Washington County continues
to be flooded with proposals for projects related to the
energy industry. Three potential terminals for liquefied
natural gas (LNG) have been advanced for sites at Split
Rock, Robbinston and Calais; a dam has been proposed to
produce electricity by harnessing the tides at Half Moon
Cove near Quoddy Village; another tidal dam, possibly incorporating
an LNG terminal, is proposed for Cutler; hopes are high
among proponents of a "wind farm" on Passamaquoddy
Tribe land in Township 19 if nearly complete studies over
the past year support the idea. Now three new applications
have been filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(FERC) for permission to conduct feasibility studies of
tidal power projects in Western Passage and Cobscook Bay.
Each of the new projects,
one submitted by the Passamaquoddy Tribe and two by Ocean
Renewable Power Company (ORPC) of Miami, Fla., would consist
of fully-submerged turbines connected to generators, with
the electricity produced to be sold to a local utility.
In a public notice announcing the latest three projects,
the Maine State Planning Office refers to them as "three
competing applications," noting that none involves
the use of a dam. The state cautions that the proposed generating
systems are not yet commercially available, so that their
"technical or economic feasibility" has not been
"demonstrated in the field."
According to Steve Crawford,
environmental director for the tribe, three possible sites
have been identified for study: Kendall's Head, Dog Island
and Shackford Head. He believes Shackford Head is the most
promising of the three, as it is in an area of strong currents
where the facility could be located near the shore. The
system would consist of 55 turbine-generator units, a screen
to protect and deter marine life, two mooring lines to an
anchor on the floor, and a transmission line to the shore.
Average annual electrical output is estimated at 29.25 gigawatt
hours. If the preliminary application is approved, the tribe
would contract with Underwater Electric Kite, based in Annapolis,
Md., to conduct the study, with $130,000 in funding from
the Environmental Protection Agency and the Bureau of Indian
Affairs.
ORPC is proposing two tidal
power projects, one for Western Passage of Passamaquoddy
Bay and one for Cobscook Bay that would extend from Shackford
Head to Birch Point. The former would consist of 80-120
modules, each housing two turbines and a generator, a "support
structure" and a transmission line to shore. Estimated
annual production is 28.8 to 43.2 gigawatt hours. The latter
system would encompass 100-150 modules, a transmission line
and support structure, and generate 36-50 gigawatt hours
annually.
Christopher R. Sauer, president
and CEO for the privately held company, says that ORPC's
research shows the Western Passage site to be "the
best location on the east coast" for the type of power
generating system they propose. "We're looking for
currents of six knots," he explained in a phone conversation
from his office in Denmark, Maine. He notes that the geometry
of the modules his company proposes, greater in width than
height, would allow for as much as 40 feet of water above
them. "There would be no impact on fishing or shipping,"
he stated. Company representatives have visited Eastport
and spoken to town officials on a "very preliminary
basis," he added.
Asked why his company submitted
applications for two similar projects that appear to be
"competing," as they were characterized by the
Maine State Planning Office notice, Sauer explained that
proposals submitted to FERC tend to be addressed in the
order of their receipt, and his applications are "holding
a place in the line" for ORPC.
If FERC issues preliminary
permits for all or any of the tidal projects, the applicant
has three years to complete an economic analysis, initial
engineering plans and environmental impact studies. No construction
is permitted during the preliminary phase, and further procedures
are required prior to approvals for construction and operation
of a facility.
Wind farm study due
According to Crawford, a final
report of a wind study on the blueberry barrens in Township
19 is expected soon from Disgen, a Colorado company that
specializes in wind-based generation systems and currently
has similar projects in various stages of development with
24 other Indian tribes. Crawford says he is optimistic the
data will support a wind farm on part of the 5,000 acres
of trust lands held for the tribe. If so, the matter would
be considered at a tribal council held jointly by Sipayik
and Indian Township representatives. Such a project would
not interfere with berry harvesting on the land, he adds.
