The director of the agency confirmed that the site is being considered in response to a question Wednesday by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R, who hails from Caribou.

Collins asked Vice Adm. James D. Syring about the Missile Defense Agency’s plans for a site in Maine at a Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee hearing Wednesday.

“Yes, we are looking at the two sites in Maine in conjunction with other sites as well,” Syring responded. He then said they will assess the possible sites in the next two to three weeks.

Collins also encouraged Syring to consider to use local acceptance when basing an interceptor site. She said that Maine is very supportive of defense facilities.

The Portland Press Herald (http://bit.ly/1933AzN ) says the National Academy’s National Research Council recommended a new type of interceptor system in northern Maine or upstate New York. The Obama administration plans to conduct environmental impact reviews but is not currently obligated to build a new facility.

Loring Air Force Base in Limestone closed in 1994. Collins said the area would be receptive to new defense department investments.