ROCKLAND, Maine — The City Council will consider next week whether to approve a six-month moratorium on energy plants.
A partner with the company that plans to locate a natural-gas fired power plant in Rockland said if the moratorium is approved, the company would go elsewhere. He also warned that the moratorium would send a negative message to other businesses that consider investing in the community.
Councilor William Jillson, who was elected to the council last month, announced Monday he would be placing a proposed moratorium at the council’s Dec. 14 meeting. The moratorium would cover plants of 10 megawatts or greater.
Evan Coleman, a partner with Rockland Energy Center, asked councilors to hold off considering a moratorium until early February. At that time, the company will present a detailed plan to the city that will address concerns raised by the public on emissions, the pipeline route, noise and smokestack height.
He said if the council still has concerns then it could take such action. He said, however, that imposing a moratorium now would mean the company would cease spending more money on planning for the plant. He said the company has already spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on the planning.
“We’re just asking for the same process as everyone else. We want a fair process where the benefits can be weighed,” Coleman said.
City attorney Kevin Beal said a municipality can impose a moratorium if a development would overburden city services or if the city determines that regulations are inadequate to prevent harm to the public.
Coleman said that the project will not burden city services. He said if the council waits until the plan is unveiled in February, it will know whether current city, state and federal regulations are adequate.
The power plant was originally proposed to be 68 megawatts but is now likely to be 35 megawatts, he said. He said the route of the natural gas pipeline is likely to be Searsmont to Rockland and be located underground.
Coleman said poverty is an issue in the region and the state, and that this project will help provide jobs.
City Manager James Chaousis pointed out that the city has been wrestling for years about an abysmal lack of growth of taxable properties.
The proposed moratorium states that the energy plant can be a source of considerable noise and pollution and be a blight to the area it is located if not properly regulated. The proposed moratorium also contends that the city has limited regulatory tools to protect the public health and safety.
The moratorium would extend for 180 days from Dec. 14 and cover any plant 10 megawatt or larger. The proposal also directs the planning board to develop recommended ordinances within 90 days to regulate energy plants.
Rockland Energy had considered building the plant on property where City Hall and the public services garage are located, but it has now found private land to build on. The location in Rockland has not been released by the company.
The plant has been met with opposition from some residents, saying the city should not support a project that relies on fossil fuels.