Appendix J 

Regional Site Selection Study 
Appendix J – Downeast LNG Regional Site 

 Selection Study Results

J-1

Table J-1 

Results of Regional Site Selection Study Conducted by Downeast LNG 

(FERC Docket No. CP07-52-000) 

LNG Import Terminal Candidate Sites – Maine 

Site Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 

Site Location Cannery Gravel Pit Mill Cove Coastal Gleason 

Cove Estes Head Quoddy 

Head 

Town Robbinston Robbinston Robbinston Perry Perry Eastport Lubec 

 COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT (40% weight) 

 Official Town Support Yes Yes Yes Questionable Questionable Possible Possible 

 Residents' Position Supportive Supportive Supportive Generally 

supportive 

Generally 

supportive 50/50 or less > support possible 

 Land-use Status Variance 

needed 

Variance 

needed 

Variance 

needed 

Variance 

needed 

Variance 

needed 

Variance 

needed No variance

 Legal Control of Site Pending Pending Pending No-action No-action No No-action 

 Status of Opposition None in 

community 

None in 

community 

None in 

community 

Against 

Quoddy 

Against 

Quoddy Likely None 

Position of Adjacent 

Communities 

Generally 

supportive 

Generally 

supportive 

Generally 

supportive 

Some 

opposition 

Some 

opposition 

Some 

opposition 

None at 

present 

 Socioeconomic position Job+growth 

focus 

Job+growth 

focus 

Job+growth 

focus 

Job/env. 

Focus 

Job/env. 

Focus Job Focus Job+growth focus 

Impact on other 

activities Minimal Minimal Minimal Minimal Minimal Possible Minimal 

SCORE 8 8 8 6 5 3 7 

 MARINE ASSESSMENT (30% weight) 

Technical Issues (15%) 

Sufficient draft (min 38' 

MLW, ideal 45' MLW) 40 - 200 ft 40 - 800 ft 40 - 3,500 ft or less 40 - 400 ft 40 - 3,500 ft 60 MLW 40 - 1,500 ft

 Current Less than 1 

knot 

Less than 1 

knot 1-5 knots 1 - 2 knots +5 knots 

w/tide Minimal Minimal 

 Wave regime None None None None None None Yes, 

protected 

Shipping channel with 

sufficient 

breadth/length (400') 

3/4 mile 1/2 mile +3/4 mile Several miles 3/4 mile Yes NA 

Sufficient turning 

radius (2,000') 3/4 mile 3/4 mile +3/4 mile Several miles 3/4 mile Yes NA 

 Transit of bridges No No No No No No No 

Level of shipping 

traffic at site Low Low Low Low Medium Medium Low 

Security Issues - Ship 

Protection Good Good Good Good Fair Fair Good 

Security Issues - Tank 

Protection Good Good Good Good Poor Poor Good 

Port Restrictions - 

Affects Low Low Low Low High High Low 

SCORE 9 6 6 9 3 9 6 
Appendix J – Downeast LNG Regional Site 

Selection Study Results

J-2

Table J-1 (Cont’d) 

Site Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 

Site Location Cannery Gravel Pit Mill Cove Coastal Gleason 

Cove Estes Head Quoddy Head 

Town Robbinston Robbinston Robbinston Perry Perry Eastport Lubec 

 Environmental Issues (15%) 

 Dredging to Depth None 

required 

None 

required 

None 

required 

None 

required Possible No No 

Dredging Affects on 

Bio Resources? None None None None High None None 

Dredge Spoil 

Contamination 

Possible? 

None None None None High None None 

Endangered 

species/habitat? No No No No Yes No Maybe 

 Limited or no fishery activity including: 

 Aquaculture leases No No Yes, weir No Yes, weir Yes No 

 Lobster habitat No No No No No No Some 

 Molluscan habitat No No Possible No Yes Yes Some 

 Blood worm habitat No No No No Yes No No 

Limited or no presence of: 

 Shorebird habitat Periodic flyby 

Periodic flyby Possible Periodic flyby Possible Minimal Some 

 Waterfowl habitat Minimal Minimal Possible Minimal Possible Minimal Some 

Sea mammal habitat 

(otters, seals and 

whales) 

