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No, by George [Editorial] — Saint Croix Courier, St. Stephen, NB
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has once again sent a clear message to Washington, telling U.S. President George W. Bush last week that Canada won't allow natural gas tankers into Head Harbour Passage — the only entryway into Passamaquoddy Bay.
BEP reopens hearing on Downeast LNG plan — The Quoddy Tides, Eastport, ME
The Maine Board of Environmental Protection will be holding another day of hearings on the proposal by Downeast LNG for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Robbinston.
The hearing will be held on Wednesday, September 19, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Holiday Inn in Augusta. (Aug 24)
Council discusses city's LNG legal costs — The Quoddy Tides, Eastport, ME
The council believes that the questions that the city is asking concerning the LNG proposals are ones that should be asked even if everyone was in favor of the projects, Schuth said. City Manager George Finch observed that the council needs to ensure the health of the community. He said the LNG companies need to pay the bills for the costs being incurred by the city. (Aug 24)
Quoddy Bay LNG replies to FERC request — The Quoddy Tides, Eastport, ME
Quoddy Bay Project Manager Brian Smith said, "The report we submitted should cover everything FERC and the Coast Guard are looking for, and most importantly, it demonstrates that operations can legally and safely proceed with or without Canadian participation in this process." (Aug 24)
Webmaster's Comments: It's interesting that Smith believes that they can operate "legally," when the sovereign government of Canada has vehemently stated that LNG tankers will not be allowed into Passamaquoddy Bay. Wouldn't that make Quoddy Bay LNG's transits illegal?
Quoddy Bay LNG made their response to FERC a "secret" filing ("secure information"); however, since Downeast LNG's publicly-filed response to FERC on the same topic is based almost totally on the false assumption that Canada will allow LNG transits into Passamaquoddy Bay, it is unlikely that Quoddy Bay LNG can do any better. It's only logical to believe that Quoddy Bay LNG can't satisfy FERC and US Coast Guard requirements regarding the waterway, resulting in a continuing stall in the FERC process for both projects.
Clatsop officials endorse LNG plan — The Daily News, Longview, WA
The planning commission went against the advice of its staff, which had recommended the county deny a host of zoning and other land use permits that NorthernStar Natural Gas needs to build a $600 million terminal at Bradwood Landing. (Aug 30)
Webmaster's Comments: The staff found all kinds of problems, and recommended against the project, but the commission voted for it. Wasted taxpayers money? Violation of public trust?
Planners deal blow to LNG opponents — The Daily Astorian, Astoria, OR
Commission rejects the advice of county staff in three split votes approving land-use requests for Bradwood Landing
"I think it's shocking they would go against the advice of their staff — not one but two county staff reports saying this doesn't comply with county law," said Brett Vandenheuvel, attorney for LNG opponent group Columbia Riverkeeper. "They've decided to throw out staff advice and gone so far as to say dredging 58 acres is minor and the largest development in Clatsop County in 20 years is small to medium."
However, county staff found the rezoning still doesn't comply with state planning goal 16, which outlines rules for protecting estuarine resources. The commission opted to grant the project an exception to that goal, despite the staff's argument that the company didn't qualify for an exception because it hadn't sufficiently explored alternative sites. (Aug 30)
EIA: June LNG imports to United States up 32% over last year — LNG Law Blog, Washington, DC
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that June 2007 LNG imports to the United States totaled 81.3 Bcf, up 32% from 61.7 Bcf in June 2006.
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PM to Bush: no tankers — Telegraph-Journal, Saint John, NB
Harper uses summit to strengthen Canada's opposition to U.S. ships using Passamaquoddy Bay as an LNG route
Harper made it clear to Bush that Canada will not let massive tankers carry liquefied natural gas through tricky Head Harbour Passage.
"This tells me it's still a front-burner issue for the prime minister," Harvey said Wednesday.
Massachusetts denies Weaver's Cove Coastal Zone Federal consistency — LNG Law Blog, Washington, DC
The Office of Coastal Zone Management for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts formally objected to Weaver's Cove LNG's federal consistency with FERC, citing a failure to receive all the necessary permits and licenses.
Connecticut blocks pipeline across Long Island Sound — Energy Legal Blog
A US District Court vindicated Connecticut´s opposition to construction of a pipeline across Long Island Sound, ruling that the US Secretary of Commerce's decision to overrule the state's opposition to the pipeline was arbitrary and capricious. (Aug 27)
Spill renews MLA’s calls for ban on coastal tanker traffic — The Northern View, BC
Coons says the risks associated with transporting goods like liquified natural gas, oil and condensate along B.C.’s coast is one that hits close to home for him following the sinking of the Queen of the North last March, which has left First Nations people in the area unable to harvest marine foods from many of their traditional gathering sites. (Aug 29)
FERC announces intent to prepare EIS for Oregon LNG proposal — LNG Law Blog, Washington, DC
On Friday, FERC announced its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Oregon LNG regasification terminal and its associated 117-mile gas pipeline. FERC also announced a schedule of public meetings on the project for the week of September 17 in Oregon. (Aug 28)
Beware Texans bearing gifts [Editorial] — The Daily Astorian, Astoria, OR
LNG developers are here to make a pile, not to make our region more livable
[T]he Federal Energy Regulatory Commission seems to be treating the siting of LNG terminals as a horse race, without regard to strategic thinking.
