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Judge To Rule On Public Access To Tribal LNG Meetings — WLBZ-TV, Bangor, ME
Lawyers for the Bangor Daily News and The Quoddy Tides argued that the tribe is subject to the state's Freedom of Access Law.
Flanagan's Washington County report important [Op-ed column] — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME
Here's the answer. If an LNG plant is sited along Washington County's coast, the state should charge a hefty fee for any pipes or facilities sitting on top of state submerged lands (which are impossible to miss), and use the revenue to support the economic development recommendations of this report. (Nov 28)
[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: Mr. Unobskey's suggestion should include the requisite that before any submerged land lease is given, there must be an unbiased scientific assessment of the submerged land to assure that — unlike the conditions of the St. Croix River and Passamaquoddy Bay — no toxic deposits sit beneath the bottom that would be released into the environment when a pier or jetty is constructed.]
Strong Opposition Voiced To LNG Terminal Plan — Day, New London, CT [Free subscription required]
Broadwater Energy's proposal for L.I. Sound operation gets no support during public hearing.
Fewer Object to Gas Project — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, CA
Even so, state Public Utilities Commission officials oppose siting a terminal in the densely populated harbor area, warning that a terrorist attack, earthquake or accident could cause catastrophic damage. A nationally known expert hired by the commission recently concluded a fire could kill or burn people within three miles, an area that includes downtown Long Beach and 130,000 residents.
With the last two public hearings on that environmental report scheduled for today and Thursday, the proposal could become a test case that pits the safety concerns of state officials against the Bush administration's desire to fast-track approvals for such terminals. [Bold emphasis added.]
DOE Seeks Comments on Natural Gas Supply and Demand — Office of Fossil Energy, US Department of Energy
The Department of Energy today announced that it is seeking public and stakeholder comments on the outlook for natural gas supply and demand, as requested by Congress and the recently enacted Energy Policy Act of 2005.
Comments should be submitted no later than December 29, 2005. (Nov 29)
[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: The DOE is not asking for — but should be sent by the public, through this comment procedure — concerns about LNG facilities siting related to public safety and effects on local economy.]
An LNG company with a lack of corporate safety culture:
USA: BP could have prevented deadly blast — Trades Union Congress, London, England
In August, as a result of the explosion and other incidents at BP refineries, CSB issued an unprecedented 'urgent recommendation' calling on BP to establish an independent panel to review a range of safety management and culture issues in its North American operations. The members of the panel were announced last week. It will be headed by former secretary of state James Baker, who ran election campaigns for three Republican presidents and whose law firm and institute have had recent financial links to BP. [Bold emphasis added] (Nov 5)
UK giant BP faces flak over £12m safety fine deal — Trades Union Congress, London, England
US steelworkers' union USW welcomed the US$21,361,500 (£12.1m) OSHA penalty but said it was wrong the matter was settled behind closed doors between the company and OSHA before any safety citations were issued. USW president Leo W Gerard said the 'settlement should have happened after a citation, not before,' the more usual procedure which allows workers and the public to scrutinise the alleged safety offences. Where a company contests a citation, workers and their union have a right to participate in the process. In the BP case, the settlement talks took place in private and the union was excluded.
'Penalties are supposed to hurt, and this one represents less than half a day of BP's corporate income. It doesn't even cover what BP saved by not making the safety improvements that would have prevented the March 23 explosion.' [Bold emphasis added.] (Oct 1)
USA/UK: UK review as BP could face crime unit probe — Hazards Magazine, UK
...BP faces rumours of a probe by a criminal investigations unit in the US.... (Aug 27)
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Suit asks access to meetings on LNG: Tribe disputes papers' argument — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME
The Passamaquoddy Tribe is subject to the state's Freedom of Access Law, and tribal council meetings about a proposed liquefied natural gas facility in Washington County should be open to the public, attorneys for two Maine newspapers argued Monday in Cumberland County Superior Court.
Bernard J. Kubetz of Bangor, the BDN's attorney, told the court Monday that in May 2001 the Maine Supreme Judicial Court unanimously ruled that, under the 1980 Indian Claims Settlement Act, the relationship of the Penobscot and Passamaquoddy tribes to the state is akin to that of municipalities except when discussing exclusively tribal matters.
LNG proposal needs more time — Salem News, Salem, MA
The potential amount of ship traffic alone deserves careful study. A collision in that area could be tragic, if not disastrous.
High court to rule on N.J.-Del. dispute — Philadelphia Daily News, Philadelphia, PA
The U.S. Supreme Court is stepping in to resolve a brewing border war between New Jersey and Delaware.