None None None None Yes - otters 

and seals Yes Yes 

 Aesthetics - View of Pier/Ship 

 Degree of Visibility Partially 

hidden 

Partially 

hidden 

Partially 

hidden Visible Very visible Visible Visible 

Number of Potential 

Viewers Limited Limited Limited None Very visible High High 

 Marine Use Compatibility 

 With Existing Use? Former Dock No No No No Dock No 

 With Future Use? Compatible Open Use Open Use Open Use Open Use Compatible Open Use 

 With Surrounding Use? Historical No No No No No No 

Cultural Resources - 

Marine Low Low LowMedium Low Medium Low Low 

SCORE 8 8 7 8 2 7 7 
Appendix J – Downeast LNG Regional Site 

 Selection Study Results

J-3

Table J-1 (Cont’d)

Site Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 

Site Location Cannery Gravel Pit Mill Cove Coastal Gleason 

Cove Estes Head Quoddy Head 

Town Robbinston Robbinston Robbinston Perry Perry Eastport Lubec 

 LAND ASSESSMENT (30% weight) 

Technical Issues (15%) 

Undeveloped land in 

the project vicinity – 

land sufficient to meet 

thermal and vapor 

exclusion zones 

Yes: 4.5 acre 

parcel on 

coast - land 

in back 

available, but 

road crossing 

Possible: 9 

acres on 

coast - 

exclusion 

zone on 

adjacent 

property 

Yes: 80 acres 

on coast - 

exclusion 

zone on 

property 

Mixed 

parcels 

45 acres on 

coast - 

exclusion 

zone may 

cover U.S. 

Route 1 

15 acres - 

exclusion 

zone on 

nearby 

homes 

Some 

available - 15 

acres 

Housing units within 

radius 

Tank 

location no 

homes - 

homes near 

cyropipes 

Yes - some 

buys No Possible No Yes Homes nearby 

Site availability – land 

available for purchase 

ideally with industrial 

zoning 

Yes Yes Yes Yes Lease 

negotiation NA Yes 

Existing infrastructure 

(Roads, Power, Water, 

etc.) 

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 

Energy corridor 

commitment – distance 

to gas transmission 

lines 

20 miles 20 miles 22 miles 30 miles 40 miles 45 miles 45 miles 

 Flood free zones Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 

SCORE 3 6 8 7 7 3 4 

Environmental Issues (15%) 

Environmentally 

sensitive species No No No No Yes Yes Possibly 

Environmentally 

sensitive ecosystems No No No No Yes Yes Possibly 

Wetlands in vicinity of 

site 

Exempt, 

small No No No Yes No No 

 Aesthetics - View of Tanks 

Existing landscape 

quality 

Disturbed / 

Ind 

Disturbed / 

Ind 

Disturbed/ 

natural Disturbed Disturbed Disturbed Protected 

 Degree of Visibility Low Low Low Low High High High 

Number of Potential 

Viewers Low Low Low Low High High High 

 Land Use Compatibility 

 With Existing Use? Yes Yes No No No Yes No 

 With Future Use? Probably Probably Probably 

Not 

Probably 

Not No Yes Probably Not 

 With Surrounding Use? No Possibly No No No Yes No 

 With Recreational Use? Close 

proximity No Not apparent No Close 

proximity 

Close 

proximity Yes 
Appendix J – Downeast LNG Regional Site 

Selection Study Results

J-4

Table J-1 (Cont’d) 

Site Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 

Site Location Cannery Gravel Pit Mill Cove Coastal Gleason 

Cove Estes Head Quoddy Head 

Town Robbinston Robbinston Robbinston Perry Perry Eastport Lubec 

Proximity to Large 

Population No No No No Yes Yes Yes 

 Fill Requirements? None Isolated None Possible None None None 

Surface Water 

Resources 

Drainage 

ditch None None None Pond None None 

Unique/Harvested 

Vegetation No No No No No No No 

Cultural Resources - 

Land None None Low Low Medium High None 

 Geotechnical Suitability Good Good Good Good Unknown Good Good 

 Noise Sensitivity Low Low Low Low High High Low 

 Site Contamination Low-medium Low-medium Low Low Low Low-medium Low 

SCORE 5 7 7 5 5 6 5 

TOTAL SCORE Cannery Gravel Pit Mill Cove Coastal Gleason 

Cove Estes Head Quoddy Head 

 

Community 8 8 8 6 5 3 7 

Marine 17 14 13 17 5 16 13 

Land 8 13 15 12 12 9 9 

 

