September 16, 1975
Page 28869
PETITIONERS SUPPORT PASSAMAQUODDY
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, as we undertake an examination of our national energy resources and energy policy, it is imperative that we recognize the tremendous potential of the tidal flow in Passamaquoddy Bay.
Interest in Quoddy dates to 1919 when Dexter Cooper first proposed that tidal flows from the Passamaquoddy and Cobscook arms of the Bay of Fundy be harnessed to generate electric power.
The tides in the Bay of Fundy are among the strongest in the world — averaging 18 feet and occasionally reaching 27 feet. Quoddy has been a subject of national interest since the early 1930's when President Roosevelt became interested in the project and construction was begun under the Emergency Relief Act of 1935. The project was abandoned when further appropriations were not provided.
The project has been reexamined in 1961, 1963, and 1965. The technical feasibility has been upheld in each of these studies but results have varied as to the economic feasibility. The economic projections for the project were based largely on comparisons to thermal generating plants which are no longer appropriate.
Recent dramatic changes in the costs and availability of fossil fuels have dramatized the need to develop alternative energy sources. The Passamaquoddy Tidal Power project presents a unique opportunity that we can no longer afford to neglect.
On March 21, the Public Works Committee, at my request, approved a resolution requesting the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors to examine the feasibility of Passamaquoddy in view of recent economic and technical developments. I have asked the Public Works Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee to include funds for that study in the appropriation for general investigations. The committee is now reviewing that proposal.
The Energy Research and Development Administration also has a mandate to investigate tidal power as an alternative energy source, and in response to promptings from Senator HATHAWAY and myself has now begun research in the area.
Local interest in the use of tidal power dates to the period before Maine became a State when small mills powered by the ebb and flow of the tides were developed on estuaries from Kittery to Lubec. One such plant was located at Somesville at the head of Somes Sound on Mount Desert Island. In colonial times there wasa small mill powered by the tides at Chelsea, Mass.
This interest continues to the present and was most recently expressed in a petition to the Maine congressional delegation urging action on legislation funding a reexamination of Quoddy as an attractive solution to both the energy problems and unemployment problems which confront Washington County, Maine, and the entire country. I have recently received such a petition from the Passamaquoddy tidal power advocates with over 1,700 signatures.
I ask unanimous consent that the text of that petition be printed in the RECORD, and urge my colleagues and involved administrative officials to take note of the tremendous support evidenced by the 1,700 signatures on this petition.
There being no objection, the petition was ordered to be printed in the RECORD, as follows:
PETITION FOR THE PASSAMAQUODDY TIDAL POWER PROJECT
Whereas, the United States, and particularly, the New England area, by reason of fuel costs and availability, now face unconscionable hardships due to plant closings, unemployment, and
Whereas, Maine, and particularly Washington County, is and has been hardest hit by such shortages, lack of work and excessive energy costs,
Now therefore, we, the undersigned, residents and/or citizens of the community indicated opposite our signatures, hereby petition our Congressional delegation to immediately propose, enact and fund legislation designed to authorize engineering and architectural revisions of the International Passamaquoddy Tidal Power Project to take advantage of recent technological improvements; and to support and implement, as necessary, negotiations by the State Department with Canada for cooperation in the joint venture to bring about and on line this vital electrical installation as soon as possible.