Cold Winter = Power Problems? — CBS News
Any natural-gas cutoffs would primarily affect electric-power plants and factories fueled by gas, not homes, and be most likely in the Northeast.
[WEBMASTER'S COMMENT: The Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline has previously stated that Maine will not experience any natural gas shortages this winter.]
Lawmakers mull relief for gas spike — Gwinnett Daily Post, Gwinnett County, GA
"I hesitate to make these short-term (tax) breaks that may be politically expedient but don’t solve anything in the long term," said Sen. Steve Henson, D-Tucker, whose district includes portions of western Gwinnett County.
Energy board calls for review of gas demand — Gloucester County Times, Gloucester, MA [Paid subscription required]
Officials with a state energy board this week told federal regulators a full assessment of natural gas demand in the region is needed before a liquefied natural gas terminal can be constructed by Excelerate Energy in the fishing grounds known as Block 125. (Nov 28)
International Coordination and Outreach Strategy to Enhance Security — Marine Link
The US Department of State ... signed the International Coordination and Outreach Strategy to Enhance Maritime Security ... [providing] a framework to coordinate all maritime security initiatives undertaken with foreign governments and international organizations.... (Nov 28)
Gazprom Concludes First Swap of Pipeline Gas for LNG — LNG Express
The LNG cargo will be sold to Shell Western LNG and will be delivered to the eastern US receiving terminal, Cove Point, located in Maryland, in early December this year. (Nov 28)
[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: Gazprom has previously announced that it wants to leverage Russian LNG into ownership of the Dominion Cove Point LNG terminal. Gazprom is also a partner with Shell in indigenous rights violations and environmental violations at Sakhalin, Russia. Shell is a primary LNG supplier to Dominion Cove Point LNG terminal. If the Russian monopoly soon owns the Cove Point LNG terminal — the same terminal that Downeast LNG holds up as a model for their proposed Mill Cove LNG facility in Robbinston, Maine — and if the Downeast LNG facility were built, would the Russian Gazprom monopoly also end up owning the Mill Cove plant, and controlling a large chunk of the LNG/gas supply entering at both ends of New England?]
A terminal case [Editorial] — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, CA
[T]estimony from an expert hired by the California Public Utilities Commission suggested that a tanker spill could kill or cause second-degree burns up to three miles away. Downtown Long Beach is two miles from the proposed terminal. (Nov 28)
LNG means prosperity [Letter to the editor] — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME
There will be growth in supporting industries as well, and we, the people of Washington County, can regulate just what those industries will be. (Nov 28) [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 means prosperity".]
[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: It's ironic and naive that this letter writer believes all industries can be regulated by local people, when we can't even regulate the LNG facilities that would, if successfully completed, bring those other industries here.]
LNG: Two sides of Passamaquoddy Bay [Op-ed column] — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME
If both sides of the Passamaquoddy were American, and St. Andrews were an American resort, there would be no prospect for LNG on this unique part of the seaboard. (Nov 26)
Dominion urges FERC to drop utility claims against Cove Point LNG — Platts [Free registration required]
In April, Washington Gas said a significant increase in gas leaks in its Prince George's County, Maryland, distribution system was caused by the deterioration of seals within mechanical couplings that connect sections of distribution mains and service lines. (Nov 23)
In the next window, click on link that matches the following text.
| 23-Nov-2005 |
Dominion urges FERC to drop utility claims against Cove Point LNG |
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Bear Head LNG project gets green light — Canada.com
The Utility and Review Board has given the green light for the construction of two large storage tanks at the Bear Head site in Point Tupper. (Nov 22)
Open Water vs. Broadwater — Day, New London, CT [Free subscription required]
“Between Connecticut, New York and the federal government, we've put a half a billion dollars into restoring and protecting Long Island Sound over the last 10 years. We didn't do that to then turn it over to the energy industry.” (Nov 20)
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In-Ground LNG Storage Tanks: Providing environmentally friendly in-ground LNG storage tanks renowned for their high-level of safety — Tokyo Gas, Tokyo, Japan
In-ground LNG storage tanks are only partially visible from the outside of the terminal site making them difficult to be targeted by terrorists. Furthermore, since the LNG is stored below the ground surface, in the unlikely event of a terrorist attack or the concrete roof being destroyed by a projectile, the LNG would not leak onto the ground. Accordingly, the tanks are accredited with the European standard EN1473, making them the safest way to store LNG.
