The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has granted approval to Tidewalker Associates to conduct a feasibility study for a combined tidal power plant and LNG terminal at the U.S. Navy antenna station in Cutler. Normand Laberge, a professional engineer from Trescott who is a Tidewalker principal, says he received a letter last week from the agency that gives him three years to provide the economic, engineering and environmental data that would entitle Tidewalker's application to further consideration for licensing by FERC.
Laberge says he is already working on a new application to the regulatory agency for a similar tidal power project, without the LNG component, in a different site, this one at Half Moon Cove in Cobscook Bay near Quoddy Village. He says the new application will be ready to submit to FERC "by the end of this week [June 23]."

     The Half Moon proposal revives a concept Laberge was working on some 25 years ago in conjunction with the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point. At that time, he was a consultant to the tribe when they filed federal applications to build a tidal power generating station at the site. The project got sidetracked, Laberge says, when the tribe decided to pursue other business interests.

     Now, he says, a tidal dam at Half Moon Cove might have additional merit. With the Quoddy Bay LNG proposal for a terminal at Sipayik, concerns have been raised about the lack of a secondary road for Eastport residents to evacuate the city in an emergency. Laberge's proposal for a tidal power facility in the cove would include a road across the dam at the site of the former toll bridge. He says such a road could serve as an alternative "escape route" for residents to reach the Quoddy Village section of the city from Moose Island.

     Laberge is employed as an environmental compliance officer at the Navy's facility. He says he has not yet spoken with naval officials about the Cutler proposal, though he says, "They know about it." He plans to conduct the feasibility study himself, "on my own time," but recognizes he may have to resign his post if "conflict of interest" issues arise. He says he has spoken with officials at Beachwood Bay Estates, the business that is marketing condominiums on the site of the former Cutler Navy base, and they have raised no objections about a power plant on Little Machias Bay, which he says would not be visible to condo residents. He says he has heard some negative comment from his fellow employees who fear their jobs could be at risk.

     In his initial application, Laberge estimated the cost of the feasibility study at about $500,000. He says he will use his own funds and will be able to reduce costs by acting as project engineer himself. There are two other principals connected with Tidewalker Associates, he says, but declines to name them.