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"For much of the state of Maine, the environment is the economy"                                            — US Senator Susan Collins, 2012 Jun 21

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Top

30 December 2005

FERC files a response [Letter to the editor] — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME

Dick Hoyt's Dec. 28 op-ed about the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and liquefied natural gas is so full of factual errors and wild-eyed conjecture that it begs a response. [NOTE: As typical with Bangor Daily News letters to the editor, the online page contains no link to take you directly to a particular letter, the text contains inappropriate line endings and line spaces, and most letter's headlines are undistinguishable from the body text. To find the letter using the above link, search the page for "FERC files a response".]

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: Bryan Lee, director of the FERC Press Service, is correct regarding most of the letter writer's errors (we pointed out the errors that we were aware of on Dec 28); however, Lee himself errs by indicating that Hoyt was incorrect regarding appeal to the President or Congress: by act of Congress, FERC's decisions cannot be appealed to the President or Congress, although Lee is correct in that such decisions can be appealed in the courts.]

LNG developer, Perry group agree on funding package — Quoddy Tides, Eastport, ME

The three tanks would be located between the Old Eastport Road and the Cannon Hill Road on an approximately 170-acre parcel, for which Quoddy Bay has a purchase option. Any change of use of the land would have to be approved by the Perry Planning Board. (Dec 23)

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: One doesn't need to be a rocket scientist to realize that Quoddy Bay LLC's will never overcome all the obstacles to their "Wizard of Oz" project.]

LNG company pushes ahead — Saint Croix Courier, St. Stephen, NB

In an information pamphlet that has been circulated in Charlotte County, the company [Downeast LNG] notes that the physical structures associated with their site represent a small scale model LNG import terminal and include a 3,800 to 4,000 foot pier with mounting dolphins for an LNG ship, a loading platform on the pier, one full containment LNG storage tank, a closed-loop regasification unit (this system regasifies LNG without using sea water), small support buildings and an access road.

The company say they believe that by working in partnership with the whole community, openly sharing information and listening to the concerns and interests of all stakeholders, they can make this a landmark project that benefits the entire region.

"We have heard from fishermen, tour operators, ferry services, salmon growers, and many others in both the U.S. and Canada, and we welcome the opportunity to hear your concerns and discuss ways to ensure that our operations do not adversely affect existing or future business operations or community interests."

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: They believe in "working in partnership with the whole community"? —Like ignoring a "No" vote, as Dean Girdis says they will do if that happens in Robbinston? Downeast LNG "needs more education," since their communications from fishermen, tour operators, etc., didn't tell them loudly enough to slink back home.]

Quoddy Bay LNG proposal filed with FERC — Quoddy Tides, Eastport, ME

On December 16 Quoddy Bay also requested that FERC initiate a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review. In the request, Quoddy Bay says approximately 180 ships per year are anticipated to call on the terminal. (Dec 23)

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: That's one ship every day coming or going, to or from Passamaquoddy Bay.]

State forms LNG technical working group — Quoddy Tides, Eastport, ME

Maine departments represented by the various agencies include the Maine Emergency Management Agency, the State Fire Marshall, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Conservation, the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, the Department of Transportation, the State Planning Office and the Maine Historic Preservation Commission. (Dec 23)

Irving Oil, Repsol retain Linklaters on LNG project — Telegraph-Journal, Saint John, NB

Canaport LNG is expected to deliver one billion cubic feet per day of re-gassified LNG to eastern Canada and New England.

St. Helens leaders set to secure land for LNG plant — Daily Astorian, Astoria, OR

A dispute over a parcel of land essential to a liquefied natural gas development will soon be settled with a lease between the Port of St. Helens and the property owners, who had been unwilling to sell or lease the land.

“Acquisition of this site, which has zero residents, was in the interest of the community,” he said. “We also think that if you look at all the (proposed LNG facility) sites on the river, that Port Westward appears to be the best site because of its connectivity to the interstate gas lines, and the current development near the site.”

In a staff report to the port commission, he made two recommendations: that the port either acquire the Thompsons’ property through negotiations, or if negotiations failed, the port should move to condemn the land. The family then approached the port to negotiate for the lease of the land. [Bold emphasis added.]

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: Isn't that kind of tactic called "coercion"?]

Strong Words ... CPUC Calls Proposed Port LNG Site "One Of The Worst Possible Sites Imaginable" — Long Beach Report, Long Beach, CA

CPUC [California Public Utility Commission] called the Port of LB site proposed for the 80+ million gallon LNG facility "one of the worst possible sites imaginable" and included new testimony from LNG expert Dr. Jerry Havens indicating that in a worst case scenario, a flammable LNG cloud could travel up to 6.5 miles, potentially igniting sources at shorter distances and triggering cascading damages. (Dec 12)

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29 December 2005

LNG firm presents Robbinston plans: Officials say vote not last word on project — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME

[A] majority "no" vote won't actually stop the project, developers and project proponents said this week.

"That would just tell us that we have more educational work to do," Dean Girdis, president of Downeast LNG, a Washington, D.C., firm, said Tuesday.

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: Using almost the exact words as Don Smith of Quoddy Bay LLC when the Town of Perry voted down Smith's project — Girdis, too, shows that he doesn't really care what the local community thinks!]

Deadline extended for LNG comment — Newport Daily News, Newport, RI

During the Bristol hearing, more than 30 people testified against the proposal, saying dredging would further pollute the bay and seriously affect fish populations. Many complained that these impacts would be borne by local residents to increase profits for a large corporation.

State officials from both Massachusetts and Rhode Island have appealed the siting approval for the Weaver's Cove plan but the federal energy commission has not decided whether to reconsider its approval.

LNG application drawing opposition — CBC New Brunswick

Federal Conservative Leader Stephen Harper has voiced his opposition to the use of the sea passage by the tankers. The Conservative MP for New Brunswick Southwest, Greg Thompson, has also been lobbying the government to deny Americans access to the channel. (Dec 28)

Radical Islam and LNG in Trinidad and Tobago — Energy Security, Institute for the Analysis of Global Security, Washington, DC

Congressional testimony of Major General Gary D. Speer, Acting Commander in Chief U.S. Southern Command to the House Appropriations Committee on International Relations, Subcommittee on Foreign Operations in April 2002 stated: "The recent bombing outside the U.S Embassy in Peru preceding President Bush's visit is indicative that other domestic terrorist groups pose threats to the United States elsewhere in the hemisphere. These include, but are not limited to, the Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path) and Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA) in Peru and the Jama'at al Muslimeen (JAM) in Trinidad and Tobago."

Other groups active on the island are Waajihatul Islaamiyyah (The Islamic Front) and the Jamaat al Murabiteen. The Waajihatul Islaamiyyah group openly supports Osama Bin Laden, al Qaeda and Jemmah Islamiyyah.... (2004 Nov 15)

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28 December 2005

Robbinston hearing on LNG plan tonight: Impact on municipal operations focus — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME

The two principals of Downeast LNG, the company behind the project, will outline how several municipal areas would be handled if the plant were built. Dean Girdis and Rob Wyatt will be present at the meeting, which will begin at 7 tonight at the Robbinston School.

"We will walk the residents through a list of issues that the town's advisory committee has raised," Girdis said Tuesday.

"We will tell them what we are proposing for things like education, transportation, the environment and homeowner compensation."

Residents will see a five-page proposal that the company has been discussing with the advisory committee.

Who, what, is FERC? [Op-ed] — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME

So who is the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission? What is FERC, this national board that now has, thanks to the giveaway of local autonomy by our bought-and-paid-for Congress, arbitrary decision-making power as to the location of liquified natural gas plants?

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: Save Passamaquoddy Bay is committed to providing factual information. The Bangor Daily News op-ed author above opposes the makeup of the FERC, and Commissioners' connections to the energy industry; however, while he is correct that the Commission should not be involved in any conflict of interest, and Pres. Bush has dallied for several years on keeping the Commission membership at five members, the author has made some errors of fact regarding that regulatory agency: (1) The Commission is not made up solely of Republicans — Commissioner Sudeen G. Kelly is a Democrat (See "In their hands," Providence Journal, 2005 Apr 24.); and (2) Commissioner Sudeen G. Kelly provided the sole vote against the Weavers Cove LNG terminal, not Commissioner Brownell. (See "Fall River LNG plan OK'd, Providence expansion rejected," Providence Journal, 2005 Jul 1.)]

