November 10, 1969
Page 33600
REPLY TO OPPOSITION OF SIERRA CLUB TO PROPOSED REFINERY AT MACHIASPORT, MAINE
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, on October 8, 1969, the junior Senator from Wyoming (Mr. HANSEN) had printed in the RECORD a newspaper article from the Washington Post entitled "Refinery in Maine Opposed by Sierra."
The article announced the opposition of the Sierra Club to the proposed new refinery to be constructed at Machiasport, Maine.
The Honorable Kenneth M. Curtis, Governor of the State of Maine, has written to the Sierra Club, replying to their attack on the refinery. In his letter, Governor Curtis describes the need for balanced recreational and economic development of the Maine coast, and the steps that are being taken to assure this development.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Governor's letter be printed in the RECORD.
There being no objection, the letter was ordered to be printed in the RECORD, as follows:
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR,
Augusta, Maine,
September 19, 1969.
Mr. GARY SOUCIE,
Eastern Representative, The Sierra Club,
New York, N.Y.
DEAR Mr. SOUCIE: Thank you for your recent letter and the attached copy of the Sierra Club's position in opposition to the proposed oil refinery and deepwater port at Machiasport, Maine.
Certainly we welcome your interest in "maintaining the environmental quality of the Maine coast" and hope that your organization and its local chapter will be active in efforts to encourage the constructive use of our coastal resource while coincidentally suggesting valid alternatives to suggest coastal development projects proposed by the state or private industry.
In this connection, I would be most interested in your organization's position relative to the Wiscasset nuclear power plant being constructed by the Maine Yankee Atomic Power Company.
Many of us are deeply disturbed by the threat of thermal pollution posed by this plant and would certainly appreciate any expertise which the Sierra Club might bring to bear on this subject.
Let me assure you that I share your concern that the Maine coast be properly utilized to the maximum benefit of all our citizens. To assist the State in evaluating alternatives, the New England Regional Commission is making a technical assistance grant of $30,000 to help to finance the development of a master plan for the Maine coast. Such a plan should be of invaluable assistance to the State in planning for the development of our valuable coastal resource with consideration for both the economic and environmental needs of its residents.
Certainly there is room enough along our coast to accommodate many different uses, and the State must plan accordingly.
Surely it is possible to achieve a balanced development of the coastal zone by taking advantage of its peculiar characteristics for the growth of both recreational and industrial development.
Maine, and Washington County in particular, are badly in need of economic stimuli, and seasonal employment generated by our tourist trade is simply not a sufficient long-term solution, to our basic economic shortcomings. The development of a major refining center at Machiasport would provide much needed employment in one of our most depressed areas. I need not cite the statistical data (per capita income, outmigration of educated youths, etc.) that describe the county for I am sure that you reviewed them in the preparation of your study. Perhaps we disagree as to the importance of these statistics but I do feel that the poor housing, insufficient education, and present pollution which in large part result from the inadequacy of our present tax base are more of an environmental blight than a modern refinery and terminal facility operating under the strictest possible regulations.
As Governor, I feel a very real responsibility to assist the people of Maine to raise their standard of living to a level of parity with our New England neighbors. Yet in so doing. through a major project such as the proposed Machiasport refinery, we must be careful to insist upon full protection for the environment of the affected area. Consequently, we will insist that the highest environmental standards be applied to any industrial facility constructed in the area. And beyond this protection, we have moved to ensure that the refineries and related industrial facilities be located away from the coast (approximately 12 miles) at an inland location. While such a move will be costly to the companies involved, we feel that proper land use policies demand the preservation of as much of the coast as possible for scenic, recreational, and possibly residential purposes.
Perhaps the decision to preserve the residential and recreational potential of the coast by developing an inland site for the processing units and future satellite development best evidences our dual concern – that Maine citizens be offered meaningful employment opportunities within our state and that coincidentally every effort be made to effectively use and protect all of our natural resources.
I regret that the Sierra Club has found it necessary to oppose this worthy project but am hopeful that in other areas related to Maine's future, we can work in concert.
Sincerely,
KENNETH M. CURTIS,
Governor.