MIDCOAST — Summit Natural Gas, the subsidiary of the Colorado-based Summit Utilities, Inc., that wanted to build a gas line through Belfast and down Route 1 to Rockland, investing $90 million into the venture, said March 2 that it is instead scuttling the idea.

The company decided not to pursue the expansion project after it became apparent over the few weeks that a cohesive energy vision in the Midcoast is lacking, the company said.

Summit said it needed the kind of cohesion that would allow municipalities and businesses to move in the same direction.

A Summit official said the company had been excited about the venture, and is disappointed to let the public know it is not happening.

Opponents, on the other hand, are relieved not to have natural gas piping through the Midcoast.

“In anticipation of the Rockland City Council Meeting on [Feb.] 23, we were able to help organize local residents to pack the Council meeting with 100 on the zoom call and 98 waiting in the wing,” said, Becky Layton Bartovics, who is with the Sierra Club Maine’s Council of Club Leaders/Climate Action/ Energy. “This is a testament to the effectiveness of community organizing.  NG is not a 21st Century solution to our energy needs nor will it support local community resilience, and the development of our burgeoning renewable energy businesses. This is a win for our communities.”

Reach Editorial Director Lynda Clancy at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-7806-6657