Maine sea floor bubbling like soup? — Portland Press Herald, Portland, ME

Between Portland and Eastport, there are 70 known methane gas fields, primarily in the deepest and muddiest bays close to shore. Although the gas fields have no commercial value, the scientists say, some pose a hazard for man-made objects placed on the sea floor, such as utility lines that stretch between the mainland and islands. (Dec 27)

How to tax the tides? [Letter to the editor] — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME

We need the new liquefied natural gas terminal to fill our pipeline and we'll get our needed tidal electric-generating facility when the politicians figure out how to tax the tidal changes. (Dec 27) [NOTE: As typical with Bangor Daily News letters to the editor, the online page contains no link to take you directly to a particular letter, the text contains inappropriate line endings and line spaces, and most letter's headlines are undistinguishable from the body text. To find the letter using the above link, search the page for "How to tax the tides?".]

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: Once again, the Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline construction manager stated at their November open house in Baileyville that the pipeline is full, and that the planned expansion will be full.]

Crude follows natural gas lower on mild forecasts — Platts [Free registration required]

Watch the price of gas explode — National Post, Don Mills, ON

Natural gas investors need only wait for the snow to fly to be able to frolic in the unprecedented winter wonderland that will be North American natural gas pricing for the heating season of 2005-2006. (Dec 27)

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: Inevitably, gas supplies will become scarcer, prices will go higher, and the "oil economy" will go with the dinosaurs. We need to do some serious rethinking soon about energy and how we use it.]

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26 December 2005

Coast Guard to evaluate Passamaquoddy Bay for LNG ships — Village Soup, Belfast, ME

The Coast Guard received official notification of the proposal Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2005, via Downeast’s [Downeast LNG] letter of intent, the first regulatory step in the Coast Guard’s assessment and validation approval process, designed to ensure LNG-laden ships operate safely.

“As I previously stated and want to reemphasize, we will also be looking for comments from the general public in the U.S. and Canada to ensure the full range of issues associated with moving LNG tankers from the Bay of Fundy to Passamaquoddy Bay are considered. The safety and security of the facility and port, its surrounding communities, our marine environment and the very vessels transporting the commodity remain my top priority. It is paramount that all concerned work jointly and cooperatively to ensure accurate and balanced decisions are arrived at."

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: The reality is that the Coast Guard assumes that anything can be done safely if enough money and assets are thrown at it. Community comments are allowed, but — as history shows — are ignored. The Coast Guard doesn't have the authority to deny a proposl; they simply tell FERC how much money and effort will be required to "mitigate" safety and security issues, and FERC then decides if they'll issue the permit.]

LNG: Pandora's box [Letter to the editor] — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME

We now have a crisis and an underutilized pipeline. And no one is held responsible while consumers are being fleeced and told that the demand for electricity is going to increase by 40 percent over the next 20 years.

Washington County has the some of the last unspoiled coastal land on the Eastern Seaboard. The pipeline just passes through the northern end of the county. To put a liquefied natural gas terminal in Washington County would be the beginning of the end for our unique treasure. (Dec 24) [NOTE: As typical with Bangor Daily News letters to the editor, the online page contains no link to take you directly to a particular letter, the text contains inappropriate line endings and line spaces, and most letter's headlines are undistinguishable from the body text. To find the letter using the above link, search the page for "LNG: Pandora's box".]

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: The letter writer is correct regarding LNG's potential ruination of the uniqueness of Passamaquoddy Bay; however, he has been improperly influenced by an inaccuracy in an earlier Bangor Daily News article ("Terminal Velocity," by Bill Trotter) incorrectly stating that the pipeline is "underutilized." According to personnel at the Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, as stated at their November open house in Baileyville, the pipeline is currently full, and the planned expansion will also be filled to capacity by the approved forthcoming Canadian natural gas and LNG projects.]

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23 December 2005

Repsol and Irving retain Linklaters on Canaport LNG terminal — LawFuel, NZ

The Law News Network - Repsol YPF, S.A. and Irving Oil Limited have retained Linklaters to represent them in the project financing of the Canaport LNG terminal which they are developing in partnership to deliver one billion cubic feet per day of regassified LNG to Eastern Canada and New England.

US working gas in storage falls 162 Bcf to 2.802 Tcf: EIA — Platts [Free registration required]

Another LNG terminal on the Gulf Coast has received all its permits for construction.... (Week of Dec 25)

Milford Haven port authority threatens to keep out BG gas ship — Guardian Unlimited, UK

A port authority at the centre of Britain's liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry has warned the operator BG that it will not let its vessels enter its harbour unless it is convinced they are safe. The tough words from Milford Haven - where two LNG terminals are being constructed - comes a day after the Guardian revealed that BG had found leaks in one of its new vessels.

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: Communities with LNG facilities now have even greater reason for concern about the safety of LNG ships.]

Calpine: Bankrupt — Daily Astorian, Astoria, OR

Calpine Corp., one of four companies working to build a liquefied natural gas plant on the Columbia River, has filed for bankruptcy. (Dec 21)

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22 December 2005

Coast Guard will evaluate suitability of Passamaquoddy Bay for liquified natural gas ships [Press release] — U.S. Coast Guard

The U.S. Coast Guard Sector Northern New England here will assess safety and security issues associated with liquefied natural gas tankers transiting Passamaquoddy Bay and its approaches to Split Rock in conjunction with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) permitting process regarding Quoddy Bay, L.L.C.’s proposal to build a liquefied natural gas terminal at Pleasant Point.

State gears up now that LNG proposal is filed with Feds — WLBZ-TV, Bangor

Governor Baldacci has named an "LNG Technical Working Group" that comprises 14 members representing nine state agencies.

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: The state's action took place prior to the pre-filing and was unrelated to Quoddy Bay LLC's pre-filing with FERC.]

State assembles LNG panel — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME

Uldis Vanags, an energy policy analyst with the State Planning Office, is the group's coordinator. The group met for the first time last week - coincidentally, three days before Quoddy Bay LLC filed 27 pages of prefiling material with FERC.

Impact of Brightman Street Bridge on LNG project remains to be seen — Providence Journal, Providence, RI

Strip away the bureaucratic language from the secretary of environmental affair's just-released decision on the Weaver's Cove LNG terminal project and you'll find that it asks the same question Fall River officials have been asking for months.

How will Weaver's Cove get liquefied natural gas to the proposed terminal when the Brightman Street Bridge is still in place?

Safety worry on gas supertankers — BBC News, UK

The newspaper reported that one ship delivered by a South Korean yard has been withdrawn from service and will undergo tests.

A second ship - the Gaz de France Energy - is undergoing repairs in France after problems were discovered in tests before it was handed over by the shipbuilder. The ship is not part of the BG fleet.

The Guardian also quoted the shipping industry newspaper TradeWinds reporting that faults gave concern to the owners and operators of "at least 20 other LNG tankers, either delivered or under construction".

LNG plant processing expanded — chron.com, TX

"By doubling the size of our Elba Island terminal and expanding our delivery capability from the terminal, we are significantly improving the natural gas supply picture in the Southeastern U.S.," El Paso CEO Doug Foshee said.

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21 December 2005

Quoddy Bay LLC — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME

"It is going to be the most reliable source of natural gas that has ever been built to bring gas into the United States," [Don] Smith said.

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: Don Smith has also promised that he'd "restore the fishery" here, using his own money. Perhaps he'll also demonstrate that he can walk on water.]

LNG - it's a tough question for Maine [Op-ed column] — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME

There are other, competing projects proposed for southern New England. The most competitive are those planned for offshore sites using mooring buoys and underwater pipeline connections. Two developers want to locate about twenty miles east of Boston harbor and another wants to build in the center of Long Island Sound. These projects share similar characteristics of deep water, distance from land-based populations, and proximity to the pipeline infrastructure that serves the Boston and New York markets. They have strong financial backing, but they also have local opponents.

