SCEC lends support to Quoddy Bay LNG -- The Quoddy Tides, Eastport, Maine

The Sunrise County Economic Council has sent a letter of support for Quoddy Bay LNG's proposed liquefied natural gas terminal at Pleasant Point. The SCEC board had voted to support the project at a meeting on August 22, following a presentation by Quoddy Bay on April 18, but the letter was not sent out until the end of November. The votes of the board members were not recorded. Previously, on August 16, 2005, the board had voted to support the Downeast LNG proposal for Robbinston.

In the November 28 letter, board chair Ed Plissey writes that the project's economic impact will be significant. "In addition, the availability of natural gas, which may be obtained affordably, could have a significant impact on the ability of our existing industries, and future industries, to be competitive." However, both LNG developers have no plans to provide natural gas to this area.

Plissey also says the project should result in a net decrease in county property taxes for all Washington County residents and will provide much needed income for the Passamaquoddy Tribe. He does not explain how the project would lower property taxes in communities not near the facility.

"Your company has taken important steps to ensure stakeholder involvement, and we trust you will continue to lend your expertise and resources to related efforts that may utilize the natural gas once available in the area, or seek to address concerns around the region," he writes. "The importance of a successful LNG development in this region cannot be underestimated, and we will do what we can to help."