If the joint tribal council approves, the next step would
be to seek financing for the project.
Two tidal dams proposed
Normand Laberge, a principal of Tidewater Associates, has
filed applications for two tidal power projects, one at
the former Navy base in Cutler and one at Half Moon Cove,
both involving dams. The Cutler project also envisions possible
construction of an LNG terminal and conversion of the Navy's
diesel plant to LNG to permit continuous operations at the
facility. The Navy Department has submitted a "protest"
to the Cutler proposal "on grounds of inconsistency
with military mission and policy."
The letter to FERC from Andrew
Stackpole for the Navy cites the project's proximity to
"restricted access areas," and policy that excludes
"tide lands and submerged lands" from certain
uses. In his response to FERC, Laberge questions the relevance
of the policy cited by the Navy, and asserts the Navy is
in "violation of air emission standards" at their
diesel-fueled generation facility, a problem that could
be solved if it were converted to tidal power.
Laberge had some criticism for the webmaster of the site
<http://www.SavePassamaquoddyBay.org/> who made an
editorial comment based on the Navy's letter to FERC. Referring
to the Cutler proposal, the website notes, "It appears
that this project is, essentially, dead." Laberge disputes
the comment, saying, "I do not understand how the webmaster
is able to make such definitive conclusions without researching
the subject matter or at least requesting some rebuttal.
This type of arrogance and intransigence has not been an
effective method of protest."
A "motion to intervene"
submitted to FERC by Betsy Elder, hydropower coordinator
for Maine's State Planning Office, lists a number of comments
on the proposed Cutler project from state agencies, including
the Departments of Environmental Protection, Marine Resources
and Conservation, the Atlantic Salmon Commission and governor's
office. She notes the motion "does not represent opposition
to the project," but is a means of preserving the state's
"legal standing." In his response, Laberge pledges
to investigate the issues she raises during the course of
a feasibility study.
A second dam project has been
initiated by Laberge, on behalf of Tidewater Associates,
who has requested FERC approval to conduct feasibility studies
for Half-Moon Cove Tidal Power Project, to be located off
Quoddy Village. The dam would extend 1,210 feet across the
inlet, with a maximum height of 67 feet. A powerhouse with
three turbines, a transmission line and "appurtenant
facilities" is planned. Capacity is estimated at 13.5
megawatts.
Crawford was asked if there
might be competition for approval among the tidal projects
proposed for Western Passage/Cobscook Bay sites and the
tidal dam project at Half Moon Cove. He replied, "Normand
is a friend of mine, but the idea of damming up a cove is
absolutely offensive to me C the ecological effect would
be significant." With regard to the Cutler proposal,
he said there are ancient Passamaquoddy burial grounds adjacent
to the property, which the tribe fears could be disturbed
by construction. They will seek intervenor status with FERC
in opposition, he added.
In response to Crawford's
comments, Laberge stated that concerns about the ecosystem
have to be balanced against our "continuing dependence
on fossil fuel." He acknowledged there would be an
increase in the low tide level of three to six feet, resulting
in "the transition in several hundred acres of intertidal
zone into submerged lands." However, he believes the
ecosystem would "quickly adapt to the new tidal regime,"
and in any event a cost-benefit analysis as part of a feasibility
study would address the issue. As for the Cutler project,
Laberge says he "assisted the Passamaquoddy Tribe in
obtaining rights to Sprague Neck on Cutler Navy land."
He says his proposal for Cutler "would not have an
impact" on Passamaquoddy burial grounds.
LNG proposals updated
No information could be found
on the status of Calais LNG, a proposal announced last year
by principals Fred Moore and Ian Emery. Neither man could
be reached by phone, and there is no indication on the FERC
website that a preliminary permit application has been submitted
for a proposed terminal at Red Beach. Applications have
been received from Quoddy Bay LNG and Downeast LNG, and
FERC is receiving comment on both from public agencies,
interested groups and individuals. |