Weighted Total Score 

(Max = 10) 6.95 7.25 7.4 6.75 4.55 4.95 6.1 

 

Comparative Rank 

(n/27) = 3 2 1 4 15 13 6 

 
Appendix J – Downeast LNG Regional Site 

 Selection Study Results

J-5

Table J-1 (Cont’d)

Site Number 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 

Site Location South Road Bailey's 

Mistake Navy Base Navy Base Sears Island Mack Point Navy Base 

Town Lubec Lubec Cutler Gouldsboro Searsport Searsport Harpswell 

 COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT (40% weight) 

 Official Town Support Possible Possible Possible None None None None 

 Residents' Position > support 

possible 

> support 

possible 50/50 Majority against 50/50 50/50 50/50 

 Land-use Status No variance No variance No variance Variance 

needed No variance No variance No variance

 Legal Control of Site No-action No-action 

Navy 

controlled 

site 

Govt. 

controlled 

Navy 

controlled 

site 

Navy 

controlled 

site 

Navy 

controlled 

site 

 Status of Opposition None None Some against 

Quoddy Against Organized/active 

Organized/ac

tive 

Organized/ac

tive 

Position of Adjacent 

Communities 

None at 

present 

None at 

present 

None at 

present Against Against Against Against 

 Socioeconomic position Job+growth 

focus 

Job+growth 

focus 

Job/growth/t

ourism 

fishery/touris

m 

Fishery/touri

sm conflict 

Fishery/touri

sm conflict 

Fishery/touri

sm conflict 

Impact on other 

activities Minimal Minimal Minimal Possible Unknown Unknown Yes 

SCORE 7 6 5 2 2 5 3 

 MARINE ASSESSMENT (30% weight) 

Technical Issues (15%) 

Sufficient draft (min 

38' MLW, ideal 45' 

MLW) 

40 - 500 ft 40 - 500 ft 40 - 700 ft 40 - 1,000 ft 40 - 500 ft 40 - 3,500 ft 40 - 700 ft 

 Current Minimal Minimal Minimal Yes Minimal Minimal NA 

 Wave regime Yes, 

protected 

Yes, 

protected 

Yes, 

protected Yes None None None 

Shipping channel 

with sufficient 

breadth/length (400') 

NA NA NA NA NA NA Yes 

Sufficient turning 

radius (2,000') NA NA NA NA NA Restricted Yes 

 Transit of bridges No No No No No No No 

Level of shipping 

traffic at site Low Low Medium Medium High High Medium 

Security Issues - Ship 

Protection Good Good Good Good Good Fair Fair 

Security Issues - Tank 

Protection Good Good Fair Fair Good Good Good 

Port Restrictions - 

Affects Low Low Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium 

SCORE 8 8 9 4 9 4 7 
Appendix J – Downeast LNG Regional Site 

Selection Study Results

J-6

Table J-1 (Cont’d)

Site Number 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 

Site Location South Road Bailey's 

Mistake Navy Base Navy Base Sears Island Mack Point Navy Base 

Town Lubec Lubec Cutler Gouldsboro Searsport Searsport Harpswell 

 Environmental Issues (15%) 

 Dredging to Depth No No No No No Required No 

Dredging Affects on 

Bio Resources? None None None None None High None 

Dredge Spoil 

Contamination 

Possible? 

None None None None None High None 

Endangered 

species/habitat? No No No No Some No No 

 Limited or no fishery activity including: 

 Aquaculture leases No No No No No No No 

 Lobster habitat Some Some Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 

 Molluscan habitat No No No No No No No 

 Blood worm habitat No No No No No No No 

Limited or no presence of: 

 Shorebird habitat Minimal Minimal Minimal Minimal Minimal Minimal Minimal 

 Waterfowl habitat Minimal Minimal Minimal Minimal Minimal Minimal Minimal 

Sea mammal habitat 

(otters, seals and 

whales) 

Yes Yes No Probably Yes Yes Yes 

 Aesthetics - View of Pier/Ship 

 Degree of Visibility Partially 

hidden 

Partially 

hidden Visible Visible Visible Visible Visible 

Number of Potential 

Viewers Limited Limited Very visible Visible Very visible Very visible Very visible

 Marine Use Compatibility 

 With Existing Use? No No Dock Dock No Dock Dock 

 With Future Use? Open Use Open Use Compatible Compatible Open Use Compatible Compatible

