As debate over the proposed propane storage facility in Searsport goes on, it is absolutely critical that we do not lose sight of the bigger picture, which is addressing the overarching energy needs of our state and region.
Propane is an important component of our energy mix, as an estimated 26,000 households in the state heat with propane, including many lower-income and elderly people who live in some of the poorest areas of rural Maine. Almost all of our propane is brought in from far-flung out-of-state facilities, leaving some of Maine’s most vulnerable populations at risk as any number of factors beyond the state’s control can greatly disrupt supply, leading to shortages and price spikes in the dead of winter.
This vulnerability was highlighted in spades in February of 2007 when Maine faced just such an emergency. I was commissioner of transportation at the time and witnessed this severe propane shortage brought on by a rail strike and unfavorable weather conditions.
For several days that February, Gov. John Baldacci and the Maine Emergency Management Agency team scrambled to identify not only available supplies of propane from beyond our borders but also the means of getting this essential commodity to Maine. Through a great deal of effort, Baldacci and our team were able to patchwork through these challenges, working with suppliers such as DCP Midstream and the transportation industry to prioritize available supplies to the most at-risk populations, such as the elderly.
It was not without economic consequences, however. For example, Fisher Engineering in Rockland had to shut down its snowplow manufacturing operations temporarily and send approximately 150 workers home because of the lack of propane to run the plant.
In the aftermath of this event, it became abundantly clear that we need our own primary storage facilities here in Maine to better control supplies and stabilize pricing and not be held hostage to the outside world in our ability to heat our homes and businesses. It is just common sense to do all we can to address this glaring weakness in our energy supply chain, and it is the right thing to do for all of those families that depend on propane for those cold winter days like February 2007.
For all these reasons, I strongly support DCP Midstream plans to build a propane storage facility at the Port of Searsport.
Why Searsport? The most economic and environmentally friendly means of bringing propane to Maine is by ocean cargo, and a midcoast location makes sense given proximity to users as well as good in-land connections. Furthermore, since the late 1970s, Maine has pursed a “three-port strategy” (Portland, Searsport and Eastport) and the Port of Searsport specifically serves the midcoast region and much of the hinterland of Maine, including the Penobscot Valley and Aroostook County, by both rail and highway.
It is also important to point out that Mack Point in Searsport already serves as the “energy port” for this region, with an established energy terminal and access to a deep-water channel. In short, a propane storage facility is essential to our energy security, the midcoast area is the right location, and only Searsport has the infrastructure to handle this endeavor.
And having worked in economic development in eastern Maine and the midcoast region for 24 years, I see several reasons for the citizens of Searsport to support this development beyond the role it will play in our energy security. From what I understand, DCP Midstream has agreed to hire local labor for up to 100 construction jobs and the 12 to 15 permanent jobs will pay an average of $70,000 plus benefits.
DCP Midstream will pay its fair share of property taxes as well to the town of Searsport, which will be significant, and hasn’t asked for any tax property tax breaks such as tax increment financing. Add to this Midstream’s stellar safety record and I think you have the makings of a pretty good partnership with the community.
There have been some grumblings that the Searsport project will increase truck traffic. Certainly there will be more trucks on the road. However, some perspective is needed. Through the permitting process, Maine DOT determined that 3.8 million vehicles a year pass through Route 1 in Searsport. The increased traffic generated by this project would account for less than one-tenth of 1 percent of current traffic and barely moves the needle.
Economic development for Searsport, energy security for Maine: sounds like a win-win situation to me.
David Cole was transportation commissioner in the Baldacci administration. He now operates David Cole Consulting, which advises clients on transportation issues.
There is no sense in talking about jobs for Maine’s future generations if we keep rejecting every attempt to streamline our state’s energy supplies and trade flows. Searsport is and always has been a port. Central and northern Maine cannot compete in a global economy if its ports cannot function to improve economic efficiencies for the larger region. Scenic coastlines are attractive but so are a thriving ports.
I have a solution to the NIMBY attitude about this tank.
Doesn’t anyone remember SEARS ISLAND?
Oh, that’s right, Mack Point is plenty big enough to serve Searsport’s shipping needs, at least that’s what the moonbats told us when Sears Island was on the table for discussion.
