ORPC seeks grant funds for center of renewable energy

Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC) is applying for approximately $3.5 million from the Maine Technology Institute (MTI) to help build a renewable energy center at the BASF property on Broad Cove in Eastport. The Eastport Port Authority board of directors, at its January 15 meeting, voted to apply for the funding, in conjunction with ORPC.

The funding would need a 50% match, which could include the value of the property and ORPC's investment in the property. Because the Eastport Port Authority is a quasi-municipal body and not a nonprofit organization, the Sunrise County Economic Council will serve instead as the fiscal agent under the funding request. MTI will make a decision on the request in six months.

John Ferland of ORPC stated that the company considers the renewable energy center "a beachhead" in this area that would allow for other ocean energy developers to work on projects in Eastport. "We see this facility as creating the beginning of the possibility of other ocean energy and offshore wind projects." The center would include a number of partners, including ORPC, the Eastport Port Authority, the University of Maine, Maine Maritime Academy and The Boat School-Husson University.

Port now connected to rail

Port Director Chris Gardner reported that Pan Am Railways will be rehabilitating a "piggy-back" ramp system on its rail line in Baileyville, next to the Domtar mill, that will allow for the loading or unloading from trucks to rail cars. "The port can market itself as rail connected now," said Gardner. Federal Marine Terminals Manager Skip Rogers said that there had been business opportunities in the past if the port had been connected to the rail line, and he noted that a freight forwarder with an office in Portland, C.H. Robinson, might be interested in shipping cargo through the port that is currently being received through Canada.

Gardner has spoken with Louisiana-Pacific, which owns the former oriented strand board mill in Baileyville, about acquiring land for an intermodal facility for transferring cargo from rail to trucks. The piggy-back ramp offers more limited access than an intermodal facility to the rail line and would be primarily for project cargo but not any bulk cargo.

Windmill shipments

Rogers reported that two ocean freight carriers, Westfal-Larsen and Intermarine, have asked for cost estimates for shipping windmill blades from Brazil through the port of Eastport. The windmill parts would be for projects in Maine. General Electric had asked the carriers to look at the possibility of shipping through Eastport, Rogers said, adding, "Our visit to GE paid off." Gardner noted that City Manager George Finch had helped identify pile-down areas for storage of the parts in the city.

Federal Marine Terminals has reached a preliminary agreement with the Passamaquoddy tribal government to use the Gates Formed Fibre building in Quoddy Village for wood pulp warehousing.

The board voted to purchase the BASF property at Broad Cove upon receipt of a "no further action" statement from the Department of Environmental Protection. The board already had voted to purchase the property if a number of conditions are met, and has been paying a monthly fee of $3,000 that will be applied to the $350,000 purchase price.

Tugboats and barges

The board discussed in executive session an offer from McAllister Towing for the leasing of a tug to replace the Pleon and also a quote for providing the crew for the tug. Board members also voted to build a small work barge that could be used by the port authority for pier and mooring maintenance. It might also be leased to ORPC, since the company has a need for one. The barge would cost an estimated $37,000 and be built by port authority staff.

Other action

The port authority has submitted a port security grant application to the Department of Homeland Security for $187,000 to replace the lighting on the Estes Head pier. Last year the port authority was awarded $65,000 through the same program to improve the security checkpoint, although the funds have not yet been received.

Gardner reported that the Coast Guard Station in Eastport is interested in installing a small-scale wind power unit on its communications tower. The Coast Guard also is looking at installing a tidal power unit near the breakwater.

The board re-elected the following officers: John Sullivan, chairman; George Finch, vice chairman; Brian Schuth, secretary; and Dean Pike, treasurer.