 With Surrounding Use? No No Yes Yes No Yes No 

Cultural Resources - 

Marine Low Low Low Low Low Low Low 

SCORE 8 8 5 5 6 4 4 
Appendix J – Downeast LNG Regional Site 

 Selection Study Results

J-7

Table J-1 (Cont’d)

Site Number 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 

Site Location South Road Bailey's 

Mistake Navy Base Navy Base Sears Island Mack Point Navy Base 

 LAND ASSESSMENT (30% weight) 

Technical Issues (15%) 

Undeveloped land in 

the project vicinity – 

land sufficient to meet 

thermal and vapor 

exclusion zones 

Yes - 

possibly 

available 

Yes - 

possibly 

available 

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 

Housing units within 

radius No No No No No No No 

Site availability – land 

available for purchase 

ideally with industrial 

zoning 

No Indust No Indust Apparently 

no 

No No Yes No 

Existing infrastructure 

(Roads, Power, Water, 

etc.) 

Roads Only Roads Only Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 

Energy corridor 

commitment – distance 

to gas transmission 

lines 

45 miles 45 miles 45 miles >40 miles 14 miles 12 miles 20 miles 

 Flood free zones Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 

SCORE 5 4 5 3 7 8 7 

Environmental Issues (15%) 

Environmentally 

sensitive species Possibly Possibly Possibly Yes No No Yes 

Environmentally 

sensitive ecosystems Possibly Possibly Possibly Yes No No Yes 

Wetlands in vicinity of 

site Possibly No No No No No No 

 Aesthetics - View of Tanks 

Existing landscape 

quality 

Disturbed/ 

natural 

Disturbed/ 

natural Disturbed Disturbed Disturbed/ natural Disturbed Disturbed 

 Degree of Visibility Low Low Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium 

Number of Potential 

Viewers Low Low Medium Low High Medium Medium 

 Land Use Compatibility 

 With Existing Use? No No No No No Yes No 

 With Future Use? Probable not Probable not Probable not Probable not Probable not Yes Probable 

 With Surrounding Use? No No No No No Yes No 

 With Recreational Use? No No Close 

proximity 

Close 

proximity 

Close 

proximity 

Close 

proximity 

Close 

proximity 

Proximity to Large 

Population No No No No No No No 

 Fill Requirements? None None None None None None None 
Appendix J – Downeast LNG Regional Site 

Selection Study Results

J-8

Table J-1 (Cont’d)

Site Number 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 

Site Location South Road Bailey's 

Mistake Navy Base Navy Base Sears Island Mack Point Navy Base 

Town Lubec Lubec Cutler Gouldsboro Searsport Searsport Harpswell 

 

Surface Water 

Resources No None None None None None None 

Unique/Harvested 

Vegetation No No No No No No No 

Cultural Resources - 

Land None None None None None None None 

 Geotechnical Suitability Good Good Good Good Good Good Good 

 Noise Sensitivity Low Low Low Low Medium Medium Medium 

 Site Contamination Low Low Medium Medium Low-medium Medium Medium 

SCORE 4 4 6 3 7 8 5 

TOTAL SCORE South Road Bailey's 

Mistake Navy Base Navy Base Sears Island Mack Point Navy Base 

 

Community 7 6 5 2 2 5 3 

Marine 16 16 14 9 15 8 11 

Land 9 8 11 6 14 16 12 

 

Weighted Total Score 

(Max = 10) 6.55 6 5.75 3.05 5.15 5.6 4.65 

 

Comparative Rank 

(n/27) = 5 7 9 24 11 10 14 

 
Appendix J – Downeast LNG Regional Site 

 Selection Study Results

J-9

Table J-2 

Results of Regional Site Selection Study Conducted by Downeast LNG 

(FERC Docket No. CP07-52-000) 

LNG Import Terminal Candidate Sites – Non-Maine 

Site Number 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 

Site Location 

Off-shore (NE 

Gateway or 

Neptune) 

Salem 

Harbor 

Existing 

Distrigas 

Harbor 

Islands 

Quincy 

Harbor 

Cape Cod 

Canal 

Shell Refin. 