When will this maddness end?????
David Cole missed an opportunity to address several issues of concern to locals, not all of whom are moonbatty treehuggers.
Local business owners are concerned for their livelihood; should their concerns carry less weight than a large corporate conglomerate? How much of the propane passing through this mammoth tank/truck dispersal matrix will actually end up in Maine homes? Maybe a lot, but Cole didn’t mention it, so I’m left wondering. Cole talks about all vehicles passing through Searsport as if they are equal; we all know the damage heavy trucks do that tourist cars and local commuters don’t. Most of those millions of vehicles passing through also do not carry hazardous materials. Given a choice, would you add to the dangers you face on the road? Finally, why are other tanks like this located in remote areas? Is there reason to be wary of this operation being so closely nestled among our midcoast communities?
You can dismiss all these concerns as NIMBY Nonsense as easily as someone else can dismiss Cole’s arguments as Corporate Claptrap. Neither position sheds light on the issues, does it?
David Cole is a paid consultant to a huge corporation bent on destroying democracy in a small Maine town for their commercial ends. Searsport residents need to consider the ramifications of this huge project without interference. DCP is plastering our town with notices urging voters to Vote NO on a moratorium designed to allow Searsport voters time to properly study and debate this project.
The fix is in–as demonstrated by the way DCP has seduced selected, connected employees and wannabees in Searsport. We see the deep pockets of an energy company used to turn our independent, scenic and historic town into a place dominated by its “corporate welfare”–they want to decide what is good for us! DCP should not be allowed to use their money to influence Searsport residents’ vote on March 10th. If you thought corporate financial influence on elections was a problem only in national or state politics, just watch DCP and its influence-peddlers in Searsport over the next weeks.
David Cole’s Consulting company is already advertising to develop Sears Island on his Web site. In order to do that Mack Point must be filled, the DCP tank would accomplish that and Mr. Cole would then be free to make money hand over fist.
Christopher Hyk, Belfast
Well – David Cole is just a small fish in a large pond albeit he’ll probably be able to retire if he pulls off this coup. Remember – he is Marketing Sears Island to the World – but interestingly he hasn’t been transparent re his consulting firm . So – let’s move and explore the bigger situation.
According the Propane Education and Research Council – http://www.propanecouncil.org, training for propane accidents (be they the largest Bulk Storage facility on the east coast ) of the 18 wheeled tanks – or the Bobtails (they are the ones that deliver to your home) – training for those accidents should be 250 hours (can be done over a 6 months period) per each and every firefighter.
The PERC (referred to above) is funded totally by every gallon of propane that is “pumped” in the U.S. – obviously they are prejudiced to protect the industry
Next – Cole does remind us of what happened in 2007. However, since then things have changed in the US – and hence – we have a glut of gas – propane, natural (yes you can see how that is extracted) in the U.S. to the point that Amerigas and UGI stocks/bonds have gone down tremendously and Chesapeake Energy as of 2 days ago, announced there were closing down some of their drillings because… gas is too cheap these days what with the glut and the warm winter and they aren’t making enough money (billions is too little for them)
Its called – Manipulating the citizenry.
PERC also reminds everyone in their Safety bulletins that the most dangerous times for the tankers and the Bobtails to be on the road – is winter Of course, we need more propane in winter than any other time – but – this is MAINE – we have snow, black ice, sleet, freezing rain – all of the stuff we got today.
All of DCPs talk and Cole’s talk does NOT advise what will happen if there is a tanker, or a Bobtail accident (in that more will be on the road) – and while the Searsport Fire Chief says” we’ll all come together” – that’s a bunch of nonsense. IF all of the little volunteer fire dept. haven’t had the appropriate training – they’ll come together and probably be injured or killed.
See FEMA report http://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/tr-120.pdf
And then – if you really want to be horrified as to what can happen – I refer you to the BLEVE in Toronto – which you can literally see at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__1Ym_F94CE&feature=related.
ONCE you’ve done that homework – then consider who is going to pay for all of this while we absolutely get nothing back and DCP’s stockholders rake in the BIG< BIG Bucks