Port plans for possible export of wood pellets made locally

The Eastport Port Authority is making plans for the possible export from the Estes Head terminal of wood pellets that would be manufactured locally. According to Port Director Chris Gardner, a foreign company is looking to make the wood pellets at a site "relatively close to the port" for shipment to Europe. "We feel very optimistic that this is a real possibility for the port," says Gardner. "It's one of the best possibilities the port has had in a very long time for a substantial new customer.

The proximity to the port is one of the reasons that the operation would be viable. "This operation will be a long-term partnership, and it will result in local job opportunities," stated Gardner, in his March 17 report to the port authority board. Although the loading of the wood pellets aboard freighters would use the existing workforce, some jobs would be created in manufacturing the pellets.

"Seeing that this is a green energy fuel, we are proud of the role the port of Eastport can play in getting this green fuel to market, while at the same time allowing for its creation and added value to be done at a local scale," stated Gardner.

Three structures similar to grain silos, approximately 130 feet high, would be erected at Estes Head for storing the wood pellets. The port authority is seeking a zoning variance from the zoning board of appeals for the height of the structures, and the board has scheduled a hearing on the request for Tuesday, April 8. A shoreland zoning variance would need to be approved by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection for a conveyor system from the silos to the pier that would be located in the shoreland zone.

Additional information about the operation is expected to be released by the company in the near future.

Cruise ships

In other developments discussed at the March 17 port authority board meeting, board member Jett Peterson stated that the three-masted, modern clipper ship Stad Amsterdam will be visiting Eastport and other ports in Maine in late September or early October this year, bringing a group of German business representatives who are looking for business opportunities. A reception for the business people may be held in Eastport and would include representatives from the Dutch consulate in Boston, which would invite other business people to the reception.

Rick Morren, a consultant hired by the port authority who has a summer home in Cutler and also lives in the Netherlands, has helped arrange the visit. He is president of Morren Mondial Associates, an international business consulting firm.

Details about the planned visit this summer of a cruise ship from Pearl Seas Cruises are still being worked on.

Representatives from Lindblad Expeditions will be visiting Eastport, perhaps in June, to consider adding the port to its itinerary. The company presently has scheduled cruises at Campobello, Grand Manan and along the Maine coast, and Gardner says Eastport is "trying to be the port of call" for the Campobello and Grand Manan visits.

The port authority is also in discussion with Norton Lilly International, a ship's agent based in Boston, about attracting new cruise lines to the port.

Washington St. property

The board voted to develop a plan for the Washington St. property and have a report ready for the next meeting. Gardner has checked with Husson College to see if the college would be interested in using the building for student housing for the Boat School, but he has not received any definitive word. Board members mentioned the possibility of moving the port authority office to that location, since the present office building has problems. Board member George Finch said the Washington St. building could be renovated for an office, although if the renovation cost was too high, the building could be torn down and a new one constructed. He said he would be opposed to moving the office out to the BASF property on Broad Cove, since he believes it should be located downtown. The port authority has a lease with an option to purchase the BASF property, but Finch said he was not committed to the purchase.

Other business

The board approved a lease amendment that will result in a substantial increase in the operating rent paid by the General Services Administration on the Eastport Coast Guard facility, along with a lump sum payment for monies owed to the port authority. The agreement will allow the port authority to limit operational losses and to reinvest in the facility.

A hiring committee, consisting of Gardner and board members Dean Pike and Ricky Camick, decided to recommend that Matt Lacasse be hired as operations crew member. The board voted to hire Lacasse. Finch said a note of caution will be given to Gardner, since he had told the applicants who had been hired before the board voted on the hiring.

Gardner reported that he had testified on three bills before the legislature's Taxation Committee. He requested that the bills, which would provide economic relief to trucking companies and independent haulers for the forest products industry, also include truckers who deliver processed forest products, such as from the Domtar mill in Woodland to the port of Eastport. The bills, which would provide a rebate on taxes paid on diesel fuel, a sales tax exemption for repair parts and maintenance supplies and an amendment to the law on reimbursement of property taxes under the Business Equipment Tax Reimbursement program, will now be considered by the legislature.

Under the federal Maritime Transportation Security Act, a new security measure will require that anyone gaining unescorted access to the Estes Head port area will need to purchase a $133 Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card. Board members noted that eventually the port area will have to be fenced in. Gardner has applied under the port security grant program for funds to replace the gate at Estes Head.

The board held an executive session to conduct its evaluation of Gardner's performance. Gardner was hired as the port director last May.