A new coal gassification plant is being proposed for the former site of Maine Yankee Nuclear Power Plant. This plant would generate 700 megawatts of electricity from the gas and 9,000 barrels of diesel fuel. This is a contentious plan and last Thursday, October 11, the North End Lobster Co-op held a demonstration with 30 lobster boats and a gaggle of shore-bound supports including two state representatives. The lobster co-op opposes the new plant because of the shipping vessels that would be going in and out of lobstering grounds. The lobstermen claim that the barges delivering coal would severely decrease the areas that lobstermen could fish in. This recent demonstration is a great example of the potential for collaboration between economic interests and environmental interests. The idea for the rally came from the lobstermen who contacted the Conservation Law Foundation that helped spread the word to the media. Having grown up in Maine, I have heard many times from the fishing community “those damned environmentalists!” The local press coverage also talked about the need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions which is hopefully a message that fishermen can take up along with their own specific qualms. This issue may help to bring these usually opposing sides together and help all parties realize the multiple stakeholders that are effected by new coal projects.
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There’s a hearing on this at the chewonki foundation on october 24th, if you have any interest in organising something with us, email me at jessie@risingtidenorthamerica.org
Thanks for updating on this, John - I grew up in Maine too and have been listening with concern to reports about the coal gasification plant debate . Please keep us posted about ways the (unfortunately non-Maine resident) public can weigh in or help out.