Equipment damaged at plant

BUCKSPORT — The site manager for the proposed Applied Energy Services Co. coal-fired power plant in Bucksport said Monday that someone had climbed ladders near the NAPA Auto Parts Store on Main Street and damaged the company’s air sampling equipment.

According to Don Carlson, the vent on the top of the high-tech equipment was broken and two air hoses were sliced with a knife.

The incident is believed to have taken place sometime during the week of Aug. 13.

“They cut up an American flag and stuffed it down the tubes,” Carlson said. “The police are calling it malicious vandalism. I think we were targeted purposely. You can look at that flag and read about anything into it that you want.”

The sampling equipment is owned by C.T. Main of Boston, Mass., and was erected by the Virginia-based power company as part of the state Department of Environmental Protection Agency’s requirements to complete an application for an air emissions license. Carlson said the equipment has been in place since April and is checked twice each week. He added that the damage was not expected to delay the firm’s timetable for completing its air sampling process.

AES is scheduled to be the topic of a special public hearing Thursday before the Bucksport Planning Board as the company continues its summer-long efforts to obtain a shoreland zoning permit from the town.