Siting of liquefied natural gas terminals ought to be part of a national strategy. (Aug 27)
Federal and state agencies certify Clearwater Port LNG application complete — LNG Law Blog, Washington, DC
Clearwater Port LNG, an LNG regasification terminal proposed for offshore Southern California by NorthernStar Natural Gas Inc., announced yesterday that federal and state agencies have determined that its project application is complete. (Aug 29)
Agencies complete review of offshore LNG license application — Platts [Free registration required]
We believe our innovative approach to converting an existing offshore oil platform into a safe, modern LNG receiving terminal conforms to the California Coastal Act's principle of reusing existing infrastructure," said NorthernStar CEO William Garrett. He added the project will use ambient air vaporizers "to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions." (Aug 28)
Webmaster's Comments: Offshore, safely away from the public. Also, using ambient air to warm the LNG back into a gaseous state uses eco-friendly technology, unlike Downeast LNG and Quoddy Bay LNG.
Consultant's natural gas supply report not favorable for Trinidad — LNG Law Blog, Washington, DC
Though it has not been publicly released by the government, a gas supply audit prepared for the government of Trinidad & Tobago is rumored to predict that gas production will peak in approximately nine years and begin to decline in the years following. (Aug 29)
FERC allows extended comment period for Bradwood Landing DEIS — LNG Law Blog, Washington, DC
In a letter to U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, FERC stated that it would extend the normal 45-day comment period on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Bradwood Landing LNG project to 120 days. FERC Chairman Joseph Kelliher cites "complex Endangered Species Act issues" in making his decision.
Conoco: The World has a natural gas problem — World Gas Intelligence [paid subscription required]
Summary:
ConocoPhillips Chairman and Chief Executive Jim Mulva is worried about natural gas. "I believe the world has a natural gas problem," Mulva volunteered in a recent interview with Energy Intelligence. The reserves are there, but development is lagging, prospectively leading to tight markets in not just North America, but also Asia. LNG isn't the answer for North America, Mulva says, given shrunken expectations for supply to that market. This makes the Alaska gas a matter of "national security." (Aug 29)
Report: U.S. LNG imports could be down 22% in September — LNG Law Blog, Washington, DC
Reuters (available via LexisNexis) reports that Waterborne Energy, a Houston-based consulting firm, predicts that LNG imports to the United States will be approximately 63 Bcf, down 22% from August's import volumes.
After oil supplies dry up, what's Plan B? — San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco, CA
One day, even coal will be gone. How much longer are we going to wait before we figure out how to survive without fossil fuels?
[G]rowing numbers of municipalities are initiating a process that federal and state leaders should have begun 30 years ago, when domestic oil reserves peaked. They are, in short, figuring out Plan B.
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U.S. firm pushes ahead on LNG plan — The Gazette, Montreal, QC
In documents filed last week with the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Downeast LNG explained how it plans to deal with Canada's refusal to allow tankers carrying liquid natural gas to move through Head Harbour Passage, the environmentally sensitive body of water that separates New Brunswick and Maine.
Downeast insists that Canada is already obliged to provide rescue and security measures in the passage, which is Canadian territory, and "there is no reason to believe that the Canadian authorities would not respond to an emergency arising from the transit of (an LNG tanker) in Canadian waters in the same manner and with the same procedure that has been established for other vessel traffic." (Aug 22)
Webmaster's Comments: It's clear that Downeast LNG still doesn't understand that Canada won't have any reason to "respond to an emergency arising from the transit of an LNG tanker" into Passamaquoddy Bay, since — as clearly and firmly as Canada could possibly have stated — Canada won't be allowing LNG transits. Downeast LNG's hubris shows their lack of respect for the sovereignty of Canada and of the lives and livelihoods of those living on both sides of this bay.
Meanwhile, Quoddy Bay LNG filed their their own plans (see next article) on "dealing with Canada" to the FERC docket; however, their filing's contents are "secret." Apparently, they don't want to subject their own inane FERC response to the same public scrutiny and criticism as did Downeast LNG.
Quoddy Bay files response to FERC request for further information — LNG Law Blog, Washington, DC
In response to a request by FERC, Quoddy Bay LNG yesterday submitted information regarding waterway suitability for vessels transiting Head Harbour Passage. Most of Quoddy Bay's responses are designated as "Critical Energy Infrastructure Information," and therefore not available to the public. According to a project manager, however, the company could not supply certain information due to the Canadian Government's refusal to release a report citing its objections to the use of Canadian waters by tankers accessing the terminal. [Red emphasis added.] (Aug 17)
Webmaster's Comments: In other words, Quoddy Bay LNG can't fulfill the USCG-FERC requirements.
Canada's lack of co-operation lauded as strong LNG strategy — Telegraph-Journal, Saint John, NB
…by continuing to ignore American requests for co-operation, Canada will prevent either the Coast Guard or the project proponents from resolving the issues, says Janice Harvey, of the Save Passamaquoddy Bay Alliance/Canada.
