Filed By: LNG ENGINEERING [FERC]
Filed Date: 3/1/2012
Accession No: 20120301-0016
Description: Meeting Summary dated 2/23/12 re the LNG Engineering Conference Call for the Downeast Project under CP07-52.

Summary: This summarizes a 2012 Feb 23 conference-call meeting between FERC staff and Downeast LNG consultant Arthur Ransome of CH-IV International. The meeting was regarding FERC's 2012 Jan 31 13-question engineering information request. This filing addresses Question 2 and Question 9 of the 2012 Jan 31 information request.

Question 2 was regarding vapor dispersion and inconsistencies between CFR 193.2059 and NFPA 59A, and provides a method to resolve that inconsistency. Plus, Downeast LNG proposes LNG piping that is 10-times longer than typically used in calculating failure rates, concluding that DeLNG should use a 33% larger hole in the pipe in calculating vapor dispersion.

Question 9 was about FLACS "wind" and "nozzle" boundary scenarios. FERC determined that the boundary conditions used by DeLNG were appropriate, mooting this question.

It appears that of the original 13 questions, since Question 9 has been mooted, that 12 questions remain unanswered.

Information: FILE LIST

Filed By: Save Passamaquoddy Bay
Filed Date: 3/14/2012
Accession No: 20120314-5067
Description: Save Passamaquoddy Bay refutes Downeast LNG claims of project need, demonstrates Downeast LNG's inability to receive LNG, requests FERC deny permit, under CP07-52-000, et. al.

Summary: Contrary to Downeast LNG's claims that New England is "gas starved," SPB provides data from the Energy Information Administration demonstrating that there is no inability — or even undue difficulty — in expanding natural gas pipeline infrastructure in New England or the Northeast. In fact, there are currently 28 new pipeline and pipeline expansion projects currently at play in the Northeast. Further, the three new LNG import terminals serving New England — Canaport LNG, Norteast Gateway Deepwater Port, and Neptune LNG — are either nearly idle or are operating at a small percentage of capacity. Dominion Cove Point LNG in Maryland nearly went out of service in 2011 due to lack of use, and is now intending to export LNG supplied by natural gas from the multi-state, prolific Marcellus Shale field in nearby Pennsylvania.

SPB points out that the US Coast Guard requires Downeast LNG to obtain Government of Canada cooperation and coordination for safe and secure LNG ship transits through both Canadian and US waters when arriving and departing the terminal. Since no treaty — including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) — requires Canada to provide what the Coast Guard requires Downeast LNG to obtain, and since Canada has resolutely indicated it will take every legal measure to prevent LNG transits in Passamaquoddy Bay, it is impossible for Downeast LNG to obtain LNG.

SPB points out that FERC's policy considering LNG import terminals to be in the public interest no longer is valid, and requests that FERC abandon that policy.

Since Downeast LNG cannot receive LNG, and since the project is not needed or in the public interest, SPB requests that FERC deny Downeast LNG's FERC permits.

Information: FILE LIST

Filed By: Save Passamaquoddy Bay
Filed Date: 3/16/2012
Accession No: 20120316-5043
Description: Save Passamaquoddy Bay provides supplemental information to its March 14 filing, demonstrating domestic natural gas pipeline expansion to New England is readily possible to meet demand, contrary to Downeast LNG claims, under CP07-52-000, et. al.

Summary: This is a supplement to SPB's 2012 Mar 14 filing. The 2012 Jan 18 issue of Gas Daily includes an announcement that Spectra Energy is expanding natural gas pipeline access from the vast, prolific Marcellus Shale field in Pennsylvania to the Boston-area market, mooting Downeast LNG's argument that the LNG project is necessary because the region is "starving for natural gas."

Information: FILE LIST

Filed By: LNG ENGINEERING [FERC]
Filed Date: 3/15/2012
Accession No: 20120322-0020
Description: Meeting Summary of the LNG Engineering Conference Call for the Downeast Project under CP07-52.

Summary: A conference call was made to correct "the transfer line diameter and corresponding failure stated in the February 23, 2012 conference call minutes." DeLNG proposes to use a 36-inch-diameter line, not a 26-inch-diameter line as previously indicated. The same failure rates would apply.

Information: FILE LIST