LIMESTONE – Federal legislation has been introduced to transfer ownership of a portion of an underground pipeline that once carried jet fuel to a former military base from the federal government to the Loring Development Authority of Maine.

“We believe that it can play a big part of our redevelopment effort,” Brian Hamel, LDA president, said Monday.

The bill to transfer the ownership was introduced by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins. The LDA already owns the portion of the 6-inch-diameter pipeline between Bangor and Limestone, about two-thirds of the 200-mile pipeline. The legislation would add the 27-mile section between Bangor and Searsport.

In a prepared statement, Collins said she believes that such a move would maximize the value of the pipeline and foster the economic development of northern Maine.

“In consideration of the large geographical expanse of the state of Maine, the often treacherous winter driving conditions, the fuel shortages that have vexed the northern [region] over the past two winters, I believe that the reunification and return to use of this pipeline would serve the public good in northern Maine,” said Collins’ statement.

The pipeline also would help the proposed manufacturing and processing plants planning to move into the area, according to Collins.

The section of pipeline between Searsport and Bangor addressed in the bill was being used by the Maine Air National Guard to transport fuel. Special legislation was needed to transfer the ownership since the pipe was not part of the base closure process, according to Hamel.

No specific reuse for the underground pipe has been designed yet. At one time, there were discussions about snaking fiber optic wire through the conduit to increase telecommunications capacity in Aroostook County. However, any problems regarding redundancy and telecommunications already have been remedied.

Hamel said that the pipeline will be used at some point to transfer some type of fuel, such as for heating, natural gas or bioethynol.

“We wouldn’t ask for it if we didn’t believe it had a viable economic benefit to Aroostook County,” said Hamel.

The underground pipe crosses 46 rivers and streams as it meanders through eastern Maine, crossing the land of 741 property owners.

There have been several fuel spills associated with the pipeline over the years as it carried jet fuel to operate bomber and tanker aircraft at the former Loring Air Force Base.

Any environmental problems have been cleaned up, according to Hamel.

The Maine National Guard and the Maine Department of Transportation support the reunification of the pipeline under the LDA’s control. In addition, the bill would save $100,000 in federal funds, which would be spent to support the administration of the disposal of the unused pipeline, according to Collins.