The Coast Guard said it's now up to the LNG developers, Downeast LNG and Quoddy Bay LNG, to provide the basis for Canada's objections and address them.
"It's easy to say the developers can do this," said Harvey, "but they know very well that they can't. (Jul 19)
Former Assistant Surgeon General: Quoddy Bay emergency response plan may be inadequate — LNG Law Blog, Washington, DC
In a letter to FERC in docket no. CP07-35, Rear Admiral / Assistant Surgeon General Brian W. Flynn (Ret.) provides a detailed critique of Quoddy Bay LNG's response to the protest recently filed at FERC by the City of Eastport, Maine. R.Adm. Flynn expresses concern that the emergency response plan under development by Quoddy Bay for Eastport and other communities in close proximity to its proposed terminal "will not adequately address the myriad issues necessary to protect the public's health or provide adequate health and medical care in the event of an LNG incident." (Jul 12)
Elizabeth B. Duncan: Weighing the importance of ecosystem and development [Op-ed] — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME
Five industrial entities are seeking footholds where the water meets the land around and in the Passamoquoddy Bay of Maine, two seeking to capitalize on the 28-foot tides with turbines placed in the water. Three others wanting to build unloading, storage and pipeline facilities for 900-foot-long LNG tankers that would follow a torturous path around Head Harbor on Campobello Island, Canada, across the largest whirlpools on this side of the Earth thence up the St. Croix River. The path into the unloading depots would not be the end of the massive intrusion into the natural order. Pipelines to Baileyville from Perry, Robbinston (Mill Cove) and Red Beach across Perry, Pembroke, Charlotte, the Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge (home of several endangered species) across three endangered salmon rivers would be just the beginning of the destruction of the natural order. The existing pipeline that these entities seek to tie into would have to be expanded to accommodate this increased volume of gas from Baileyville all the way to the Massachusetts border, even if only one of the three were built.
Webmaster's Comments: There are actually six industrial entities involved — Tidewalker Associates is proposing a tidal "barrage" (dam) in Half Moon Cove, within Cobscook Bay, in coastal waters within the Sipayik, Perry, and Eastport communities. During a recent presentation in Eastport by the three electricity-generating proposals, when asked if their projects would impact the fisheries, the Tidewalker Associates representative responded by saying, "No." When his answer was challenged by the event coordinator, the director of Cobscook Bay Resource Center, the Tidewalker representative indicated that he didn't consider the clam flats that would be flooded by his proposed project to be a "fishery."
Bridge work goes on and on — The Boston Globe, Boston, MA
Soon after the bridge was saved, Weaver's Cove found a way around it: Sending smaller tankers up the river more frequently. The US Coast Guard reconsidered its position and suggested that it might not permit the LNG project.
State denies dredging plan for Weaver's Cove LNG site — The Jamestown Press, Jamestown, RI
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) last week rejected the proposal of Weaver's Cove and Hess to dredge Mount Hope Bay to enable its tankers to reach its proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Fall River, Mass.
It is the third major block in recent months to the terminal plans, with the U.S. Coast Guard and the state of Massachusetts putting holds on the LNG plans pending final decisions. (Aug 23)
State hires new lawyer for LNG suit — Bridgeton News, Bridgeton, NJ
TRENTON -- New Jersey has hired outside counsel to argue the U.S. Supreme Court case against Delaware which will decide the fate of BP's proposal to build a $600 million liquefied natural gas facility in Gloucester County.
Importantly, New Jersey officials have pointed out, the court also recognized the 1905 compact. In recommendations issued to the high court in April, U.S. Supreme Court Special Master Ralph I. Lancaster Jr. concluded that under the compact, Delaware has regulatory rights over New Jersey projects which extend over the border, holding that it can authorize police powers in its own state. However, New Jersey argues it has exclusive rights of construction and regulation on its side of the river. (Aug 14)
Offshore gas terminal no threat, expert says — The Tampa Tribune, Tampa, FL
TAMPA — A proposal to build an offshore terminal for unloading liquefied natural gas 28 miles southwest of the Tampa Bay area would not pose a threat to people onshore, an LNG expert said Tuesday.
LNG terminals should be at least three miles from densely populated areas, said Jerry Havens, a chemical engineering professor at the University of Arkansas who has studied LNG safety issues for 30 years.
"There is not any event that I can imagine that could occur that far offshore that could affect anybody onshore," Havens said. (Jun 27)
Webmaster's Comments: Unlike the Downeast LNG and Quoddy Bay LNG proposals, well-offshore LNG import facilities are safely away from the public. They also are less expensive, are easier to secure from terrorists, and expansion of offshore facilities is easier, since offshore facilities are not bounded by abutting property owners.
U.S. LNG import capacity on verge of doubling — Reuters
FREEPORT, Texas, Aug 24 (Reuters) — The United States' first new onshore LNG terminal in 25 years is nearly finished, and when it begins operation early next year will lead a parade of start-ups over the next 18 months that will double U.S. natural gas import capacity.
