ROCKLAND, Maine — A citizens group hailed the approval last week of local laws that will regulate any future energy plants in the city.
A news release sent out Friday by Amy Files of Renew Rockland said the ordinances were groundbreaking.
“This first-in-the-nation policy sets ambitious environmental targets for power plants,” Files said in the release.
The Rockland City Council voted 4-1 at its July 11 meeting to approve the ordinances. The ordinances were in response to a proposal last year by Rockland Energy Center LLC to build a natural-gas fired plant that would have produced electricity and steam. The company backed off when the City Council enacted a moratorium in January to allow the municipality to develop regulations.
The ordinances ensures that ensures local development aligns with community values and resources, Files said.
The ordinances require that any power plant must reduce the net air emissions in Rockland, sets a cap on water usage, imposes aggressive water reuse and recycling standards and requires preparation of a decommissioning plan before approval by local authorities.
“The public process of crafting these ordinances has been extensive, inclusive, and transparent. It involved the city’s Planning Board, Energy Advisory Committee, Comprehensive Planning Commission, and City Council, as well as multiple rounds of input from residents, expert consultants, city staff, and environmental and business advocacy groups. This process resulted in ambitious energy policy that is effective as well as attainable and fair,” Files stated.
Renew Rockland is a local community advocacy group that has played a prominent role in the vigorous public debate over Rockland’s energy policy. Renew Rockland’s mission is to promote sustainable economic growth and a healthy community by educating on the importance of protecting our natural resources, encouraging green infrastructure, promoting renewable technology and energy efficiency and ending dependence on fossil fuels.
The vote came despite reservations voiced last month by the city’s largest taxpayer and the head of the local chamber of commerce. Jeff Hamilton, the general manager of FMC, said earlier this year he still has concerns over some of the wording of the ordinances.
Hamilton said his concerns include whether new lower noise standards would affect the carrageenan manufacturing plant. He said the company some day could want to switch to a co-generation energy system that would produce steam and electricity and that the proposed regulations on air emissions and water usage could make that project more difficult.
The council is scheduled to meet 5:30 p.m. Monday at City Hall to discuss the power plant ordinances even though final approval was given last week. Mayor Louise MacLellan-Ruf promised the workshop last month but one had not been held prior to the vote. The majority of councilors said they wanted to move ahead with passage and the workshop could be held to determine whether any changes were needed in the ordinances.
Councilor William Clayton was lone councilor to vote against the ordinances.
Clayton said his main reason for wanting the workshop was to review some major gray areas in what the impact would be on FMC or any other businesses.
“I am extremely proud of how the overall process worked, community involvement and decision making,” Clayton said. “Even though I was not ready to vote for it last week it was a great example of working together in a democratic way.”