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: Op-ed writer Rob Gardiner, Maine representative of the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF), failed to mention that the CLF itself is one of the "local opponents" to the proposed offshore LNG terminal east of Boston harbor. The CLF doesn't want LNG in its own back yard — where it makes the most sense, near the market for the gas — which is why CLF is promoting it for Passamaquoddy Bay.]

Pro-LNG propaganda [Letter to the editor] — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME

First, the Bangor Daily News was saying there had to be a reasonable debate on an LNG terminal in Passamaquoddy Bay. Then they said those who don't want an LNG terminal in this region, just like the folks in Harpswell, Sears Island, and Gouldsboro, are being selfish and depriving everyone of cheap energy. [NOTE: As typical with Bangor Daily News letters to the editor, the online page contains no link to take you directly to a particular letter. To find the letter using the above link, search the page for "Pro-LNG propaganda".]

Details of LNG terminal provided — Press Herald, Portland, ME

The facility would have the capacity to supply up to 2 billion cubic feet of natural gas a day to the region, said Quoddy Bay LLC President Donald Smith.

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: First, there were going to be two LNG storage tanks at Pleasant Point Reservation; then, maybe three tanks; then there were no tanks; then tanks in Robbinston, along with an 8-mile long LNG cryogenic undersea pipe-dream; and now no tanks in Robbinston, but three tanks in Perry. Does anyone believe that Don Smith and Quoddy Bay LLC actually have a plan?]

Quoddy Bay LLC Hold[s] Press Conference In Augusta — WQDY-FM, Calais, ME

Quoddy Bay president Don Smith said the public relations approach will be different this time. [Bold emphasis added.]

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: "Different this time"? —as in "telling the truth?"]

Goldboro to get LNG plant — Chronicle Herald, Halifax, NS

Mr. Dunn said he also plans to build a plastics plant that uses material stripped from the natural gas.

Last April, the Sable pipeline company announced it would spend hundreds of millions of dollars to triple capacity to meet potential LNG demand after receiving a "strong response" from companies wanting to ship LNG on its 1,365-kilometre pipeline, which stretches from Nova Scotia to Massachusetts.

Energy Minister Cecil Clarke said the plant’s output will help lower transportation costs for offshore developers by keeping the pipeline full.

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: Just as announced as a result of the Saint John, NB LNG facility, Goldboro's LNG facility will spawn a plastics plant. The pipeline will be full. Transportation costs for the gas will be lowered.]

Antitrust suit filed against BP, Exxon Mobil claims oil giants are restricting U.S. gas supply — Associated Press

The port authority claims BP and Exxon Mobil's refusal to sell its natural gas is keeping the price artificially high nationwide.

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: This — in a long string of black marks — is another condemnation of bad-acting BP, partner in the Dominion Cove Point LNG terminal in Maryland that Dean Girdis and Rob Wyatt of Downeast LNG hold up as being so wonderful.]

Safety fears for fleet of new LNG tankers after leaks are found — Guardian Unlimited, UK

The problem is worrying the industry because no one has yet discovered what the exact causes of the problems are and there are fears of a design problem that could affect up to 20 vessels. The ships are needed to service a massive increase in demand for LNG in Britain, the United States and elsewhere as the indigenous supplies of natural gas from the North Sea run out. [Bold emphasis added.]

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: But FERC and the LNG industry keep assuring us that everything is safe!]

LNG project not the best [Opinion] — Anchorage Daily News, Anchorage, AK

"Notwithstanding enduring devotion on the part of Alaskan advocacy groups, LNG alternatives to a pipeline through Canada for marketing arctic natural gas have never had much credibility or support from energy or financial analysts, major gas producers or other prospective shippers," Tussing said. (Dec 20)

Natural gas treads a global path — USA Today

"By setting our future policy, basing it on LNG, then we will be subject to the same forces that we're now subject to in oil supply — in other words, foreign disruptions, political events, growth of the energy sector in Asia," said Rep. Don Sherwood, R-Pa., at a congressional hearing last month. (Dec 19)

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19 December 2005

Bidding War Chills U.S. Plan To Import Gas — Wall Street Journal, New York, NY

The theory was that if the U.S., the world's largest gas consumer, opened for imports, there would be tankers lining up to discharge their cargo. There was "a self-indulgent, myopic belief that if the U.S. builds a terminal, everyone wants to supply us. And that is what has been wrong," says James Jensen, an industry consultant in Weston, Mass.

Quoddy Bay LLC Files Pre-Application With FERC Friday — WQDY-FM, Calais, ME

The Oklahoma-based Quoddy Bay LLC has become the first entity trying to bring a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal to Passamaquoddy Bay to file formal notice with federal regulators.

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: Don't be surprised to read in the news that Quoddy Bay LLC's pre-application to FERC — like their submerged land lease application — is rejected due to being incomplete, since, because of the lawsuit against them by "We Protect Our Land," Quoddy Bay LLC doesn't have clear access to their proposed LNG terminal site at Split Rock.]

LNG not a white knight for gas prices, analyst warns — Canada.com

While high prices are here now, it's long been thought new LNG supplies will dampen prices over the next few years as a host of new projects go from the drawing board to reality.

A look at the global market for LNG, however, shows such expectations could be wishful thinking.

Even with record North American gas prices, it's unlikely terminals here will be able to pay enough for LNG shipments to compete with European and Asian markets.

Natural gas imports stir safety issues — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte, NC

"A lot of people outside who don't do this [Coast Guard gunboat security of LNG tankers] sometimes ask me what's really going to happen on the Chesapeake Bay? Take 9-11, for instance; who thought that was ever going to happen? It could be the same thing with this," said Bradshaw, 24, a no-nonsense bosun's mate second class. (Dec 18)

Suspicious swings in commodities — DowJones MarketWatch

On Tuesday, natural gas for January delivery traded at an all-time high of $15.78 per million British thermal units. Just two days later, the market was greeted by a government saying supply levels are above their five-year average. [Bold emphasis added.] (Dec 18)

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: Which is it — a natural gas shortage, or a glut with price manipulation? FERC claims that there's a shortage, but elsewhere in government, they're indicating otherwise.]

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18 December 2005

New England Needs Power In Its Backyard [Opinion column] — Day, New London, CT

Any approach the Commission takes must complement regional regulation and recognize regional realities, whether for electricity or natural gas. It will require tough choices and the development of infrastructure that may be politically unpopular.

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: And, as FERC Chairman Kelliher states, since the greatest need in New England is Connecticut and Massachusetts, it makes the most economic sense to place the new infrastructure in those states, closest to the need.]

French company proposes natural-gas port 10 miles off Fort Lauderdale coast — Orlando Sentinel, Orlando, FL

"The best safety factor of these is they're located 10 miles off shore," he said. "They've not located near population centers or on land." (Dec 17)

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16 December 2005

LNG & Maine's underbelly [Op-ed column] — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME

[D]evelopers remain excited because they think they have found Maine's soft underbelly. They pursue their inappropriate schemes in spite of local opposition and ignoring the fact that the LNG race in the northeast is over. Construction has started on two Canadian terminals and many other better-situated proposals are already under FERC review and years ahead of the Passamaquoddy trio.

While there is no question that location is playing a part in the mad rush to locate LNG in Washington County, here are the relevant facts without the LNG promoter's spin.

Most of the coast of New England is closer to the gas grid than Passamaquoddy Bay.

Because ships can't fly in straight lines, Passamaquoddy Bay is farther from foreign LNG sources than other New England ports.

Much of New England has the deep-water access, but nowhere has the raging tides found in Passamaquoddy Bay.

Passamaquoddy Bay is as far from the lucrative East Coast gas market as you can get and still be in New England.
[Bold emphasis added.]

Note: Bangor Daily News (BDN) items are eventually archived, making them unavailable without the reader paying a fee. If you cannot access the article on the BDN web server, we've made the same article on our server where it can be read without cost.

