan; DOC Commissioner Pat McGowan will be part of this planning process. Working closely with DECD Commissioner Jack Cashman, MDOT Commissioner David Cole will continue to evaluate proposals from any developer that seeks to purchase or lease portions of the island for LNG or other purposes. MDOT will not enter into any formal agreement with an LNG developer over the objections of the Town of Searsport. Any management plan for the island will succeed only with a community vision and a partnership between the state and the town."

3-11-04:
Through the Freedom of Information Act the Friends of Sears Island have been able to go through state documents that show that the island is owned by the State of Maine and not by the Dept. of Transportation, as previously believed. This may seem like a technicality, but the signficance is that Governor Baldacci would therefore have to approve any development plan for the island.

3-9-04:
The Town of Harpswell has rejected a proposed LNG storage facility in their town. Good news for them! But also it means more pressure will be placed on utilizing Sears Island for such a facility.

Links to Articles in the News

Sears Island
VillageSoup, United States  - Mar 3, 2004
... groups and residents of the town of Searsport—some of the same parties who helped
defeat construction of a cargo port on Sears Island eight years ago— went ...

Friends of Sears Island seek help from governor
VillageSoup, United States  - Feb 26, 2004
SEARSPORT (Feb 26, 2004): Friends of Sears Island adopted a focused direction for
the first time Sunday with members endorsing a plan to seek the support of Gov ...

Harpswell voters reject LNG terminal
Portland Maine Press Herald, ME  - Mar 10, 2004
... forward. But the results could give impetus to an alternate plan to
develop an LNG terminal at Sears Island in Penobscot Bay. After ...
Harpswell vote  -  VillageSoup
Harpswell looks to heal wounds after LNG vote  -  Press Herald
Harpswell voters decide whether to allow LNG terminal  -  Portland Maine Press Herald
and more »

Sears Island development eyed again
VillageSoup, United States  - Feb 13, 2004
BELFAST (Feb 13, 2004): A master plan is in the works for Sears Island that could
allow the largely forested 941-acre island to be used for a variety of ...

State denies it has pact to sell island
Press Herald, ME  - Mar 4, 2004
AUGUSTA — The state is evaluating Sears Island as a possible site for a liquefied
natural gas terminal, but it has no agreement to sell the land to ...

Unstable ocean floor could derail LNG project
VillageSoup, United States  - Mar 3, 2004
By Peter Taber. SEARSPORT (March 4, 2004): Geology could have the final say whether
a proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal is built on Sears Island . ...

Will Searsport get a 300 megawatt power plant?
VillageSoup, United States  - Feb 26, 2004
SEARSPORT (Feb 26, 2004): Regardless of whether Sears Island ever becomes the
site of a proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, an industrial park ...

Harpswell voters to decide plans for LNG terminal
Portland Maine Press Herald, ME  - Mar 8, 2004
... Maine officials announced last fall that an unidentified company was considering
building an LNG project on Sears Island in Penobscot Bay, but Maine could only ...

Something smells like rotted eggs...
VillageSoup, United States  - Feb 13, 2004
... of Transportation's Gary Nadeau minimize the extent to which a liquefied natural
gas (LNG) terminal and related development would occupy space at Sears Island ...