…it will the first of a new round of onshore terminals, which have taken longer because they are bigger, more costly, and many communities oppose having them as neighbors. [Bold and red emphsis added.] (Aug 24)
Webmaster's Comments: According to this Reuters report, LNG developers can save money and time, and avoid community opposition by building offshore terminals — safely away from the public.
Garcia reports LNG document ready for public viewing — The Port Lavaca Wave, Port Lavaca, TX
The final Environmental Impact Statement for Calhoun LNG is ready for public viewing, Rafael Garcia, Calhoun LNG executive vice president of asset development, told the Calhoun County Port Authority Wednesday morning. Garcia said the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission made the final EIS available to the public on Friday, Aug. 10. (Aug 14)
NorthernStar predicts LNG would stay in region — The Daily News, Longview, WA
Critics of the project claim the majority of gas will go to California, and one of them called the new study "black magic." (Aug 17)
LNG projects invite skepticism [Editorial] — The Oregonian, Portland, OR
Troubling questions surround the safety and global environmental impact of producing, shipping and storing liquefied natural gas, known as LNG.
The impact of these projects on livability in communities such as Astoria, Coos Bay and North Bend would be major. The benefits, in contrast, appear minor: a few dozen jobs and the promise -- not a guarantee -- of lower natural gas rates.
Then there are the safety concerns. In his book "Against All Enemies," Richard Clarke, America's former top counterterrorism official, identified LNG tankers and terminals as prime terrorist targets. He and other experts warn that each ship, holding as much energy as a nuclear weapon, could produce a fire three miles wide, or worse.
Both delegations should … be challenging the idea of rushing to make the nation more dependent on foreign natural gas, right on the heels of an energy bill seeking to make America less dependent on foreign oil. [Red emphasis added.] (Aug 26)
Westcoast Climate Convergence takes on dirty energy companies — It's Getting Hot In Here, itsgettinghotinhere.org
The event culminated with direct actions targeting dirty energy companies and LNG proposals in the Pacific Northwest. (Aug 15)
Garamendi believes LNG has a minor place [Opinion] — Ventura County Star, Ventura, CA
Maybe LNG does have a place, but not much of a place and only under strict environmental regulation, suggests Garamendi, whose commission can veto any project using state lands, including tidelands everywhere along the coast.
One big reason Garamendi and fellow Democrat John Chiang, the state controller who also sits on the Lands Commission, nixed the Ventura County project was that there is no reliable forecast indicating any impending shortages of natural gas, either in California or anywhere in America.
In fact, a vast surplus would result if a putative $7 billion pipeline backed by leading Alaskan state officials were built to bring Alaskan gas to the upper Midwest.
So look out, LNG companies, there's a new economic cop on the beat, one determined not only to protect the environment, but also guard consumers from the additional cost always associated with LNG, whose infrastructure costs would surely be passed on to gas customers. [Red and bold emphasis added.]
State official: California not anti-LNG — LNG Law Blog, Washington, DC
Claudia Chandler, assistant executive director of the California Energy Commission, tells Natural Gas Week (carried via Energy Intelligence) that despite the rejection of several LNG projects proposed for California, other proposals are under consideration. Chandler said, "[T]he projects have to be done in a way that is consistent with our environmental laws. If not, that is when a project will run aground." [Subscription required]
Malibu Connections [Editorial] — Malibu Surfside News, Malibu, CA
It will not suffice to determine the potential impact of a proposal on Malibuites (the backyard issues), but we must question how it impacts the populations and eco systems that are directly affected.
When projects are stopped in their tracks, the giants pay attention. But we have to be certain they understand why. (Aug 16)
Powerful storms hit gulf LNG terminals, but no major damage — LNG Law Blog, Washington, DC
Hurricane Dean hit Altamira LNG terminal, located south of Tampico, Mexico, last week but failed to cause any significant damage. The storm, rated at Category 2 when it reached Altamira LNG, is the latest storm to hit an LNG regasification terminal in the Gulf of Mexico, but so far all the terminals have emerged largely undamaged. Natural Gas Week (carried via Energy Intelligence) has further details. [Subscription required]
CNN Classroom Edition: We were warned: Edge of disaster — CNN Living
For what is liquified natural gas (LNG) used? What makes Boston particularly susceptible to an LNG tanker attack? According to the report, how might an attack on an LNG tanker impact the people of Boston? What steps have Boston officials taken to prevent an LNG tanker attack? What do city officials suggest is the best way to prevent such an attack from happening?
CNN's Anderson Cooper ends the program with the following statement: "The goal of the CNN Special Investigations report was not to frighten, but to try and enlighten. (Aug 15)
Gazprom eyes US LNG market — Oil & Gas Eurasia, Moskow, Russia
Gazprom could soon become a key LNG supplier to the US as it is reportedly considering an offer from BP to gain control over a stake in its Atlantic LNG project based in Trinidad and Tobago, a major LNG supplier to the US. (Jul 2007)
Webmaster's Comments: Does anyone in the US Government believe that this is a good idea?