On boat tours, a view of an island's history: Park service looks into displaying St. Croix's richness, past and present — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME

The National Park Service is looking for boat operators willing to provide ranger-narrated boat cruises around the tiny island in the St. Croix River that was home in 1604 to the first French settlement in North America.

The boats would leave the Robbinston boat landing and travel close to the island, and a ranger would talk about its rich cultural history. The park service hopes to launch the tours next summer.

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: This points out just one more reason how an LNG terminals at Robbinston and Red Beach would damage the local tourism economy: LNG tankers headed to those proposed terminals would be close to the Robbinston boat landing, and would be sitting nearly atop St. Croix Island as the Red Beach tankers pass by, halting all boat trips and endangering visitors to the St. Croix Island International Historic Sites in Maine and New Brunswick.

Further, the Red Beach LNG terminal would dock ships just 1.5 miles from St. Croix Island, the Mill Cove LNG terminal would dock ships 2.5 miles from the Robbinston boat launch — close enough that, should a catastrophe occur, people boating to, from, and around St. Croix Island could receive heat-radiation burns. (World-recognized LNG safety expert Dr. Jerry Havens has testified that facilities need to be at least three miles from people, to ensure that civilians won't be injured in the case of an LNG pool fire.]

More than 100 turn out to protest Fall River LNG plan — East Bay Newspapers, Bristol, RI

While many expressed outrage with Weaver's Cove, others were just as upset with the federal government. Rep. Raymond Gallison (Dist. 69), who represents Bristol and Portsmouth in the Rhode Island General Assembly, said FERC officials paid no attention to legitimate concerns raised by Ocean Staters and Massachusetts residents when they approved the LNG plan earlier this year. Instead, he said, it appeared to all that FERC got its "marching orders from the current administration in Washington ... an administration that seeks to maximize the profits of energy companies."

'I feel that the wool is being pulled over the public’s eyes' — Daily Astorian, Astoria, OR

To compensate for the load of LNG it dropped off, a tanker could take up to 50 million gallons of Columbia River water for ballast on the return trip, Foster said, which could affect juvenile salmon rearing in the estuary.

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: Collin Woodard, in his book, "The Lobster Coast," page 252, describes how infant (under 1") lobsters that hatch in Passamaquoddy Bay drift in the tidal currents down to Portland and beyond, perpetuating the Maine lobster industry. LNG ships taking on ballast from Passamaquoddy Bay could significantly deplete Maine's largest remaining fishery.]

Calpine zoning turns the heat on Warrenton leaders — Daily Astorian, Astoria, OR

Snow added that the applicant has to follow the rules in place when at the time it files its application, so the commission could strengthen the code before then. City Attorney Jeanyse Snow said the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has a six-month pre-application process for LNG proposals.

Texas Gas Well Explodes, Ignites More Fires — Dallas Morning News, Dallas, TX

A natural gas well exploded and ignited secondary fires early Friday, shaking the area and causing a flash of light visible for 100 miles.

FERC staff issues Draft Environmental Impact Statement on Creole Trail LNG Terminal and Pipeline Project — U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)

FERC staff conclude that the Creole Trail LNG Terminal and Pipeline Project with appropriate mitigating measures, as recommended, would have limited adverse environmental impact.

Cheniere gets FERC approval for LNG terminal — Reuters

Cheniere Energy Inc. ... on Friday said a wholly-owned unit received approval from the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to start construction of a liquefied natural gas receiving terminal near Corpus Christi, Texas.

Environmentalists Say Shell Hits Whale Feeding — Planet Ark, Australia

The WWF conservation organisation and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) said the tiny remaining population of about 100 grey whales was apparently shunning feeding grounds near the PA-B platform during construction in July-September.

"Shell has failed to meet even its own environmental standards on its projects," Paul Steele, WWF international's chief executive, said in a statement. The groups urged Shell to suspend offshore activities in the area pending further study. (Dec 15)

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: The above is occurring at Sakhalin Island, Russia, where Shell has been violating indigenous rights along with environmental rights. Shell is also a partner in the Dominion Cove Point LNG terminal in Maryland. Shell's Sakhalin partner, Russia's gas monopoly Gazprom, wants to own Cove Point LNG. Who will own the Passamaquoddy Bay LNG terminals if they are built — a Russian gas monopoly?]

DOE to Host Meeting on Balancing Natural Gas Supply and Demand — U.S. Department of Energy, Fossil Energy Communications Office

DOE is hosting a roundtable discussion on December 19-20, 2005, involving experts in natural gas supply and demand, as well as representatives of States, consumers and other organizations. [Refer to grey text box on resulting web page.] (Dec 13)

LNG foes trade punches — Herald News, Fall River, MA

Until recently, Hess LNG had said its facility couldn’t become operational until the old bridge was demolished and the new Brightman Street Bridge was built, because LNG tankers are too wide to pass under the existing structure.

Last week, however, the company began altering its position and continued to do so Monday.

"We are working on several solutions so that the old Brightman Street Bridge will not be an issue," said project spokesman James Grasso. (Dec 13)

Government Report Says Oil Prices to Remain Above $50 a Barrel for Years to Come — Associated Press (AP)

The [Energy Information Administration's] long-term energy outlook report also: Scaled back the expected growth of liquefied natural gas imports into the United States. It said an increase of worldwide demand for LNG will reduce the amount coming to U.S. facilities. (Dec 12)

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15 December 2005

Town sets vote on LNG — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME

Faced with dueling petitions - one asking for a delay in an up or down vote on the project, the other asking that it be held immediately - the Board of Selectmen announced last week that a vote would be held at the special town meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 10.

First Selectman Tom Moholland said Monday town officials decided to schedule the vote. "After careful review and the Maine Municipal Association's guidance on this matter, we the selectmen render the following opinion on the matter of the conflicting petitions. We felt obligated by the democratic process to honor the wishes of the majority. The majority by a margin of roughly 190-70 are requesting an immediate vote," he said. (Dec 13)

Room for LNG in bay [Letter to the editor] — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME

Let's not be afraid to let the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission system work. We can all be involved and after the studies are done we will all know if this is a good project for our bay. The bay doesn't belong to any one group. [NOTE: As typical with Bangor Daily News letters to the editor, the online page contains no link to take you directly to a particular letter, the text contains inappropriate line endings and line spaces, and most letter's headlines are undistinguishable from the body text. To find the letter using the above link, search the page for "Room for LNG in bay".]

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: Part of the problem is that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is a proponent for the industry, rather than a true regulator. The FERC Commissioners are appointed by the President, without any requrement for professionalism or objectivity. The FERC has demonstrated numerous times that we should be afraid of their system, since FERC is not concerned with the public's economic interests or physical safety, but is primarily concerned with the interests of the energy industry.

The letter writer is correct that "the bay doesn't belong to any one group." That's all the more reason to see that objectivity and truth prevail in the investigation of effects that the proposed LNG facilities would impose on the area.]

Stan's the man for Liberals — Saint Croix Courier, St. Stephen, NB [Paid subscription required]

LNG is a major concern to St. Andrews, St. Stephen, Deer Island and Campobello, he said, and they must work with the newly formed federal committee to study the full impact of this project. He said he is concerned for the safety of those next to the areas of passage of the super tankers as the thermal radiation danger zone is over one mile.

"The exclusion zone required for tanker passage would completely disrupt and virtually destroy tourism, aquaculture and fisheries in the area and severely impact the existing ferry service. Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor James Fay, who has long warned about the perils of catastrophic LNG accidents, clearly states that this is simply not an acceptable area for such an operation." (Dec 13) [NOTE: This link leads to an authorized copy of the story. No subscription required.]