(Weaver’s 

Cove Site) 

Town Gloucester, 

MA Salem, MA Everett, MA Boston, MA Quincy, MA Sagamore, 

MA 

Fall River, 

MA 

 COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT (40% weight) 

 Official Town Support Growing 

Opposition 

Harbor is 

DPA Against Unknown NA Unknown Against 

 Residents' Position Growing 

Opposition Mixed 50/50 Unknown +Against 

Mixed, 

growing antiwindfarm 

++Against 

lawsuit 

 Land-use Status NA - 

offshore Offshore OK Existing Govt. Cons. Trust Mostly park Unknown None needed

 Legal Control of Site NA - 

offshore offshore OK Existing Govt. No No Yes 

 Status of Opposition ++Against Industry 

opposed ++Against Not developed 

Not 

developed 

Derivative of 

Wind Farm 

Strong and 

growing 

Position of Adjacent 

Communities Assume NA Not apparent 50/50 Unknown Unknown Mixed ++Against 

 Socioeconomic position Fishery 

conflict 

Fishery 

conflict None Tourism conflict 

Possible 

conflict Unknown Minimal 

Impact on other 

activities 

Possible 

fishery 

Possible 

fishery 

Boston 

Harbor 

(Pipeline 

(PL) 

Yes Possible Possible Env. + 

recreation 

SCORE 7 4 5 3 5 5 1 

 MARINE ASSESSMENT (30% weight) 

Technical Issues (15%) 

Sufficient draft (min 38' 

MLW, ideal 45’ MLW) NA Not in harbor 40 - 500 ft Yes No Yes Dredging 

required 

 Current +5 knots Not specified Not specified Variable +5 knots 

w/tide Minimal Minimal 

 Wave regime High High None Variable None Exposed None 

Shipping channel with 

sufficient 

breadth/length (400') 

NA No 1/2 mile Yes Yes 600 ft 

400 ft 

Federal 

channel 7 

miles 

Sufficient turning 

radius (2,000') NA No Yes Yes No Only 600 ft 

Minimal - 

must be 

expanded 

 Transit of bridges No No Yes No No No 3 bridges 

Level of shipping 

traffic at site NA Not specified Medium Variable Variable Poor Medium 

Security Issues - Ship 

Protection Fair Fair Fair Fair Variable Poor Fair 

Security Issues - Tank 

Protection NA Fair Fair Fair Variable Poor Fair 

Port Restrictions - 

Affects NA High High Variable Variable High Medium 

SCORE 5 3 5 7 5 4 1 
Appendix J – Downeast LNG Regional Site 

Selection Study Results

J-10

Table J-2 (Cont’d) 

Site Number 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 

Site Location 

Off-shore (NE 

Gateway or 

Neptune) 

Salem 

Harbor 

Existing 

Distrigas 

Harbor 

Islands 

Quincy 

Harbor 

Cape Cod 

Canal 

Shell Refin. 

(Weaver’s 

Cove Site) 

Town Gloucester, 

MA Salem, MA Everett, MA Boston, MA Quincy, MA Sagamore, 

MA 

Fall River, 

MA 

 Environmental Issues (15%) 

 Dredging to Depth NA Major for 

harbor 

Required for 

pipeline No Required No Significant (2MM CY)

Dredging Affects on 

Bio Resources? 

Possible high 

(Regas) Possible high Possible high None High None High 

Dredge Spoil 

Contamination 

Possible? 

None Yes Yes None High None High 

Endangered 

species/habitat? No Unknown Possible (PL) Possible Possible Possible No 

 Limited or no fishery activity including: 

 Aquaculture leases Yes - 

fisheries No No Possible Possible Fishing No 

 Lobster habitat Yes Yes Possible (PL) Possible Possible Yes No 

 Molluscan habitat Yes Yes Possible (PL) Possible No Possible No 

 Blood worm habitat No No No No No No No 

Limited or no presence of: 

 Shorebird habitat No Probable no 

(Harbor) Yes Yes Yes Probable Possible 

 Waterfowl habitat Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Probable Possible 

Sea mammal habitat 

(otters, seals and 

whales) 

Whales 

possible Probably Probably No Probably Probably 

Ship transit 

through 

whale 

breeding 

grounds 

No 

 Aesthetics - View of Pier/Ship 

 Degree of Visibility Visible Visible Very visible Very visible Very visible Very visible Very visible

Number of Potential 

Viewers Very visible Very visible Very visible Very visible Very visible Very visible Very visible

