"We Just LOVE the Passamaquoddy!"...Cianbro Corp.

Cianbro, Passamaquoddy reach LNG deal
Saturday, November 19, 2005 - Bangor Daily News

INDIAN TOWNSHIP - The details of an agreement between Cianbro Corp. of Pittsfield and the Passamaquoddy Tribe may be Washington County's latest secret, but it is clear the corporate giant will have some kind of role in the Calais LNG project.

"I can confirm there is an agreement between Cianbro and Indian Township tribal government on LNG for Calais," Fred Moore of Washington County-based St. Croix Development confirmed. He declined to elaborate. "I am not going to get into the specifics," he said.

He said the agreement was reached in the past week.

Asked if Cianbro would have a role in the development of the proposed facility, he said, "I can only say that there is an agreement, the details of which I am not in a position to speak to."

Gov. Bobby Newell and Lt. Gov. Joe Socabasin did not return telephone calls Friday.

Cianbro President and CEO Peter Vigue confirmed Friday that an agreement has been reached with the Passamaquoddy Tribe to develop an LNG facility Down East. Vigue did not elaborate.

"We have a longstanding relationship with the Passamaquoddy that dates back many, many years, and we just have an agreement to work with them and support them," he said. "I think it is obviously pretty clear in terms of the Calais LNG facility and the development of that facility."

Moore agreed with Vigue that the company and tribe have worked together on other projects. He said the company at one time managed Dragon Products Co. of Thomaston for the tribe. "They are a credible organization and a good company," Moore said. "The tribe has had a long and successful history with Cianbro."

Vigue, who said he had cut his teeth working with the Dicenzo Corp. Construction Co. in Calais, said he was very supportive of efforts in Washington County. "All we are trying to do is assist efforts and bring some economic development to Washington County and improve the well-being of those people who live in that area, as well as maybe provide some additional alternatives to the energy challenges that we face here."

Now known as Calais LNG, earlier this year St. Croix Development announced plans to construct a $500 million terminal and storage tank facility on more than 300 acres in Red Beach, south of Calais. The principal partners in the land deal are tribal state Rep. Fred Moore and Rep. Ian Emery, R-Cutler. The company will own the land and the tribe will own the facility, which would employ approximately 50 people. The land is located between Devil's Head Conservation Park and St. Croix Island on what was formerly the Fenderson land.

Plans call for a pier to be built in the St. Croix River, across from the Canadian shipping port at Bayside, New Brunswick. The gas would be piped along the pier to two storage tanks.

Although everyone was tight-lipped about the project, Cianbro's interest in the Calais LNG project is not a surprise.

Last year, company officials expressed interest in building a liquefied natural gas terminal in the Gouldsboro village of Corea. Residents told Vigue in no uncertain terms that the local community was opposed to the construction of a facility. The company dropped the plan.

There are two other proposed LNG projects that also are moving forward. The Oklahoma-based Quoddy Bay LLC entered into a lease agreement with the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point, a reservation located approximately 60 miles from Indian Township, to build a facility at Split Rock with a pipeline that would connect with storage tanks in either Robbinston or Perry.

Also, Washington D.C.-based Downeast LNG has proposed building a facility in Robbinston.

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