Despite rejections, LNG proposals move up the coast — Gulf of Maine Times, Annapolis Royal, NS

While the projects could provide a new source of energy for New England and bring jobs to Maine's Washington County, opponents argue that an LNG terminal, and the huge tankers that service it, will pose a threat to a vibrant coastal ecosystem and destroy the region's tourist trade by industrializing small coastal communities, tribal lands and resort towns. (Winter 2005)

LNG vote set for January in Robbinston — Quoddy Tides, Eastport, ME

Moholland says private groups may feel it is necessary to spend $50,000 or more to have a study done, but he believes during the permitting process that FERC will study every impact of the project. He feels that once people realize this they will be more comfortable with the FERC application process. (Dec 9) [NOTE: This link leads to an authorized copy of the story. No subscription required.]

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: History demonstrates that FERC does not study every impact of energy projects.]

Split Rock application tabled on request from state agency — Quoddy Tides, Eastport, ME

The submerged land permit application submitted to the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands on September 19 by Quoddy Bay LLC, the Oklahoma-based company that proposes to build a liquefied natural gas terminal (LNG) at Split Rock in Pleasant Point, has been tabled at this time. (Dec 9) [NOTE: This link leads to an authorized copy of the story. No subscription required.]

Delaware refuses permit for LNG pier — Quoddy Tides, Eastport, ME

The catch is that BP's Crown Landing LLC storage tanks would stand in Logan Township, N.J., but most of the 2,000-foot delivery pier would extend onto underwater lands in Delaware. (Dec 9) [NOTE: This link leads to an authorized copy of the story. No subscription required.]

University's economic impact study of LNG facility criticized — Quoddy Tides, Eastport, ME

"The UMaine news release provided only a tidbit of truth, yet it will become headlines and sound bytes that the public will take for more than it is," states Suzanne Crawford, a Robbinston resident and retired higher education administrator. "I was surprised that a study paid for by a private client — in this case the LNG developers seeking to locate a terminal operation at Mill Cove in Robbinston — would be released by the university, and I was even more stunned to see a UMaine website listed as the place where the full study paid for by the developer could be seen." (Dec 9) [NOTE: This link leads to an authorized copy of the story. No subscription required.]

Downeast LNG meeting delayed until 2006 — Quoddy Tides, Eastport, ME

A request for a December meeting with the St. Andrews mayor and council made by Dean Girdis, president of Downeast LNG, which proposes to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility at Mill Cove at Robbinston, has been delayed until the new year. (Dec 9) [NOTE: This link leads to an authorized copy of the story. No subscription required.]

US FERC says LNG deliveries 160,000 Mcf/d below last year — Platts [Free registration required]

EBRD Caves In to Royal Dutch Shell [News release] — Pacific Environment

“EBRD’s concealment of the Birmingham Report shows that the Bank is willing to sacrifice its integrity in order to help Shell hide its dirty laundry,” said Norlen.

The so-called “Birmingham Group” report, completed last month, critically examines the Royal Dutch/Shell Group’s failed strategy for crossing hundreds of Sakhalin Island’s wild salmon rivers, streams and tributaries with eight hundred kilometers of Sakhalin II oil and gas pipelines. Sakhalin hosts one of the world’s few remaining robust salmon habitats, a crucial component to the local economy. (Dec 14)

Warrenton considers rezoning as Boston seeks to block gas pipeline — Daily Astorian, Astoria, OR

There have been four proposals to build LNG import terminals along the lower Columbia River. At a talk in Astoria two weeks ago, Michelle Foss, director of the Center for Energy Economics at the University of Texas, Austin, said that the United States probably needs between five and seven new LNG facilities. [Bold emphasis added.] (Dec 13)

PM’s LNG Worry — Bahama Journal, Nassau, Bahamas

Government officials believe that it would be unwise to have cruise ships pulling into port near an LNG terminal. (Dec 13)

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12 December 2005

R.I. looks to Canada — Providence Business News, Providence, RI

With competing proposals for liquefied natural gas terminals across New England, Gov. Donald L. Carcieri is encouraging his fellow state leaders to work with southeastern Canada to increase the LNG supply without compromising public safety.

During an energy summit convened by the General Assembly at the State House Nov. 30, state legislators received information packets that included materials about Carcieri’s regional approach to meet the state’s natural gas needs. The governor says New England states and southeastern Canadian provinces should collaborate to sate the region’s growing natural gas appetite.

“As a region, the governors have not reached a consensus [on how to increase natural gas supply], but I think there is agreement that we do need additional supplies and infrastructure in the region,” said John Shea, director of energy and environmental programming for the New England Governors’ Conference (NEGC), a Boston-based association chaired by Carcieri. The governors plan to meet with leaders from southeastern Canada in May, he said, and energy issues are expected be a key topic of discussion. [Bold emphasis added.] (Dec 10)

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: Gov. Carcieri's solution is a proper one — especially since no other New England governor has been willing to objectively study the best solutions for siting LNG terminals along the New England coast, to the detriment of New England citizens.]

Who will buy LNG security? — Gloucester County Times, Woodbury, NJ

Security requirements for LNG terminals are still developing, the result being that both government and industry officials admit there is still a large "gray area" surrounding who will fund them.

Last week, the Coast Guard issued preliminary approval of BP subsidiary Crown Landing's proposed liquefied natural gas terminal in Logan Township, provided the company meets a long list of required security measures. BP spokesman Tom Mueller said his company hopes to negotiate a plan for some of these security measures to be covered by the municipal and state government.

"The energy companies know there is a need for their product," said Dr. Gal Luft, Executive Director of the institute for the Analysis of Global Security in Washington D.C. "They know that if they put on enough pressure, they can get a lot of taxpayers' money to fund things that normally they wouldn't have to." [Bold emphasis added.] (Dec 11)

Piling onto the LNG plan [Opinion] — Press Telegram, Long Beach, CA

One of the most recent negative reactions to the EIR, and one of the strongest, comes from an agency whose permits are essential: the California Coastal Commission, which said the document is required to deal with worst-case scenarios but doesn't. The Public Utilities Commission was even harsher, describing the proposed site in the Port of Long Beach as subject to earthquakes and, because of nearby population, one of the worst sites imaginable. The state Energy Commission was politer, but hardly complimentary. (Dec 11)

US gas prices to drop to $4.46/Mcf by 2016, then rebound: EIA — Platts [Free registration required]

On the border — San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco, CA

"I knew it was a safety risk, and initially we thought it was better than putting it on shore," she said. "We said, 'Maybe we could live with it ruining our view.' But then we learned about the richness of the Coronado Islands, the marine life, the migratory birds."

Her colleagues sued under the North American Free Trade Agreement, charging the terminal would imperil the largest known colony of the endangered Xantus' murrelet, which breeds on the islands. (Dec 10)

Gov't Report: $50-Plus Oil Here to Stay — AP

The [Energy Information Administration's] long-term energy outlook report ... Scaled back the expected growth of liquefied natural gas imports into the United States. It said an increase of worldwide demand for LNG will reduce the amount coming to U.S. facilities.

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10 December 2005

Terminal Velocity — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME

Opponents to LNG terminal development in Washington County, some of them organized into groups on both sides of the U.S-Canadian border, have argued that Passamaquoddy Bay should be spared from industrial development. The bay, most of which lies in Canadian waters, should be left in its relatively pristine state, they have said, in order to cultivate a regional economy based on tourism and natural resources.

WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: The story's first listed reason why developers are attracted to Passamaquoddy bay — that the Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline is an underused pipeline — doesn't meet the truth and credibility test. The Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline is expanding due to planned additional gas volumes from Canada that the current pipeline can't handle (See below). Pipeline officials have already reported that even the planned expansion will be filled to capacity — there won't be room in the expanded pipeline for any of the proposed Passamaquoddy Bay LNG projects' gas. Quoted from Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline's web page, Expanding the Maritimes Pipeline — Phase IV: "Maritimes is proposing to expand its natural gas pipeline system to provide additional natural gas supplies and enhanced reliability to customers in Atlantic Canada and the Northeastern United States, where energy demand continues to increase steadily. "Maritimes has signed agreements with Anadarko LNG Marketing LLC to transport 813,000 MMBtu/day of natural gas from the proposed Bear Head LNG terminal near Point Tupper, Nova Scotia; and with Repsol Energy North America Corporation to transport 750,000 MMBtu/day of natural gas from the proposed Canaport LNG terminal near Saint John, New Brunswick. "The agreements are for transportation service to markets in Atlantic Canada and the Northeastern United States. The potential availability of new volumes of natural gas will benefit the region by providing greater energy security and reliability as well as additional competition and supply diversity. "Project Assessment "To accommodate these agreements, Maritimes is assessing preliminary designs to expand its existing interstate system by adding additional compressor stations and sections of pipeline referred to as pipeline looping and by modifying existing compressor stations." [Red and bold emphasis added.] Also note that the Save Passamaquoddy Bay webmaster attended a Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline (M&NP) open house in late November, and asked M&NP personnel if there is now — or if there will be, after their expansion — room to accommodate additional natural gas from the proposed LNG terminals in Passamaquoddy Bay. The M&NP representative indicated that currently there is no room, and after the planned expansion, there will be no room to accommodate any gas from any of the proposed Passamaquoddy Bay projects.