 Marine Use Compatibility 

 With Existing Use? No No 

 (DPA yes) Dock No No No Dock 

 With Future Use? Open Use Open Use Compatible Open Use Prob No Open Use Compatible

 With Surrounding Use? No No 

 (DPA yes) Yes No No No Yes 

Cultural Resources - 

Marine Low Low Low Variable Variable Low Low 

SCORE 8 8 7 8 2 7 7 
Appendix J – Downeast LNG Regional Site 

 Selection Study Results

J-11

Table J-2 (Cont’d) 

Site Number 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 

Site Location 

Off-shore (NE 

Gateway or 

Neptune) 

Salem 

Harbor 

Existing 

Distrigas 

Harbor 

Islands 

Quincy 

Harbor 

Cape Cod 

Canal 

Shell Refin. 

(Weaver’s Cove 

Site) 

Town Gloucester, 

MA Salem, MA Everett, MA Boston, MA Quincy, MA Sagamore, MA Fall River, MA

 LAND ASSESSMENT (30% weight) 

Technical Issues (15%) 

Undeveloped land in 

the project vicinity – 

land sufficient to meet 

thermal and vapor 

exclusion zones 

Yes 

(offshore) 

Yes 

(offshore) No Yes No 

Available but 

insufficient 

exclusion 

zone on land 

and channel

Available, 1000 

ft exclusion 

zone extends 

over interstate 

highway 

Housing units within 

radius NA Not at harbor No Variable No Dwellings within zone Possible 

Site availability – land 

available for purchase 

ideally with industrial 

zoning 

NA Probably No No No Yes Yes 

Existing infrastructure 

(Roads, Power, Water, 

etc.) 

No Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes 

Energy corridor 

commitment – distance 

to gas transmission 

lines 

12 miles 10 miles 12 miles 10 miles Yes 35 miles 10 miles 

 Flood free zones Hurricane Hurricane Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 

SCORE 5 4 5 5 3 3 3 

Environmental Issues (15%) 

Environmentally 

sensitive species Yes Yes-offshore Probably (PL) Yes Probable Yes Yes 

Environmentally 

sensitive ecosystems Yes Yes-offshore Probably (PL) Yes Probable Yes Yes 

Wetlands in vicinity of 

site 

Yes 

(delivery) 

Disturbed 

DPA No Probable Probable No Bordering project site 

 Aesthetics - View of Tanks 

Existing landscape 

quality 

Disturbed/ 

natural 

Disturbed/ 

natural 

Disturbed/ 

natural Variable Variable Disturbed/ natural Disturbed 

 Degree of Visibility Low Medium High High High High High 

Number of Potential 

Viewers Low Medium High High High High High 

 Land Use Compatibility 

 With Existing Use? No No 

 (DPA yes) Yes No No No Yes 

 With Future Use? Probable not Probable not Probable not Probable not Probable not Probable not Yes 

 With Surrounding Use? No No No No No No Yes 

 With Recreational Use? No Close 

proximity 

Close 

proximity 

Close 

proximity 

Close 

proximity 

Close 

proximity No 

Proximity to Large 

Population No No No No No No Yes 

 Fill Requirements? None None None None None None None 
Appendix J – Downeast LNG Regional Site 

Selection Study Results

J-12

Table J-2 (Cont’d) 

Site Number 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 

Site Location 

Off-shore (NE 

Gateway or 

Neptune) 

Salem 

Harbor 

Existing 

Distrigas 

Harbor 

Islands 

Quincy 

Harbor 

Cape Cod 

Canal 

Shell Refin. 

(Weaver’s 

Cove Site) 

Town Gloucester, 

MA Salem, MA Everett, MA Boston, MA Quincy, MA Sagamore, MA 

Fall River, 

MA 

Surface Water 

Resources Yes-Regas Yes-Regas None None None None None 

Unique/Harvested 

Vegetation No No No No No No No 

Cultural Resources - 

Land None None None None None None None 

 Geotechnical Suitability Good Good Good Good Good Good Good 

 Noise Sensitivity Low High Medium High High Medium High 

 Site Contamination Low Low-medium Medium Low-medium Low Low-medium Medium 

SCORE 5 5 5 5 5 5 4 

TOTAL SCORE Off-shore Harbor Existing Harbor 

Islands

Quincy 

Harbor

Cape Cod 

Channel

Shell 

Refinery

 

Community 7 4 5 3 5 5 1 

Marine 10 7 10 12 8 8 4 

Land 10 9 10 10 8 8 7 

 

