WISCASSET – Wiscasset voters have rejected ballot questions that would have enabled a developer to move forward with plans for a $1.5 billion coal gasification plant on the site of the former Maine Yankee nuclear power plant.

The key issue of whether to allow the Twin River Energy Center to exceed the zone’s height limit was defeated Tuesday by a vote of 868-707.

Three other questions addressing language changes in town zoning ordinances to facilitate the project were turned back by similar margins in a referendum that drew just over half of Wiscasset’s 3,000 registered voters.

Despite the defeat, Twin River said it was not abandoning its plan. The developer said it will commission studies on such issues as water sources and barge or rail transportation that it hopes will help the project gain the support of voters.

“What we continued to hear from many people throughout the past few months is that they would like to support the project but need detailed answers to some critical questions,” said Joseph Cotter, Twin River president.

Opponents, who cited concerns about pollution from plant emissions and the impact of coal-barge traffic on fishing and boating in the Sheepscot and Back rivers, said the outcome of the balloting shows that the town does not want a coal gasification plant.

“I think the voters of Wiscasset have sent a loud and clear message that this was a bad project,” said Willy Ritch, organizer of the opposition group Back River Alliance.

Supporters said the plant would use gasification technology to transform coal and wood biomass into up to 700 megawatts of electricity and up to 9,000 barrels per day of diesel fuel. They claimed it would provide jobs, lower property taxes for residents and reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil.