Searsport says 'no' to propane tank moratorium

PORTLAND, Maine — Energy officials have long wanted to decrease reliance on heating oil in Maine, but efforts to bring other fuel sources into the state have not always been met with open arms.

Mainers have resisted past efforts to increase the flow of natural gas through large liquefied natural gas terminals along the coast.

But on Saturday, residents in the coastal town of Searsport voted 297 to 165 against a proposed moratorium that would have slowed or possibly derailed a proposal to build a 14-story-high storage tank for propane brought to Maine by tankers. In a straw poll eight years ago, townspeople voted against the idea of an LNG terminal.

With the moratorium now defeated, Denver-based DCP Midstream will move forward with plans to erect the 22.7 million-gallon

Return to top