In an earthquake the seismic motion is not amplified for in-ground storage tanks when compared to above-ground structures making them safer in earthquake-prone regions. In order to make the tanks much safer from terrorist attacks, tank roofs can be lined with reinforced concrete or the roof of the tanks can be completely underground.
[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: Since these in-ground — and also underground — LNG storage tanks being used in Japan are safer for the public, are safer against terrorist attack, are safer against seismic activity, and are at comparable cost to above-ground storage tanks, why isn't the FERC requiring the use of this technology for US facilities? (Thanks to LNG Community Focus for bringing this issue to our attention.)]
Dangerous dependence on natural gas [Opinion] — Providence Journal, Providence, RI
Russian President Vladimir Putin makes no secret of his plan to establish a natural-gas cartel, patterned on the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries [OPEC]. Apart from the political leverage that Russia would gain, there is the matter of gas prices.
Just a few years ago, natural gas was selling for $2 per million British thermal units; earlier this year, the price was $6. Recently, hurricane damage to Gulf Coast production facilities sent the price soaring to $14. And it could go higher, if we have an unusually cold winter.
[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: While the author is correct regarding the problems with our dependence on gas, his statement that nuclear power emits no global-warming gases is a red herring. Nuclear power creates "new" heat and emits it into the atmosphere. Renewable sources of power, such as biomass, generate heat, but that heat comes from a net zero short-term heat production process:
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Radioactive material was created with the Earth, so no contemporary heat is consumed to create it; thus — like heat from coal, gas, or oil — heat produced through nuclear fission is "new" heat, and therefore contributes to global temperature rise.]
Pricing of LNG a question not yet even asked [Opinion] — Ventura County Star, Ventura, CA
State officials from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on down accept as gospel truth contentions from the sponsoring companies that California must have energy from these foreign LNG sources in the near future. No evidentiary hearing has ever been held on the issue, and unless the courts force one soon, it will be time for Californians to stop worrying about whether we get LNG and focus instead on the next question: How much will it cost?
With that strong possibility in mind, does anyone smell something fishy in the exclusive supply arrangements set up for each of the planned LNG plants?
Hazards should scuttle this idea [Opinion] — Portland Tribune, Portland, OR
Government officials have used limited studies to make their case for LNG safety. The public must now demand more transparency and new regulations that call for actual, not computer-modeled, tests to establish proven exposure zones to give us peace of mind.
LNG proponents point to expected shortage of natural gas — WHDH-TV, Boston, MA
One option being trumpeted by Rhode Island Gov. Don Carcieri and others is two new LNG terminals being built in Canada that can use an existing underground pipeline to send gas to New England.
Final public hearing set for LNG facility in L.I. Sound — WTNH-TV, New Haven, CT
Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is expected to oppose an energy proposal that would place a floating natural gas storage facility in Long Island Sound. (Nov 24)
Shell pays for Sakhalin-2 up front — Russian News & Information Agency, Russia
Gazprom has announced the second shipment of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the United States. The fuel will be sold in early December to Shell Western LNG, a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell. In response Shell may look to Gazprom's good will on the Sakhalin-2 project. [Search the page for "BIZNES"] (Nov 24)
French to Swap LNG for Russian Gas — Moscow Times, Moscow, Russia
Gazprom has agreed to swap gas it supplies Europe by pipelines for liquefied natural gas from Gaz de France, then deliver the LNG to Shell Western LNG in the United States. (Nov 24)
Indonesia to cut LNG exports by up to 10% — China Post, Taiwan
Indonesia's PT Badak NGL, the world's biggest liquefied natural gas plant, may cut exports by as much as 10 percent next year because of falling gas supplies from fields operated by BP Plc, Eni SpA and Chevron Corp. (Oct 22)
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Coastline near Lubec suitable for LNG [Op-ed column] — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME
So the question has to be asked: Why are some people dead set on siting LNG terminals in highly populated areas, accessed only through an ecologically sensitive site, where they will have the maximum negative impact on a great many people on both sides of the border, and the American government is forced to request permission from the Canadian government?
[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: Although the writer doesn't have all the details correct*, the basic point is right on the money.
* The Lubec site being considered is in North Lubec, which is a considerable distance from the bridge; freighter passage through Head Harbour Passage doesn't typically require advance permission from the Canadian government, other than the normal document requirements at the time of actual passage; however, Canada does have the option to prevent LNG ships from transiting the passage, due to the health and economic hazards they pose to Canada.]
Down East Review [Editorial] — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME
The cumulative sense from the report is that Maine knows how to make the many reforms and financial investments necessary to improve Washington County's economy, but needs the long-term commitment — or at least a long-term attention span - to stick with the reforms. (Nov 19)
Suit challenges tribe's lease — Quoddy Tides, Eastport, ME
Bridges is concerned that tribal members did not have the opportunity to read the lease. Bridges, who tried to see the lease, says, "They just brushed me off. (Nov 11) [NOTE: This link leads to an authorized copy of the story.]
Petition calls for informed vote — Quoddy Tides, Eastport, ME
A petition calling for a referendum vote for Robbinston residents on the location of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal and any related facilities in the town was presented on November 5 to Robbinston Town Clerk Pam Reynolds. The petition also asks that the vote not be held until an impact study of the Passamaquoddy Bay LNG proposals is completed. (Nov 11) [NOTE: This link leads to an authorized copy of the story.]
Energy analysts predict a [sic] L-N-G shortage within five years — WPRI TV, Providence, RI
Most state and local leaders are opposed to the plan due to security concerns.
Shipbuilders Cash In on Special Vessels — Korea Times, Seol, Republic of Korea
The LNG ship has become a lucrative business for shipbuilders, as a 145,000-cubic-meter carrier is now being sold for around $270 million.
Freeport LNG facility steadily taking shape — thefacts.com, Brazoria County, TX
The Texas Gulf Coast could be dotted with LNG terminals in the future, pending individual facilities’ approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Quintana is poised to host the first as construction buzzes along on schedule, said Bill Henry, vice president of Freeport LNG, a limited partnership.
“We will be the first in Texas,” Henry said at Freeport LNG’s Houston office. “And, if we can build most or all of what we’re building in Phase II, we would be the world’s largest terminal.” (Nov 20)
Cianbro, Passamaquoddy reach LNG deal — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME
[Cianbro President Peter Vigue], who said he had cut his teeth working with the Dicenzo Corp. Construction Co. in Calais, said he was very supportive of efforts in Washington County. "All we are trying to do is assist efforts and bring some economic development to Washington County and improve the well-being of those people who live in that area, as well as maybe provide some additional alternatives to the energy challenges that we face here." (Nov 19)
[WEBMASTER'S COMMENT: Cianbro, if it actually continues a relationship with Calais LNG, will be contaminating marine species that are eaten by Passamaquoddy Tribal members, along with the general public. They'll also be assisting ethics violations by the two members of Maines Legislature who are partners in Calais LNG. That's not assisting the well-being of anyone! See LNG Developers > Developer #3: Calais LNG.]
Qatar-US launch huge LNG refinery project — Gulf Daily News, Bahrain
Qatar and Washington have launched a joint project to build the world's largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) refinery mostly for export to the US, in a $14 billion strategic alliance between the two countries. (Nov 19)
Report: LNG would boost Down East — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME
In his recommendations, Flanagan advises that the state should take steps to fulfill its leadership role on LNG, which has become a point of contention in coastal Washington County communities. (Nov 18)
[WEBMASTER'S COMMENT: In spite of the glowing headline, Flanagan's actual report paints a more conservative picture for siting LNG. He doesn't specify where in Washington County an LNG facility should be located (President Nixon, in the 1970s, thought Machias was an excellent site; perhaps it is better than the proposed locations), and he indicates that the current proposals haven't demonstrated an ability to complete their projects.]
Centering the LNG Debate [Editorial] — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME
This is where CLF [Conservation Law Foundation] comes in. The group, which has a history of trying to solve problems through compromise, has long advocated for more natural gas to replace dirtier coal and oil, which also carries a political price tag since much of it comes from the Middle East.
Locating an LNG terminal is a local issue, but adoption or rejection of development plans should be proceeded by consideration of broader public interests, such as lower energy bills, a diversified energy source and pollution reduction. That debate is overdue here. (Nov 18)
[WEBMASTER'S COMMENT: The editorial fails to point out that CLF is aggressively opposing siting an LNG terminal offshore, on Outer Brewster Island, in Massachussetts, because the facility would be on recreation land.
The Bangor Daily News editorial staff — as it has repeatedly done on this issue — also fails to recognize the emminent importance of Passamaquoddy Bay as a nursery to the Bay of Fundy and as a lobster nursery to a great portion of the coast of Maine. (See "The Lobster Coast," by Colin Woodard, Viking Press.)]
North Coast sings out against LNG — Daily Astorian, Astoria, OR
Grumblings from the full house at the community center started when Hansen said the company was looking for a site that wouldn’t impact an airport, continued when he talked about looking for a site where visual impacts and required dredging were minimal, and grew to incredulous laughter and dissent when he started talking about acceptable seismic and tsunami zones.