St. Andrews residents apprehensive on LNG — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME

LNG opponent Art Mackay said recently that St. Andrews was known as "Bar Harbor North." He said he doubted that a developer would even try to site a terminal in that Maine community.

Big response to St. Andrews survey — Courier Weekend, St. Stephen, NB [Paid subscription required]

Technology and research and development businesses, as well as environmentally-friendly small manufacturing were the top candidates for new opportunities. Not welcome were LNG, heavy industry, chain stores and call centres — these were at the top of the list. (Dec 9) [NOTE: This link leads to an authorized copy of the story. No subscription required.]

Two stories about LNG and Passamaquoddy Bay [Op-ed column] — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME

Ships go by the proposed Robbinston site now in transit upriver to the Bayside, Canada, docks, and I hear no reference to negative impact on the fishing or tourism industry. I would personally trust the integrity of an LNG tanker over the ships registered in Liberia seen going to Bayside when I am out boating. Besides, I don't think the lobsters, salmon, urchins or crabs know the difference between the ships. (Dec 9)

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: The column's writer doesn't understand that LNG tankers — but not aggregate carriers going to Bayside — require large "safety zones" around them that prohibit boat traffic, including fishing, pleasure, and tourism-related traffic. Also, LNG tankers would transit the area as close to slack tide as possible, which is exactly when lobster fishermen and draggers fish these waters.]

Boston Officials Want Feds To Block Gas Pipeline — WQDY-FM, Calais, ME

Boston officials are asking federal regulators to block a proposed gas pipeline in Massachusetts until they receive assurances the project will not create more LNG tanker traffic in Boston Harbor. (Dec 9)

Hopes afloat on LNG project — Gloucester County Times, Woodbury, NJ

"The case has already been accepted by the high court, and it seems like discussions between BP and the EDA aren't really relevant to the bigger lawsuit issue now," said Mueller. (Dec 9)

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENT: The developer is lousy-corporate-safety BP, which is reason enough to nix this project.]

US winter gas supplies to be sufficient, but expensive: officials — Platts [Free registration required]

US natural gas supplies this winter will most likely prove adequate to meet heating demand, but the cost of those supplies will prove painful for many consumers, speakers said Friday at a press conference sponsored by The Energy Daily in Washington. (Dec 9)

In the next window, click on link that matches the following text.

9-Dec-2005

US winter gas supplies to be sufficient, but expensive: officials

Open next window to Platts.com

Boston opposes pipeline expansion, seeks LNG import cap — Platts [Free registration required]

Although the city recognizes the need for gas in the region, it wants LNG imports to Boston to cease, it said in a Dec 7 late motion to intervene in a US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission case on the proposal (CP06-18). (Dec 9)

In the next window, click on link that matches the following text.

9-Dec-2005

Boston opposes pipeline expansion, seeks LNG import cap

Open next window to Platts.com

A key agency that may decide the fate of the proposed liquefied natural gas terminal at the port has concluded that safety considerations were not sufficiently addressed in the project's draft environmental impact report.

It asserted that with regard to public safety, "it fails to disclose worst-case impacts as required by the CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act)." (Dec 9)

While no one seemed to disagree that there is a need to increase the domestic natural-gas supply, many were still concerned about the project’s effects on the fishermen and the safety of the towns surrounding the pipeline. (Dec 8)

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8 December 2005

Outlining the consequences of an LNG disaster [Opinion column] — Courier Weekend, St. Stephen, NB

In an attempt to minimize and divert attention from adverse health and medical consequences, marketers of LNG import terminals will attempt to describe safety measures they propose. They will attempt to limit dialogue to discussion of what they will do to prevent disasters. They will studiously avoid discussion of what they will do if disasters occur. (Dec 2)

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENT: This opinion was written by RADM Brian W. Flynn, Ed.D., Assistant Surgeon General, U.S. Public Health Service (Ret.).]

Green Coast Related		State energy head touts wind power to LURC — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME

Since 2000, Maine has become increasingly dependent on natural gas to generate electricity, Nagusky said. In 2000, roughly 25 percent of the electricity generated in Maine came from natural gas. In 2002, that number was 73 percent, she said.

As the price of natural gas has risen, so have the state's electricity costs, according to Nagusky, who told commissioners that alternative sources of power — including wind — could help lower those costs.

The Passamaquoddy Tribe received permits in October to erect two meteorological towers on its tribal trust lands in Washington and Somerset counties in anticipation of a wind power project.

Boston seeks to block natural gas pipeline — Boston Globe, Boston, MA

"The city's prime concern, voiced frequently by Mayor Thomas M. Menino since September 11, 2001, is the need to reduce and ultimately cease all LNG shipments through Boston Harbor," city officials wrote. [Bold emphasis added.]

OPEC'S upcoming meeting in Kuwait very important - Qatari minister — Kuwait News Agency, Kuwait

On transforming Qatar into a capital for gas, Al-Ateya said this matter has become a reality but it was not easy to achieve, adding that they have "faced many obstacles and challenges and five years ago experts had estimated Qatar's production of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to 40 million tones annually in 2020.

"Actual estimations indicate that LNG production will reach 77 million tones of ... annually by 2010, a matter which shows that Qatar has almost become an LNG capital, he continued to say. (Dec 9)

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: Hmmmm. A meeting of "OPEC" discussing "LNG." — Can you spell "LNG CARTEL"?]

Legal Violations Remain at Sakhalin II LNG Plant — Pacific Environment

Yesterday the Sakhalin Regional Court acted favorably on an appeal by local NGO Sakhalin Environment Watch and other citizens who complain that Shell’s construction of an LNG terminal has caused widespread damage to the local fishing economy. In so doing, the Sakhalin Regional Court overturned a local court ruling to refuse to take legal action against Shell for the environmental damage resulting from the LNG terminal construction on Aniva Bay. The case will now return to a new judge at the Municipal Court. [Bold red emphasis added.] (Dec 7)

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: Shell is one exclusive supplier to Dominion Cove Point in Maryland — the company that Downeast LNG's Dean Girdis and Robert Wyatt think is an example of goodness.]

Aggressive developments in the Middle-East LNG Markets, despite US displeasure — PRMinds, Biot, France

... RNCOS has published a market research report called "New Projects Lead to a Boom in the Global LNG Market — Industry Analysis (2005-2010)" which says that Iran and Qatar have 16% of world's natural gas reserves as of 2004 and rank as second and third respectively.

Middle East should become the highest source of LNG supply. Qatar having the world's largest portion of gas field has been continuously developing its LNG projects. (Dec 6)

Katrina puts focus on LNG vulnerability — Mississippi Press, MS

"It should be evident to the people who want to put these things in that they're not going to be able to operate after a storm."

City Says LNG EIR Lacking — Grunion Gazette, Long Beach, CA

According to a summary of the official comments released Wednesday afternoon, “the Draft EIS/EIR does not meet California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) or National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) requirements.” Both of those standards must be met for an EIR to be certified.

There ... is no air quality conformity analysis, meaning there is no explanation of expected emissions or how emission offsets would be obtained. Air quality is the number one environmental issue facing the port today.