NATS: World events will likely slow U.S. LNG imports — LNG Law Blog, Washington, DC
…world events including the nuclear accident in Japan, storage tank problems in Korea, and the shutdown of the CATS pipeline in the U.K. may tighten the global LNG market and slow down U.S. LNG imports. (Jul 19)
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Saint John fishermen concerned about LNG terminal traffic — CBC News
Fishermen claim they are already experiencing problems linked to the building of the $750-million Canaport LNG terminal at Mispec Point, where Emera Inc. plans to invest approximately $350 million in a proposed 145-kilometre natural gas pipeline.
Rechia said fishermen are losing time and money sailing around an exclusion zone at the LNG terminal and that ship traffic has cut lines to lobster traps. She said a resource management committee composed of all levels of government, the fishermen, and representatives from industry might allow the energy projects and the fishermen to co-exist better. (Aug 21)
Webmaster's Comments: Fishermen are already experiencing economic hardship — and the LNG terminal isn't even completed.
Executives change at firm building offshore LNG terminal — Gloucester Daily Times, Gloucester, MA
Eisbrenner took a job as executive vice president of Royal Dutch Shell, an international energy company based in The Hague, the Netherlands, to manage its liquefied natural gas projects. (Aug 20)
Webmaster's Comments: Hopefully, Eisbrenner's move from Excelerate to Royal Dutch Shell will result in Eisbrenner influence on Shell, rather than the other way around. Excelerate, under Eisbrenner's leadership, developed the submerged buoy system for LNG importing, providing an elegant method for offshore LNG importing. Royal Dutch Shell is infamous for its lack of regard for the environment.
Man made island for LNG terminal reaches regulatory milestone — BYM Marine & Maritime News, Gibraltar
Atlantic Sea Island Group, LLC has announced that they have received notification from the United States Coast Guard that their application to create an LNG deepwater terminal on a 60.5 acres constructed island 13.5 approximate miles south of Long Beach, Long Island, has been deemed "complete" and allows the regulatory, oversight and review process to continue pursuant to federal regulations. (Aug 20)
Webmaster's Comments: Another offshore LNG terminal, 13.5 miles safely away from people.
Safe Harbor Energy: Man-made island proposed for LNG terminal out in the Atlantic reaches key regulatory milestone [Press release] — PR Newswire, Yahoo Finance
Far from population centers and outside of vital shipping lanes, Safe Harbor Energy will have the capacity to deliver 2 billion cubic feet of natural gas each day to 65 million consumers, ending the area's dependence on natural gas shipped up from the Gulf Coast some 1,200 miles away. [Bold red emphasis added.] (Aug 17)
MCTA endorses Weaver's Cove LNG project — Energy Current, Houston, TX
USA: The Massachusetts Chemistry & Technology Alliance (MCTA) endorsed the Weaver's Cove liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, saying the project is necessary to generate economic development in New England.
"Unfortunately, Massachusetts policy makers have failed to address the resulting high costs of natural gas associated with the increased demand. In addition, policy makers have failed to promote long-term solutions to the coming energy crisis resulting from the increased usage of natural gas as an energy source," MCTA stated in a letter the group filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission this month. (Aug 22)
Webmaster's Comments: The MCTA seems to have a disconnect between their views and reality. Natural gas demands for New England will be satisfied by the two LNG terminals offshore from Gloucester, MA, and the Canaport facility now under construction in Saint John, NB. Imported LNG doesn't necessarily make natural gas prices lower, since the US is in competition with other countries for limited LNG supplies, and the US must frequently pay higher transportation costs, due to the distances from the source.
LNG projects dwindle to two — The Times-Picayune, New Orleans, LA
At one point, more than a half dozen terminals were proposed to handle imported liquefied natural gas coming into the Gulf of Mexico.
Energy experts said the ports were needed to meet the growing demand for natural gas in the United States, a demand the nation's own supply can't meet. [Red emphasis added.] (Aug 18)
Webmaster's Comments: Apparently the "energy experts" were feeding the public "hooey." Why should we think they're any different, now?
Big pipeline meet draws friend, foe and curious — News-Register, McMinnville, OR
The proposed Palomar line is the joint project of two companies - TransCanada, which operates the GTN pipeline through Oregon, and Portland-based NW Natural, which serves 578,000 customers in the state.
The other has been proposed by Oregon LNG, which has financial backing from a Wall Street investment firm.