Weighted Total Score 

(Max = 10) 5.8 4 5 4.5 4.4 4.4 2.05 

 

Comparative Rank 

(n/27) = 8 21 12 16 18-T 18-T 25 

 
Appendix J – Downeast LNG Regional Site 

 Selection Study Results

J-13

Table J-2 (Cont’d)

Site Number 22 23 24 25 26 27 

Site Location New London 

Harbor

New Haven 

Harbor

Quonset 

Point Coal Plant

Existing 

Keyspan 

Facility

Fuel Oil 

Terminal

Town New 

London, CT 

New Haven, 

CT Quonset, RI Brayton Point, RI 

Providence, 

RI 

East 

Providence, 

RI 

 COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT (40% weight) 

 Official Town Support Unknown Unknown Unknown Against 

Possible 

support + 

against 

Unknown 

 Residents' Position Mixed Initial, 

against Unknown Against Mixed Unknown 

 Land-use Status Unknown Industrial Unknown Power/fuel 

storage Existing tank Existing fuel 

oil operation

 Legal Control of Site No Possible No, state 

owned Bankruptcy Yes Unknown 

 Status of Opposition Not 

developed Developing Unknown Initial opposition 

Initial 

opposition Unknown 

Position of Adjacent 

Communities Unknown Against Unknown Against Impartial/ against 

Possible 

against 

Socioeconomic 

position Unknown Unknown None Minimal Minimal Unknown 

Impact on other 

activities 

Near nuclear 

submarine 

base 

High Unknown Env. + power Env. + 

recreation 

Major rec 

path 

SCORE 5 5 5 3 5 4 

 MARINE ASSESSMENT (30% weight) 

Technical Issues (15%) 

Sufficient draft (min 

38' MLW, ideal 45' 

MLW) 

Yes, existing 

Yes - 

dredging 

required 

Dredging 

required 

Dredging 

required 

Existing, 

limited ship 

size, 

dredging 

required 

May require 

dredging 

 Current Minimal Minimal Minimal Minimal Minimal Minimal 

 Wave regime No No No None None None 

Shipping channel with 

sufficient 

breadth/length (400') 

Yes Yes Yes Yes 2,000 feet 5,000 feet 

Sufficient turning 

radius (2,000') 

No, turned in 

main harbor 

Insufficient - 

dredging 

required 

Insufficient - 

dredging 

required 

Yes Yes Yes 

 Transit of bridges No No 1 bridge 1 bridge 1 bridge 1 bridge 

Level of shipping 

traffic at site Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium 

Security Issues - Ship 

Protection Fair Fair Fair Fair Fair 

Poor, 

mitigation 

required 

Security Issues - Tank 

Protection Fair Fair Good Good Fair Good 

Port Restrictions - 

Affects Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium 

SCORE 3 3 3 3 3 4
Appendix J – Downeast LNG Regional Site 

Selection Study Results

J-14

Table J-2 (Cont’d) 

Site Number 22 23 24 25 26 27 

Site Location New London 

Harbor

New Haven 

Harbor

Quonset 

Point Coal Plant

Existing 

Keyspan 

Facility

Fuel Oil 

Terminal

Town New 

London, CT 

New Haven, 

CT Quonset, RI Brayton Point, RI 

Providence, 

RI 

East 

Providence, 

RI 

 Environmental Issues (15%) 

 Dredging to Depth Possibly at 

berth Required Significant (3MM CY) 

Significant 

(3-4MM CY) Required Possible, limited 

Dredging Affects on 

Bio Resources? Low High High High High None 

Dredge Spoil 

Contamination 

Possible? 

Possible High Possible High High Low 

Endangered 

species/habitat? No No Possible No No No 

 Limited or no fishery activity including: 

 Aquaculture leases Yes 

(+Fishing) 

Yes 

(+Fishing) 

Yes 

(+Fishing) 

Fish 

Limitations No No 

 Lobster habitat Yes Yes Yes No No No 

 Molluscan habitat Yes, closed Yes, cultured Yes, closed No No No 

 Blood worm habitat No No No No No No 

Limited or no presence of: 

 Shorebird habitat Possible Probable Probable Unknown Unknown Probable no

 Waterfowl habitat Possible Probable Probable Possible Unknown Probable not

Sea mammal habitat 

(otters, seals and 

whales) 

