I am worried about the east-west highway bill, L.D. 1671, before the Legislature. Taxpayer money shouldn’t be spent on private projects, such as this highway.

Legislators say we don’t have enough funds for basic needs, such as fixing our existing roads, yet some of them sponsor a bill to use state money to study the feasibility of a huge infrastructure project that will be privately owned.

What is the purpose of an east-west highway connecting remote sites in northern Maine?

Who stands to profit if one is built?

I think we need to look closely at outsiders coming to Maine intending to build a highway whose primary purpose will be shipping liquid petroleum gas from a megatank proposed for Searsport, to be used in Canada for fracking.

Fracking is a method of extracting natural gas that has polluted water tables and even caused earthquakes. Generally water is injected into the earth’s crust to release deposits of natural gas, but LP gas also can be used. Maine communities will not benefit from such an energy transport project across our state, at their expense.

I think Maine’s natural resources — including air quality, water quality and forests — should not be auctioned off. They are the legacy meant for our kids and our grandkids.

People who agree should contact their state legislators to let them know that they can represent you by opposing L.D. 1671.

Lisa Savage

Solon

Copy the Story Link