[David Shannon] said that while Calpine says other agencies will ensure the health of the air and waterways, he pointed to the Houston Ship Channel and Los Angeles smog as examples of how the federal government doesn’t protect the environment.
"It is very difficult for the public to have confidence in the decisions made by the Warrenton Planning Commission when it appears that the entire process is being conducted, not by the Planning Commission, but the city staff and attorneys, specifically at the behest of the applicant," Sue Skinner read from the letter. (Nov 18)
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Vt. firm hired to supply LNG impact study — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME
Positive or negative, the answers and analyses that emerge from the independent report by a Vermont research firm likely will provide more information than the public has been privy to since LNG proposals first surfaced for coastal Washington County 18 months ago.
Some New Englanders looks [sic] to Canadian pipelines as answer to natural gas needs — Boston Globe, Boston, MA [Free registration required]
One option being trumpeted by Rhode Island Gov. Don Carcieri and others is: two new LNG terminals being built in Canada that can use an existing underground pipeline to send gas to New England.
Maine Gov. John Baldacci has said he would consider supporting a well-planned site in his state.
[WEBMASTER'S COMMENT: Contrary to what he said regarding planning, Gov. Baldacci is encouraging LNG sites in Passamaquoddy Bay — even before anyone knows if they are well-planned and appropriate or not. Since the state won't do an objective study of the comprehensive effects of these LNG proposals, the Whole Bay Study commissioned by Save Passamaquoddy Bay is doing it.]
LNG grants announced — Northern Sentinel, Kitimat, BC
Three local organizations are going to get federal money to allow them to participate in the environmental assessment process for the Kitimat LNG project.
Kitamaat Village council, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Kitimat Valley Naturalists will receive close to $40,000 [among] them.
The Chamber will use its $5,500 to gather local feedback [re physical, economic, and social impacts] on the project and present it to both its members and the environmental assessment team, said manager Debbie Rocha.
As for the Village council, it will put the money towards conducting an environmental study of its own, said band office executive director Keith Nyce.
And the Kitimat Valley Naturalists will use its $4,000 to assess the effects of an LNG plant on Emsley Cove, said president April MacLeod. (Nov 16)
[WEBMASTER'S COMMENT: This approach — rather than merely relying on the developer's study, as is done in the U.S. — allows for more objective community involvement in the impact assessment.]
Movies inspire LNG safety — Gloucester County Times, Cloucester County, NJ
Mueller showed short videos, provided by the vendor, of two types of vehicle barriers, one for boats and the other for trucks.
The boat barrier would be a fence that, if hit by a boat, even one moving fast, expands into a mesh net to stop the boat within 10 or 15 feet without destroying it.
Sides Square Off For LNG Terminal Battle — Gazettes.com, Long Beach, CA
Some speakers focused on what they saw as flaws in the EIR, particularly regarding safety issues.
“The federal standards ([that] the project must meet to be deemed safe) may be acceptable standards for the federal government, but they are not for Long Beach,” said activist Bry Myone.
Ship to shore transfer - a new approach — OilOnline [from an article in Offshore Engineer]
In the oil and petrochemical industry, similar constraints have led to the adoption of SPM [Single Point Mooring] terminals both for existing and new terminals.... These have proven to be very cost effective as there is no need to develop an extensive port infrastructure, eg channel dredging, breakwaters, and jetties. Also the operation is more efficient and safe as navigation of congested waterways is circumvented, whilst the berthing of tankers at the SPM can take place with minimum tug assistance with vessels of virtually any size.
[I]t is an established fact that SPM systems allow safe and efficient transfer of hydrocarbons in unsheltered waters.
The use of weathervaning moorings and transfer systems for the LNG carriers at a large distance from the LNG storage and/or re-gasification plant should be given serious consideration for the following reasons:
- Improved terminal siting.
- Superior marine operations.
- Expandability.
Terminals offshore, located far from populated areas and congested ports will heighten community acceptance and reduce security concerns. (Oct 27)
[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: Offshore terminal siting makes the most sense, and is preferable, according to the above LNG industry article. The local LNG project proponents — at the advice of their own industry — need to move their projects out of Passamaquoddy Bay.]
Industry Leaders predict growing need for improved natural gas infrastructure — OilOnline
"[T]he most significant risks are related more to onshore and downstream assets than to offshore E&P [Exploration and Production] assets.” (Nov 16)
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Developer: LNG [sic*] pipeline requires upgrades — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME
Taylor said local developers have not asked for space in the pipeline.