Probable No Possible No No No 

 Aesthetics - View of Pier/Ship 

 Degree of Visibility Very visible Very visible Very visible Very visible Very visible Very visible

Number of Potential 

Viewers Very visible Very visible Very visible Very visible Very visible Very visible

 Marine Use Compatibility 

 With Existing Use? Dock Dock Dock Dock + 

power 

Dock Dock 

 With Future Use? Compatible Not 

compatible 

Not 

compatible Possible Compatible Compatible

 With Surrounding Use? Mixed Yes Yes, but 

airport No No No 

Cultural Resources - 

Marine Low Low Low Low Low Low 

SCORE 3 3 3 3 3 5 
Appendix J – Downeast LNG Regional Site 

 Selection Study Results

J-15

Table J-2 (Cont’d)

Site Number 22 23 24 25 26 27 

Site Location New London 

Harbor

New Haven 

Harbor

Quonset 

Point Coal Plant

Existing 

Keyspan 

Facility

Fuel Oil 

Terminal

Town New 

London, CT 

New Haven, 

CT Quonset, RI Brayton Point, RI 

Providence, 

RI 

East 

Providence, 

RI 

 LAND ASSESSMENT (30% weight) 

Technical Issues (15%) 

Undeveloped land in 

the project vicinity – 

land sufficient to meet 

thermal and vapor 

exclusion zones 

Near airport 

and offices 

Limited or 

no 

availability, 

near airport, 

parks etc 

Yes No existing 

uses 

No Yes 

Housing units within 

radius 

Dwellings 

within zone Possible Possible Yes Yes - some possibly No 

Site availability – land 

available for purchase 

ideally with industrial 

zoning 

Possibly No Possibly Not available Not enough No 

Existing infrastructure 

(Roads, Power, Water, 

etc.) 

Limited Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 

Energy corridor 

commitment – distance 

to gas transmission 

lines 

+30 miles +20 miles +35 miles 

Existing 

connection to 

pipeline 

12 miles 5 miles 

 Flood free zones Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 

SCORE 2 2 3 4 4 5 

Environmental Issues (15%) 

Environmentally 

sensitive species Possible Unknown Unknown No Unknown No 

Environmentally 

sensitive ecosystems Probable Possible Unknown Possible Unknown No 

Wetlands in vicinity of 

site No No No Yes No No 

 Aesthetics - View of Tanks 

Existing landscape 

quality Disturbed Disturbed Disturbed Disturbed Disturbed Disturbed 

 Degree of Visibility High High High High High High 

Number of Potential 

Viewers High High High High High High 

 Land Use Compatibility 

 With Existing Use? Yes No No Yes Yes Yes 

 With Future Use? Probably No No Yes Yes Yes 

 With Surrounding Use? Mixed Yes Yes Yes No No 

 With Recreational Use? Close 

proximity No No No No No 

Proximity to Large 

Population Yes Yes Yes Mostly yes Yes Yes 

 Fill Requirements? Yes No No Yes Yes Yes 
Appendix J – Downeast LNG Regional Site 

Selection Study Results

J-16

Table J-2 (Cont’d)

Site Number 22 23 24 25 26 27 

Site Location New London 

Harbor

New Haven 

Harbor

Quonset 

Point Coal Plant

Existing 

Keyspan 

Facility

Fuel Oil 

Terminal

Town New 

London, CT 

New Haven, 

CT Quonset, RI Brayton Point, RI 

Providence, 

RI 

East 

Providence, 

RI 

 

Surface Water 

Resources None None None None None None 

Unique/Harvested 

Vegetation No No No No No No 

Cultural Resources - 

Land None None None None None None 

 Geotechnical Suitability Good Good Good Good Good Good 

 Noise Sensitivity Medium Medium Medium Low High Medium 

 Site Contamination Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium 

SCORE 5 5 5 5 5 5 

TOTAL SCORE New London 

Harbor

New Haven 

Harbor

Quonset 

Point Coal Plant Existing Fuel Oil Terminal

 

Community 5 5 5 3 5 4 

Marine 6 6 6 6 6 9 

Land 7 7 8 9 9 10 

 

Weighted Total Score 

(Max = 10) 3.95 3.95 4.1 3.45 4.25 4.45 

 

Comparative Rank 

(n/27) = 22-T 22-T 20 23 19 17