BEP to hold hearing on LNG project

CALAIS – The Maine Board of Environmental Protection will hold a public hearing to receive testimony on the applications of Downeast LNG Inc. and Downeast Pipeline LLC for permits to construct a liquefied natural gas terminal and import facility in Robbinston and a pipeline project in Robbinston, Calais, Baring Plantation, Baileyville and Princeton.

The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. Monday, July 16, at Calais High School and, as necessary, continue beginning at 8 a.m. Tuesday, July 17; Wednesday, July 18; Thursday, July 19; and Friday, July 20, at the high school.

The hearing is open to the public.

The daytime sessions will be devoted to receiving testimony from the applicant Downeast LNG and the intervenors, or legally recognized parties. They are the town of Robbinston, Save Passamaquoddy Bay, We Take Care of Our Land, Fishermen’s Associations, town of Robbinston residents, Professional Mariners and Water Users of Passamaquoddy Bay, Quoddy Bay-Bear Creek Investments, city of Eastport, Eastport Port Authority, and Roosevelt Campobello International Park Commission.

The board will hold an evening session at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 17, at the Robbinston School to receive testimony from members of the general public. A second evening session to receive testimony from the general public will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 19, at Calais High School.

Downeast LNG and Downeast Pipeline LLC have applied for a site location of development permit, a Natural Resources Protection Act permit, an air emission license, and water quality certification under the Federal Clean Water Act.

Issues on which the board will hear testimony include, but are not limited to: impacts to existing scenic, aesthetic, recreational and navigational uses of the coastal wetland within Maine’s coastal waters; harm to aquatic and wildlife habitats; fisheries; water quality; wetlands; air quality; and infrastructure needs and impacts.

Comments on the applications may be submitted orally to the BEP at the hearing or in writing until the close of the public hearing. Written comments may be mailed to: Department of Environmental Protection, Attn: Jennifer Cayer, 106 Hogan Road, Bangor 04401, or e-mailed to Jennifer.Cayer@maine.gov. All written comments from the general public must be received by 5 p.m. Friday, July 20.

The file on the matter is available for public review at the DEP’s Eastern Maine Office at 106 Hogan Road, Bangor.

For further information or to arrange to view the file, contact DEP staff at the address above or phone Cayer at 941-4570.