No waterway suitability assessment has been done, either, the city points out. That assessment would detail how ship traffic would be impacted by LNG tankers arriving or leaving — a situation accompanied by stopping of all other nearby water activities at other LNG terminals.

Finally, the city says the report inappropriately downplays “worst case” scenarios in relation to accidents or attacks. The draft EIR “underestimates the severity of risks,” the city says.

LNG hearing brings up concerns — SunHerald, Biloxi, MS

Becky Gillette, Sierra Club co-chair, voiced concerns about terminals' increased ship traffic and the impact on commercial and recreational fishing, and adding more industry in an already-polluted county.

Gazprom CEO discusses LNG supplies with U.S. partners — Russian News & Information Agency Novosti, Russia

Gazprom said its first LNG tanker had arrived at the regasification terminal in Maryland in September under an agreement with Shell Western BV and BG Group. [Bold emphasis added.]

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: Russia's gas monopoly Gazprom is a partner with environment-abusing and indigenous-rights-abusing Shell. Shell is an exclusive supplier to the Dominion Cove Point LNG terminal in Maryland. Gazprom wants to own the Cove Point LNG terminal. Cove Point — through Shell — is connected to environment abuse and indigenous rights abuse. Despite all that, Downeast LNG's Dean Girdis & Robert Wyatt hold up Cove Point LNG as something to admire.]

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7 December 2005

Importing Liquified Natural Gas — PBS - NewsHour with Jim Lehrer

BILL POWERS: Everybody in the whole chain on the producer and distribution side is making a killing. The only people that are losing are the 250 million people on the other side of the line that are ponying up the money for that commodity. (Listen to the sound file.) (Dec 6)

LNG hearings set for next week — EastBayRI.com, Bristol, RI

The United States Army Corps of Engineers will hold public hearings in Bristol and Fall River next week on a plan to dredge Mt. Hope Bay to make way for an LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) terminal along the banks of the Taunton River in Fall River.

LNG studies lack data, says expert — Herald News, Fall River, MA

Panelists at a liquefied natural gas conference in Boston Tuesday attempted to dispel what they view as myths associated with LNG and lauded the safety record of LNG tankers, trucks and import terminals.

"It is the public that needs to be convinced as to the proper place of LNG in the U.S. energy mix, and very few of their representatives are here today," said Bryant, who handles national and international maritime, regulatory and environmental matters in his practice. "LNG has been moved safely worldwide for many years without incidents, yet it continues to suffer from bad press."

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS:

This LNG Development seminar was produced by Law Seminars International. The seminar's purpose was for attorneys involved in the LNG industry, with seminar tuition at $497.50 – $995 per person. It's no wonder very few members of the public were present, and that speakers presented a lopsided point of view.

A Conference "No-Show": Scheduled speaker Craig Francis, now employed as the Chair of the Indian Law Practice Group at the firm of Jensen Baird Gardner & Henry, didn't appear; instead, another member of the firm spoke. According to the program description, Francis is former General Counsel of the Passamaquoddy Tribe of Maine, where he served a role with the tribe including spokesperson for LNG projects and has been involved with the Quoddy Bay LNG project since its inception.]

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6 December 2005

Study[:] ... Heightened Cancer Risk From Port Operations — Long Beach Report, Long Beach, CA

The CA Air Resources Board (CARB) has released a draft study indicating operations at the Ports of LB and L.A. are creating an estimated heightened risk of cancer from diesel particulate emissions....

The CARB-released draft study, "Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure Assessment Study for the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach," acknowledges that in addition to cancer, diesel particulate emissions from the ports also estimated to result in non-cancer health impacts including premature death, asthma attacks and lost work days.

73% of the diesel particulate emissions -- by far the largest share -- come from ships using the LB-L.A. ports. 20% of that total results from ships burning high polluting "bunker fuel" while in port. [Bold emphasis added.]

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: Most LNG freighters currently use bunker fuel and/or diesel fuel, perhaps including "boiled-off" LNG. Some new LNG freighters now being built will burn deisel fuel exclusively, because it is more economical than burning LNG.]

Power plant proposed to warm LNG — Daily Astorian, Astoria, OR

The company was previously planning to use air vaporizers, which use the surrounding air to warm up the LNG, but decided that was not an efficient system, said Northern Star Vice President for Development Gary Coppedge.

Because of its size and efficiency, permitting the power plant won’t be included in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission siting process for the LNG facility, he said. Instead, it would be regulated by the state of Oregon.

Energy bill gives feds final say on LNG sites — Working Waterfront, Rockland, ME

Jerry Taylor, natural resources council for the Cato Institute, a Washington think tank, wrote of a "stampede to shove liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals down the collective throats of communities that simply don't want them given the risk of potentially-dangerous industrial accidents."

Chevron Increases Reserved Capacity at Sabine Pass — LNG Express

Cheniere Energy Inc. announced that Chevron has elected to increase its reserved regasification capacity at the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal [in Louisiana] to one billion cubic feet per day (bcfd).

Your letters: LNG [Four Letters to the editor] — Ventura County Star, Ventura, CA

Tom Elias's Nov. 25 column, "Pricing of LNG a question not even asked": Elias expressed concern about the fact that several liquefied natural gas importation projects proposed for California have exclusive supply relationships that will result in "monolithic" and "monopolistic" arrangements whereby the California consumer will not benefit from receiving the lowest-priced energy available.

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5 December 2005

Harness Quoddy's tides [Letter to the editor] — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME

Does Maine want to sacrifice Passamaquoddy Bay for 40 or 50 jobs? Or, would it prefer to guarantee jobs for thousands, with an uninterrupted and endless supply of electricity for Maine homes, businesses, and manufacturers? [NOTE: As typical with Bangor Daily News letters to the editor, the online page contains no link to take you directly to a particular letter, the text contains inappropriate line endings and line spaces, and most letter's headlines are undistinguishable from the body text. To find the letter using the above link, search the page for "Harness Quoddy's tides".]

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: The letter writer mentions warnings about running short of natural gas shortage this winter; however, the Maritimes & Northest Pipeline has already announced no shortages for Maine, since our supply comes from Canada and will not be affected by the hurricanes that affected natural gas infrastructure in the southern US. Also, the writer is evidently unaware that a project already exists to place three underwater turbines to generate power from the tides in the Passamaquoddy Bay area.]

Specialist says LNG backers see narrow time window for new plants — Daily Astorian, Astoria, OR

With energy, Foss said, people often say the problem is we don’t have enough. But it is all around us, in diffuse solar and wind energy; the trick is to turn it into energy we can use.

Foss also went over the safety aspects of the LNG industry ... that people should pay attention to four things when a project is being proposed. That includes the primary containment, or the design of the tanks and ships to keep the fuel in; secondary containment, including triple-hulled ships or berms around tanks; safeguard systems, which are aspects like fire protection for the facility; and the separation distance from the facility, such as with exclusion zones. [bold emphasis added]

Calpine hits further financial snags — Daily Astorian, Astoria, OR

The bad news continues to pile up for Calpine Corp., one of four companies seeking to build a liquefied natural gas terminal on the Columbia River.

Last week the company fired its founder, Peter Cartwright, who was chairman, president and CEO, and Robert D. Kelly, its executive vice president and chief financial officer, amid worries about the company’s debt load.

Now the struggling power merchant has been given until Jan. 22 to restore $313.6 million in improperly spent proceeds from the sale of its natural gas supplies into an escrow account set up as part an agreement with bondholders.

Abundant Energy or Floating Bombs? — New York Times, New York, NY

"If, God forbid, anything happened, there would be a domino effect up and down the river," said Bob Grant, a retired truck driver from Logan Township who used to haul hazardous materials in and out of plants along the river.

Mr. Grant's concerns are shared by Sharon Finlayson, chairwoman the New Jersey Environmental Federation, who says the benefits of liquefied natural gas are not worth the risk. "We've had spills on the river and other accidents that were supposed to be one-in-a-million," Ms. Finlayson said. "Then all of a sudden it happens. The dangers are real and have to be taken seriously."