Both pipes are similar in that both hinge on the fate of two proposed liquefied natural gas ports on the Columbia River near Astoria. (Aug 23)
FERC says LNG plant poses little danger — The Daily News, Longview, OR
"Our main concern is what it's going to do to shipping," Takko said Friday. "It seems a little unreasonable when I think that there are probably locations that could have been closer to the ocean. ... Why bring it that far inland?" (Aug 17)
Latest county staff report reaffirms opposition to LNG plant — The Daily Astorian, Astoria, OR
…after analyzing all the evidence presented during the commission's public hearing process, Bradwood Landing ultimately did not adequately address all of the deficiencies and ultimately does not satisfy the criteria to grant a zone change to build a liquefied natural gas marine terminal and related facilities at the former mill site, leading staff to reiterate its recommendation for denial. (Aug 23)
Pipeline battle hinges on need, livability — The Oregonian, Portlan, OR
Since late June, they have received a series of letters from not one, but two companies that are competing to build high-capacity pipelines to serve proposed terminals near Astoria and Westport. According to those letters, both potentially require rights of way through a 30-acre swath where the Wicks planned to plant grapes. (Aug 21)
State assesses need for LNG — Santa Barbara Independent, Santa Barbara, CA
The California Energy Commission released a report last week examining the state’s perceived need for liquified natural gas (LNG). During planning for a now-nixed LNG terminal in the Santa Barbara Channel earlier this year, officials debated whether additional LNG sources were needed. The report estimates that the Pacific Coast will consume 1.15 billion cubic feet of LNG daily by 2010. (Aug 23)
PG&E helps to clean Port of Oakland with breakthrough LNG cold ironing technology — Earth Times, London, UK
Cold ironing is a process where ships shut off their diesel-powered engines and use shore-based power for their electrical needs, preventing and/or significantly reducing harmful emissions during each port visit. Mobile LNG cold ironing, a concept originally developed by Wittmar Engineering in 2001, provides even greater environmental and cost benefits by offering quick connection to a significantly cleaner fuel source and precluding the need for installation of permanent infrastructure. (Aug 22)
Scientists: LNG carbon emissions could exceed emissions from advanced coal plants — LNG Law Blog, Washington, DC
Researchers with Carnegie Mellon University will release an article in Environmental Science and Technology next week calculating that the total lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions from an LNG-fired power plant could exceed the emissions from an advanced coal power plant by up to 35%. [Red emphasis added.]
US gas prices could drop below $5 without storm outages: analyst — Platts [Registration required]
Barring a significant hurricane-related supply disruption in the Gulf of Mexico, US natural gas prices could sink below $5/MMBtu in September or October, Strategic Energy and Economic Research said Tuesday. (Aug 21)
Union official: Make Trinidadian gas audit report public — LNG Law Blog, Washington, DC
Errol Mc Leod, president general of the Oilfields Workers' Trade Union, has called on the government of Trinidad and Tobago to release publicly a natural gas market audit, which he believes has concluded that the Caribbean nation may only have approximately 12 years of gas reserves remaining. [Red emphasis added.]
Update 1—BP offers Gazprom Trinidad LNG for global venture — Reuters UK
MOSCOW, Aug 23 (Reuters) — BP Plc has offered to contribute part of its liquefied natural gas business in Trinidad and Tobago to its global venture with Russian gas monopoly Gazprom, a newspaper reported on Thursday. [Red emphasis added.] (Aug 23)
Webmaster's Comments: Is it in the best interest of the USA to rely on a Russian-owned company to supply most of its imported natural gas?
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BEP to hold hearing on Quoddy Bay plan — The Quoddy Tides, Eastport, ME
The decision for the board to assume jurisdiction allows for a more public review of the project than a staff review by the Department of Environmental Protection would have allowed. The board is now asking for those who would like to be intervenors in the hearings to file a petition with the board. Any individual, government entity, corporation, or organization that desires to participate as an intervenor must submit a petition to intervene by August 31. Petitions should be addressed to: Virginia Plummer, chair, Board of Environmental Protection, 17 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333. They may be faxed to (207) 287-2814 if followed by receipt of the original document within five working days. Questions about the petitions should be directed to Cynthia Bertocci at (207) 287-2452. The board may consider the petitions to intervene at a meeting tentatively scheduled for September 20. (Aug 10)
LNG proposal a threat to quality of life, retired teacher says — Saint Croix Courier, St. Stephen, NB
"It is the abomination of desolation that creates division, distrust and hurt to an international community, to families, friends and neighbours who have lived in peace these past 400 years. It brings a mushroom cloud of fear to every child who picks up a newspaper or hears conversations among their elders.
Cline said the LNG terminal proposals for Passamaquoddy Bay are a threat to the quality of life that is the right and privilege of every person living here. (Aug 14)
Basket sales aid LNG fight — Saint Croix Courier, St. Stephen, NB
Save Passamaquoddy Bay is selling hand-crafted herring scale baskets as a fundraiser to help with legal costs in their fight against three proposed liquefied natural gas terminals in the bay. (Aug 9)
Trinidad LNG serves warning: Perry resident — Saint Croix Courier, St. Stephen, NB
"What I found was disturbing and is a lesson for our local leaders, the environment, and the economic development of Washington County," Kendall said.
"Jobs have not been created as a result — only jobs have been lost due to the decrease in fishing and loss of tourism. The waste, fuel spills and pollution collecting on the shores is harmful and everyone knows it," Kendall said. (Aug 14)
- The human factor: Why another Exxon Valdez could happen — Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Seattle, WA
- Even best-built tankers have had problems
At least one engineer worked 22 hours straight -- a violation of federal work limits instituted after the Exxon Valdez, though there are exceptions in an emergency.
One seaman reported that when he was called to help around 5:30 a.m., the other engineers were "red-eyed, goofy and incoherent."
