[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 18 (Thursday, February 8, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1227-S1228]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. COLLINS:
  S. 296. A bill to authorize the conveyance of a segment of the Loring 
Petroleum Pipeline, Maine, and related easements; to the Committee on 
Armed Services.
  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Loring 
Pipeline Reunification Act, a bill to authorize the conveyance of a 
segment of the Loring Petroleum Pipeline from the U.S. Air Force to the 
Loring Development Authority, LDA, in Limestone, ME. The LDA will soon 
control more than two-thirds of this pipeline as the result of a 
process that was initiated nearly 3 years ago. By conveying the 
remaining segment to the LDA with this bill and placing the pipeline 
under the control of one entity, its value will

[[Page S1228]]

be maximized as will its ability to foster the economic development of 
northern Maine.
  The pipeline at issue originally was built to supply the Loring Air 
Base with fuel products critical to its mission. Prior to the base's 
closure in 1994, Defense Fuels, now known as the Defense Energy Support 
Center, DESC, would deliver fuel products by tanker to Searsport, where 
the line originates, and then pump them through the line to the base. 
For a period following the base closure, the Maine Air National Guard 
continued to use the Searsport to Bangor segment to supply their 
activities in Bangor. After a study by Defense Fuels, however, the Air 
National Guard changed their means of transporting fuel from pipeline 
to truck. Consequently, in 1999, the U.S. Air Force made the largest 
segment of the pipeline, which runs from Bangor to Limestone, available 
to LDA for reuse. The Air National Guard supports the reunification of 
this pipeline under LDA's control as does the Maine State Department of 
Transportation.
  In consideration of the large geographical expanse of my State, the 
often treacherous winter driving conditions, and the fuel shortages 
that have vexed the Northeast over the past two winters, I believe that 
the reunification and return to use of this pipeline would serve the 
public good in northern Maine. It would provide a safer and more 
efficient means of transporting fuel and, thereby improve the climate 
for manufacturing and processing plants currently considering new 
operations in the economically challenged area surrounding Limestone.
  It is also worth noting, that from a cost-avoidance perspective, my 
bill will save the U.S. taxpayer more than $100,000 which would 
otherwise be required to support the administrative disposal of this 
currently unused pipeline. By passing this bill, the Senate and, 
ultimately, the Congress can help expand the options and opportunities 
for Aroostook County.
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