[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS:
The Maritimes and Northeast Pipeline expansion will only have capacity to carry gas coming from Canada; it will not be able to accommodate gas from any of the proposed LNG terminals in Passamaquoddy Bay.
* Terminology Note: The pipeline is actually a Natural Gas (NG) pipeline, not an LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) pipeline, although some sources of the natural gas in the pipeline will eventually come from imported LNG. The source of natural gas in the pipeline currently comes entirely from natural gas wells on Sable Island, Nova Scotia.]
LNG points to ponder [Letter to the editor] — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME
Again we have big business from out-of-state telling us what to do. Plus, to add insult to injury, we have two Maine state representatives - Fred Moore and Ian Emery - trying to cash in on this boondoggle and ignoring the desires of their constituents who want no liquefied natural gas. [NOTE: To find the letter using the above link, search the page for "LNG points to ponder".]
New LNG plan puts focus on Boston Harbor — Providence Journal, Providence, RI [Free subscription required]
"It's a really bad idea for a bill to cynically say it is establishing a fair and open process and by its language sets up a sweetheart deal for one big company with political connections," said Jim Gomes, president of the Environmental League of Massachusetts.
Acknowledging the looming natural gas shortage, Bradley said, "There are numerous ways to do this without the significant safety, environmental and FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] concerns that this particular project has. And, if you get over that, there's (sic) ways of doing that without closing a national park district."
Calpine LNG zone change request on Warrenton agenda Thursday — Daily Astorian, Astoria, OR
Skipanon Natural Gas, LLC, a subsidiary of Calpine, has requested that 40 acres of East Skipanon Peninsula shorelands be rezoned to Especially Suited Water Development Shoreland with Industrial-2, and 56 acres of adjacent aquatic areas be rezoned to Aquatic Development. (Nov 15)
Increase in Seaport Security Funding is Proposed — MarineLink.com
The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), the organization representing public ports throughout the Western Hemisphere, lauded Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Patty Murray (D-WA) for introducing a bill in the U.S. Senate that includes revisions and clarifications to the Department of Homeland Security’s Port Security Grant program. (Nov 15)
Shell Ordered to Stop Wasteful, Poisonous 'Gas Flaring' in Nigeria — Common Dreams
Multinational oil companies were ordered by Nigeria's highest court this week to stop engaging in a decades-old process that indigenous and environmental rights groups say has been poisoning the oil-rich area where Africa's Niger River meets the Atlantic Ocean. (Nov 15)
[WEBMASTER'S COMMENT: Here — along with their rights violations toward the people of Sakhalin, Russia — is another example of Shell's violation of indigenous rights in another part of the world, not to mention their wasteful, environment-damaging practices. Shell is involved in the LNG industry in the US.]
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Devil's Head project needs volunteers — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME
Located on U.S. Route 1, the 340-foot-high Devil's Head is the highest headland in the state north of Acadia National Park.
It is believed the Passamaquoddy may have used Devil's Head as a fishing and occupation site at various intervals between the early Ceramic period, more than 2,000 years ago, up to the early 1800s.
Today the 315-acre site is a popular hiking trail. Two years ago, the Maine Conservation Corps and volunteers built a 1.5-mile gently climbing trail there.
[WEBMASTER'S COMMENT: Adjacent to Devil's Head is where St. Croix Consulting proposes to locate an LNG terminal.]
Spain's Repsol eyes capacity lease or stake in US LNG terminal — Platts [Free registration required]
Our View: Douglas Foy and LNG plan [Opinion] — Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA
There is no fault in being too careful where ethics in government is concerned.
[H]aving officials with connections to private companies involved in decision-making that affects those companies in any way is bad practice.
[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: Baldacci's Ethical Quagmire
Unfortunately, ethics is an issue that is lost on Maine Representative Ian Emery, Representative Fred Moore Jr., and Governor John Baldacci. Emery and Moore are both supposedly representing their constituency, and are proposing to develop their own LNG terminal at Red Beach in Calais (which will negatively affect their legislative districts) — while also being members of Gov. Baldacci's "Washington County Economic Development Task Force." As members of the task force they will be making recommendations regarding LNG terminal siting — perhaps even their own — but they don't see anything wrong with being on both sides of the fence, and apparently, neither does Gov. Baldacci!
These two Representatives need to either divest themselves of the LNG project, or as members of Baldacci's committee. If they, themselves, won't do it, then Gov. Baldacci needs to take corrective action to right this ethical quagmire by removing them from his "task force."]
To LNG or not to LNG in L.B.? — Press-Telegram, Long Beach, CA
Environmentally safe and affordable energy solution or dangerous potential terrorist target?
[WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: Has the State of California or the City of Longbeach put forward an objective and comprehensive study of the impacts to the community from the proposed LNG terminal — as Harpswell, Maine, did, and as Save Passamaquoddy Bay 3-Nation Alliance is doing with its Whole Bay Study — or is it simply relying on the LNG proponents' propaganda and FERC?]
From aboard the Sea Mist, LNG proposal is an environmental hazard and eyesore — Branford Review, Branford, CT
Although the terminal could satisfy the energy needs of an estimated four million homes, DeLauro said that other alternatives should be sought out instead of "jeopardizing resources like the Long Island Sound and small businesses like Midtown Fisheries with proposals like Broadwater." (Nov 14)
New direction for natural gas: Northwest — Seattle Times, Seattle, WA
"What this would do is turn this stretch of the river into an industrial ditch," said Ted Messing of Brownsmead, Ore., one of the activists fighting the proposed LNG terminals on the Columbia.
So, What's Going On With Vallejo? [Opinion] — Vallejo News, Vallejo, CA
Taking a big step backwards and looking at the many problems that plague or city, the best solution I can come up with is strong leadership. But there is a leadership vacuum in town. This became most evident during the LNG debacle. Our representatives, starting at the top and working down through city staff, nobody seemed to notice the obvious problems with the project. In ten minutes of research on a computer, an average citizen could figure out that an LNG terminal could be a serious problem for our city. But we have to have study after study, hire experts be wishy washy up until the answer is so obvious that there is no denying it. (Nov 14)
Environmental Report on Gas Plant Sparks Heated Debate — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, CA
A final environmental report on the proposed Long Beach plant is to be done by spring.
Gazprom group set monopoly prices on LNG – FAS — New Europe, European Weekly
A commission of the Federal Anti-Monopoly Service (FAS) said at a meeting last Tuesday that there were violations on the liquefied natural gas (LNG) market, FAS said in a release. FAS said the dominant players on the market - Gazprom, AK Sibur, OAO Gazenergoset and ZAO Siburgazservice - set a high monopoly price for LNG it sold. The FAS said the parties acting for Gazprom were in violation of the law on competition. (Nov 13 – 19 issue)
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Lambert’s list — Herald News, Fall River, MA
"We have to kill it in order to make progress in all other areas," [Mayor Edward M. Lambert, Jr.] said. "Stopping that project is vital to the community’s future. It was never part of our planning process. It picked us, but we have to stop it." (Nov 13)
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Downeast LNG hosts jobs seminar on November 17 — Portland Press Herald, Portland, ME
Girdis stressed that the jobs seminar is an informational program and not a jobs fair where people can actually fill out applications for positions. He said construction of the proposed facility probably won’t begin for another two years given the extensive permitting process, but that area residents have encouraged him to keep the project moving forward.
A representative of the Washington County Community College will discuss training opportunities through the college and from other sources. [Emphasis added.] (Nov 11)
[WEBMASTER'S COMMENT: Girdis knows that his project has almost no chance of coming to fruition. There is no construction project, there are no Girdis-project LNG jobs, there is no application with FERC, there are no permits, community opposition is mounting, the need for an additional natural gas supplier to New England is diminishing, and Canada is likely to prevent LNG tankers from entering the bay. Girdis is improperly attempting to use tax-funded Washington County Community College as a propaganda tool for his unlikely project.]
Firm studies pipeline expansion: Open houses set for public plan preview — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME
Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline LLC, which ships natural gas through Maine to Massachusetts, is hoping to triple its capacity and is holding regional open house events all next week to allow residents to preview their plans. (Nov 11)
Brewster Island LNG Debate Heats Up — LNG Express
The exclusionary language has garnered considerable attention lately, particularly in light of the recent recusal of Douglas Foy, secretary of the Office of Commonwealth Development, because of financial ties to AES through his individual retirement account. (Nov 11)
LNG comment period starts Monday — Press Telegram, Long Beach, CA
The public can comment on a draft environmental and safety report on the liquefied natural gas terminal proposed for the Port of Long Beach beginning next week. The first of four public hearings will take place at 6 p.m. Monday in Council Chambers. Opponents of the controversial project said they plan to protest outside.
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No closed LNG meetings — Saint Croix Courier, St. Stephen, NB [Paid subscription required]
LNG terminal bill favors just one firm — Boston Globe, Boston, MA
A bill that would allow a liquefied natural gas terminal to be built on Outer Brewster Island excludes every company that has proposed building a facility in Massachusetts except the company that first floated the idea: AES Corp. of Arlington, Va.