Then the ship was rocked by an explosion.
The Coast Guard knew nothing of the episode when the Seattle Post-Intelligencer repeatedly inquired about it. Apparently neither the tanker's officers nor its owner reported it. (2005 Mar 24)
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Mayors asked to back LNG opponents — Telegraph-Journal, Saint John, NB
ST. ANDREWS — Mayor John Craig is asking the other mayors in Charlotte County to put their money where their mouths are and help fund the anti-LNG group Save the Passamaquoddy Bay.
"St. Andrews is the tourism mecca of New Brunswick and people come here to get away from industry, pollution and terrorist threats. They come here to see the scenery, they don't want to see smoke stacks of big tankers. You can't mix tourism and industry together." (Aug 8)
LNG company funding whale detection system — The Gloucester Daily Times, Gloucester, MA
Six buoys, each of which has a microphone tied to it 50 feet below the surface and an antenna to transmit data and sound, surround the construction site of one liquefied natural gas terminal 13 miles southeast of Gloucester. Excelerate Energy LLC, based in The Woodlands, Texas, is building the Northeast Gateway Energy Bridge and paid for the whale monitoring system as part of a mitigation package the state ordered when approving the terminals.
Port plan would change Coos Bay — Mail Tribune, Medford, OR
"Some people make the assumption that the channel deepening is related to the LNG terminal," he said. "It is not." (Aug 12)
Webmaster's Comments: The narrow, winding Coos Bay port, near people — like the Downeast LNG and Quoddy Bay LNG proposals — appears to violate the SIGTTO world-class LNG industry best practices standards for LNG terminal siting.
House bill provides training for ‘Green Collar’ jobs — PetroleumNews.com
On Aug. 4 the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Green Jobs Act of 2007, legislation introduced by Congresswoman Hilda L. Solis, D-Calif., to help train American workers for jobs in the renewable energy and energy-efficiency industries. These industries are seen as key to U.S. and world efforts to combat global warming. (Week of Aug 12)
Natural gas in T&T declining — Trinidad & Tobago Express
The audit which conducted by the Houston-based firm, Ryder Scott, showed that based on the present rate of production of 3.9 tcf and a projected rate of 4.5 tcf, there would be enough gas supplies to last until 2019. (Aug 12)
Webmaster's Comments: That's just 12 years' worth of gas before Trinidad & Tobago runs out. Since Quoddy Bay LNG says their supply would likely come from Trinidad & Tobago, where would they get their supply after 2019? Algeria? Nigeria? Russia?
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R.I. decision a setback for LNG terminal — AP, Worcester Telegram & Gazette News, Worcester, MA
PROVIDENCE — A plan to build a liquefied natural gas terminal in Fall River, Mass., suffered a setback yesterday when environmental regulators rejected a proposal to dredge Mount Hope Bay.
LNG operator's dredging request denied — Boston Globe, Boston, MA
The decision by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management marks the second time a state government has hampered a plan by Weaver's Cove Energy and Hess LNG to build a terminal on the Taunton River.
DEM officials also complained that Weaver's Cove never responded to a U.S. Coast Guard report that questioned whether the company could safely steer 85-foot-wide tankers through a bridge with a 98-foot navigational opening. (Aug 10)
Second company granted key permits for gas terminal — Gloucester Daily Times, Gloucester, MA
Suez Energy North America received the last few state permits it needs to begin construction on its deepwater liquefied natural gas port proposed about 10 miles southeast of Gloucester, company executives said yesterday.
Excelerate Energy LLC, which proposed a similar liquefied natural gas system about 13 miles southeast of Gloucester, is building its 16-mile connection pipeline and buoy system, which is expected to begin operating by December. (Aug 10)
Webmaster's Comments: TWO offshore LNG terminals near Boston, away from people, safer technology, and close to the market, mooting the Downeast LNG and Quoddy Bay LNG projects.
LNG plant gets environmental ok — AP, Forbes
The Federal Energy Regulatory commission's staff said Friday that the terminal, which would accommodate about 120 ships annually, would not pose a detrimental environmental impact, partly because it is to be built in an industrial area.
A partnership known as Calhoun LNG L.P. wants to build the terminal in Port Lavaca, Texas, about 130 miles southwest of Houston. (Aug 10)
Webmaster's Comments: Offshore, away from people, safer technology.
US FERC staff advances Gulf Coast pipeline, Texas LNG terminal — Platts
US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission staff on Friday advanced two Gulf Coast gas projects -- the Southeast Supply Header and the Calhoun Point Comfort liquefied natural gas terminal -- by issuing favorable environmental impact statements for both. (Aug 10)
Rockies Express alone won't solve US Northeast gas crunch: Bentek — Platts
"To get Rockies gas into this tight market, additional pipeline capacity to markets in the Mid-Atlantic, New York and New England areas must be built."
The long-delayed Millennium Pipeline, a 182-mile, 500,000 Mcf/d line from Corning to Ramapo, New York, began construction in late June and is expected to go into service in 2009. Bentek said that system should bring much-needed Canadian gas to the New York City area.