Interestingly, several large utility companies — which would receive gas from Crown Landing through the pipeline system — have objected to the facility, contending that industrial and residential systems in the Northeast may not be compatible with the gas to be imported from overseas. [bold emphasis added] (Dec 4)

LNG Disaster Could Be Lethal For The Sound [Letter to the editor] — Day, New London, CT [Free registration required]

Look at the General Motors crisis, in which the company failed to develop fuel-efficient cars. There's more than one way to solve the country's energy problems. It's time to stop squandering money and resources and start using our brainpower. (Dec 4)

Taxpayers may finance LNG security — Gloucester County Times, Woodbury, NJ

Soon there may be a new battle in BP's campaign to build a liquefied natural gas terminal here: Trying to persuade New Jersey taxpayers to help foot the bill. (Dec 3)

L.B. has questions about LNG report — Press Telegram, Long Beach, CA

City and police officials said Friday that a lengthy environmental report does not provide enough information to determine the potential danger from a proposed liquefied natural gas terminal. (Dec 3)

Top

3 December 2005

State tables LNG permit request — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME

Dan Pritchard, bureau director, said Friday the agency recently informed Quoddy Bay LLC that there would be no further review of the application for a project on Passamaquoddy tribal land until it is made more complete.

University of Maine study supports economic benefits of Downeast LNG import terminal — MaineToday.com, Portland, ME

A study issued today by the Department of Resource Economics and Policy and the Margaret Chase Smith Center for Public Policy at the University of Maine makes it clear that an LNG import terminal proposed by Downeast LNG will bring substantial economic benefits to Washington County and the State of Maine.

WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: What's clear is that the information provided comes straight from a Downeast LNG news release. The study conducted by the Margaret Chase Smith Center for Public Policy (MCSCPP) was paid for by Downeast LNG. The study used the IMPLAN economic model, which even Daraius Irani (presenter at the Washington County Economic Summit 2005 on his economic study of the Cove Point LNG terminal in Maryland) admitted is flawed, and is used by those who don't want a more thorough and expensive method of economic investigation. To its credit, the MCSCPP study report points out that the (comprehensive) impact study conducted by Fairplay for Harpswell on the proposed LNG facility there indicated that there would be a significant negative net economic impact on the community. (Save Passamaquoddy Bay 3-Nation Alliance has commissioned the same firm used by Harpswell to conduct the Whole Bay Study, to determine the comprehensive impacts of proposed LNG facilities around Passamaquoddy Bay — something that Downeast LNG doesn't want the public to know.) Finally, the MCSCPP study also indicates that it did not conduct a comprehensive impact study. It merely studied the positive impacts of spending money in the area; it didn't cover environmental, social, or cultural impacts. It didn't study the negative impacts that such a facility would have on the area, and therefore is merely an unscholarly, unscientific propaganda tool for Girdis and Downeast LNG.

Congress Researchers Fault EPA Studies — AP

But the agency overestimated costs of installing the high-tech controls for mercury and assumes natural gas will [be] more plentiful and available at cheaper prices than the Energy Department estimates, according to congressional researchers James McCarthy and Larry Parker. (Dec 2)

Top

2 December 2005

The [required security] measures were not spelled out but Capt. David Scott, the Coast Guard's captain of the port, said they included safety zones around the LNG carriers, a waterway traffic management plan, escorts by armed law enforcement vessels and surveillance on the water and along the shore. (Dec 1)

Chevron boosting LNG capacity in Louisiana — UPI

Chevron Corp. said Friday it was boosting daily capacity at a Gulf Coast liquid natural gas unit from 700 million cubic feet to 1 billion cubic feet.

Russia's Gazprom eyes control over Russian LNG exports — Platts [Free registration required]

Gazprom is considering a possibility of keeping a single export channel for LNG to avoid competition of LNG to be sold by a Russian company with super-cooled gas sold by foreign participants in Russia's projects, Meshcherin said at parliament hearings.

In the next window, click on link that matches the following text.

2-Dec-2005

Russia's Gazprom eyes control over Russian LNG exports

Open next window to Platts.com

Top

1 December 2005

Second petition presented for vote on Robbinston LNG project — Quoddy Tides, Eastport, ME

[Michael] Footer believes most people want to vote on the project soon. He suspects the first petition submitted to the clerk by Berry may be a delaying action on the part of some groups that are opposed to an LNG facility. (Nov 25)

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: Why don't Footer and Downeast LNG want the public to know the full economic, social, and health consequences of an LNG facility? Even Downeast LNG's Dean Girdis, himself, stated that he doesn't want people "drawing conclusions when the project hasn't been fully defined and not all of the information is available to make an objective decision."]

Cianbro and tribe partner in Calais LNG development — Quoddy Tides, Eastport, ME

Another name change and the announcement of a new partner for a proposed Calais area liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility were revealed this past week. The third proposed LNG company in the Quoddy area, BP Consulting LLC, has undergone two name changes. In addition, Cianbro Corp. President Peter Vigue, of the Pittsfield-based construction company, confirmed that an agreement has been reached with the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township to develop the proposed Calais LNG facility. (Nov 25)

Local group tours LNG site, returns with favorable reviews — Quoddy Tides, Eastport, ME

Eight Robbinston residents participated in a visit to the Dominion Cove Point liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility located on the Chesapeake Bay in Cove Point, Md., south of Baltimore. The three-day trip, which commenced on November 12, was sponsored by Downeast LNG, the Washington, D.C.-based company that proposes to build an LNG terminal and storage facilities at Mill Cove in Robbinston. (Nov 25)

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: The Dominion Cove Point LNG facility is targeted for takeover by Russia's Gazprom gas monopoly, the same company that has recently gotten into trouble for monopolistic pricing. A principal supplier to Cove Point is Shell, the same company that — in partnership with Gazprom — is abusing indigenous and environmental rights in Sakhalin, Russia, and in Nigeria. BP (British Petroleum), the same company that has a lousy corporate safety culture, and — due to a 2005 Texas refinery explosion that killed 15 and injured around 170 — was just fined tens of millions of dollars for wilfully violating safety and health regulations, and is also involved at Cove Point LNG.

These companies at Maryland's Dominion Cove Point are an unsavory lot, and have proven to be bad neighbors elsewhere in the world. Instead of vilifying these abusers, Girdis and Downeast LNG are holding them up as being an exemplary corporate neighbor.]

Aquaculture, tourism and LNG county economic summit topics — Quoddy Tides, Eastport, ME

During the day, the governor did meet separately with the Save Passamaquoddy Bay 3-Nation Alliance. The group submitted a list of formal requests. The governor was asked to: declare that all development activities related to LNG in Passamaquoddy Bay cease immediately, pending the outcome of the Whole Bay Study due in the spring of 2006 and the Bay Management Study due in January 2007.... (Nov 25)

Report sees future in energy and second homes — Quoddy Tides, Eastport, ME

But [an LNG facility] would also open up the possibility of the development of as much as 500 MW of cogeneration at the Domtar plant, giving that facility a new lease on life. (Nov 25)

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: If Flanagan had actually spoken with the Maritimes and Downeast Pipeline personnel, as did this site's webmaster at the pipeline's late November open house in Baileyville, he might have learned that a Washington County LNG import facility isn't necessary in order to provide a cogeneration plant at Domtar. Domtar merely needs to ask for a pipeline spur from the Baileyville compression station — something that they haven't done, according to Maritimes and Downeast Pipeline.]

Downeast LNG promises training and local hiring where possible — Quoddy Tides, Eastport, ME

Downeast LNG presented a preliminary list of positions for the company's proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) project at a meeting held November 17 at the Robbinston Grade School. (Nov 25)

[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: Did Downeast LNG offer anyone a job? — Downeast LNG doesn't actually have any jobs to offer. Their "job seminar" at the Robbinston Grade School was merely hollow propaganda.]

Sakhalin 2 still not rejected by EBRD in spite of increased violations from Shell [News Release] — Pacific Environment, Pacific Rim

EBRD Conceals Report on Controversial Sakhalin Project [News Release] — Pacific Environment, Pacific Rim

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