Once in service late this year, Time II will bring up to 150,000 Mcf/d into the New Jersey area, Bentek noted. (Aug 10)
B.C. making gains in natural gas production — Financial Post, Dons Mills, ON
The board notes North American gas prices have dropped since they were artificially inflated by supply cuts arising from hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico in 2005. But it suggests that a recovery of the U.S. economy and increases in domestic demand in Canada will push the price from an average $6.50 per gigajoule in 2006 to $8.40 by 2011 — moving producers' profits higher despite a drop in the actual volume of gas produced. (Aug 10)
Analysts predict fewer LNG cargos to arrive in the United States this month — LNG Law Blog, Washington, DC
Platts LNG Daily reports that a total of 47.22 Bcf of LNG is scheduled to arrive in the United States between August 1 and August 18. This trend represents a 23% decline in LNG arrivals compared with 61.57 Bcf that arrived in the first half of July. (Aug 10)
NATS: Record high planned sendout for August 9 — LNG Law Blog, Washington, DC
NATS data show that the planned sendout for today, August 9, will be a record at just below 4 bcf for the day. (Aug 9)
Report: U.S. LNG imports likely to slow in short-term — LNG Law Blog, Washington, DC
Despite strong growth in LNG imports during the first half of 2007, a Jefferies & Co. report predicts that fewer LNG cargos will be delivered to the U.S. market over the next six months, according to Platts LNG Daily. The report cites increased demand from Europe and Japan, as well as large storage supplies in the United States, as reasons for the slowdown in LNG receipts. (Aug 9)
Gas not running out — Trinidad & Tobago's Newsday, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
… it is crucial that TT find more gas to go beyond the 2019 projection, Saith admitted.
“This means that we’ve been using more gas than we have been bringing on stream and available from the various regions that we have."
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Large group gathers to protest Passamaquoddy Bay LNG proposals — LNG Law Blog, Washington, DC
CBC News reports that approximately 1,000 people gathered yesterday in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, to protest the three LNG regasification projects proposed for Passamaquoddy Bay.
Many states fail Governors' disclosures survey — The Center for Public Integrity, Washington, DC
WASHINGTON, July 19, 2007 — Twenty-one states failed to make basic information about the private financial interests of their governors available to the public, according to a six-month survey of state disclosure laws by the Center for Public Integrity. Four of those — Idaho, Michigan, Utah and Vermont — did not require governors to file financial disclosure reports at all.
The survey found that in six states authorities do not have the power to audit financial disclosure statements for completeness and accuracy. These are Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Maine, Nevada and Wyoming. Ten states do not conduct even informal reviews to ensure that disclosure statements are complete. (Jul 19)
FERC issues final EIS for Elba Island LNG expansion — LNG Express, Houston, TX
Elba Island LNG's final environmental impact statement (FEIS) was released by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on Aug. 3, 2007. … The report findings pave the way for Elba Island LNG's terminal expansion that is scheduled to double its total receiving capacity by 2012.
U.S. EIA predicts decline in LNG imports — LNG Law Blog, Washington, DC
In its Short-Term Energy Outlook released yesterday, the EIA predicts that LNG imports will decline over the rest of the year due to falling prices in the U.S. market relative to price levels in Europe and Asia. However, the EIA still expects LNG import levels to reach a record-high 850 Bcf for 2007.
Marine accident brief: Grounding due to docking pilot error — MAB0702.pdf — US National Transportation Safety Board, Washington, DC
(Link will download a 900 KB PDF file.)
When the New Delhi Express entered the Kill Van Kull, the bridge team consisted of the two pilots, the master (who maintained overall command of and responsibility for the vessel 15), the second mate, and the helmsman.
A review of the data, however, revealed that buoy 14 was positioned in only 28 feet of water, whereas it had been intended to be placed in 50 feet of water, to mark the northern edge of the navigable channel. Further review indicated that the position data might be erroneous.
…old data had erroneously been entered into the Coast Guard’s database on aids to navigation, and that the buoy was then deployed by the Coast Guard buoy tender in the wrong position. Subsequent position checks would also have been compromised by the erroneous database.
The Safety Board’s investigation indicates that effective bridge resource management was not practiced in the events leading up to the grounding of the New Delhi Express. (PDF, 900 KB ; May 30)
Webmaster's Comments: The above report demonstrates that — even with two trained and seasoned pilots, the ship's master, the second mate, and the helmsman on the bridge; a ship with bow thrusters and escorted by three tugs; and with radar on board and navigational aids in the water — errors will still occur, ships will still go aground, and hulls will still get ripped open. Human error will still occur and accidents will still happen.
US Coast Guard safety programme “almost invisible” — Maritime Global Net, Bristol, RI
Today, the Officer in Charge of Marine Inspection could be a person with no marine safety background at all. In fact, it could be a helicopter pilot that signs the Certificate of Inspection on the vessel that takes you on a cruise to Mount Vernon just down the Potomac River. Yet, we would not think it sensible to allow a ship captain to sign-off on an airworthiness certificate for a 747,” [said Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Jim Oberstar]. (Aug 6)
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