Environmental groups raised concerns about the bill's exclusionary language about a week after Douglas Foy, secretary of the state Office of Commonwealth Development, recused himself from the issue because of his financial ties to the company, after discussions with Governor Mitt Romney's legal counsel. Foy, the state's top development official, acknowledged to the Globe in September that part of his individual retirement account stock was invested with AES.
[WEBMASTER'S COMMENT: An ironic twist: Foy is a former executive-director and former president of the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF), which has taken a position opposing the use of Outer Brewster Island for an LNG terminal.]
CLF Weighs in on Proposed Deepwater LNG Port: CLF Urges Study to Focus on Marine Environment Impacts and Regional LNG Needs — CLF News, Conservation Law Foundation, Boston, MA (Newsletter by paid subscription.)
CLF filed scoping comments on Excelerate Energy’s “Northeast Gateway Energy Bridge” proposal, urging the U.S. Coast Guard to examine closely the marine environmental impacts of the port and to conduct a regional LNG needs assessment in the required Environmental Impact Study. [Not yet available online.]
LNG terminal in firing range [Opinion] — Ventura County Star, Ventura, CA
BHP Billiton plans to place a floating liquefied natural gas regasification terminal in the area of this missile testing sea range. This is tantamount to proposing to place the largest bomb imaginable in front of a firing range. And the opinions of the firing range people have not been requested.
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Protecting a homeland [Letter to editor] — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME
It would be convenient to point an accusing finger at Quoddy Bay of Oklahoma City as the sole bad guys in this scenario, but many people walk the halls in Maine's statehouse who have turned a deaf ear to pleas for fairness and justice. In the 18 months we have engaged in this struggle, not a single state politico has stepped forward to ensure a fair and honorable process. It is unconscionable that the very agency that was created to protect Native Americans has put itself in a position where they have to be sued to force them to do the right thing.
Lambert rides LNG opposition to re-election in Fall River — Standard-Times, New Bedford, MA
Mayor Lambert's vow to "kill with a thousand paper cuts" a proposal to build a liquefied natural gas facility on the city's waterfront increased his popularity with voters.
State Paying Thousands To Revamp Possible LNG Terminal — WCVB-TV, Boston, MA
The bill AES drafted is somewhat atypical on Beacon Hill, because it contains a preamble making it an emergency law, and because it proposes the transfer of public land to a private developer.
That transfer would require a vote of two-thirds of both the House and the Senate, something AES initially hoped to achieve by the end of the legislative session next week. While Dempsey has introduced the bill in the House, it has yet to be introduced in the Senate.
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AP Exclusive: Romney tells Foy to recuse self on LNG project because of stock holding — Boston Globe, Boston, MA
In his interview with the AP, Foy said conflicts are inevitable for him, since he has worked for and against virtually all of the LNG players during his prior tenure as president of the Conservation Law Foundation [CLF].
[WEBMASTER'S NOTE: The CLF keeps popping up on this issue. Although officers (including President Phil Warburg) of the CLF has — and in person — insisted to Save Passamaquoddy Bay 3-Nation Alliance that they don't get involved with LNG siting until after an application with FERC has been submitted, the CLF has already taken an official position (See "Southern New England LNG Proposals", "Boston Harbor LNG Proposal Critically Flawed", "LNG Proposal on Boston Harbor Islands Inappropriate") opposing siting a the AES Battery Rock LNG terminal on Outer Brewster Island, even though no application to FERC has been made. In fact, no application can be made with FERC until the LNG developer has control of the property it wants to use.) The CLF is exhibiting a serious inconsistency in their so-called official policy, bringing into question their credibility and intent.]
Van Zandt: Pirate attack - This is not a drill [Commentary] — MSNBC
About one-third of the 400-plus cases of "recorded" pirate attacks in a recent year happened in the waters around Indonesia, while incidents off the coast of Somalia have increased 800 percent in the last year.
One of the many concerns is that some of the pirates who climb aboard a hijacked ship in order to learn how to drive it, may someday seize control of a large tanker laden with chemicals, explosives, fuel oil, or liquefied natural gas.
One only has to think back 20 years to remember when the cruise ship Achille Lauro was boarded by terrorists off the coast of Egypt and American Leon Klinghoffer murdered. Yet, our memory of this incident and the threat it portends, seems to have been left behind in our collective social wake. (Nov 7)
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Petitioners seek LNG vote delay pending study — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME
On Saturday, opponent Richard Berry of Robbinston presented Robbinston Town Clerk Pam Reynolds a petition asking for a delay of the vote. More than 70 people signed the petition. The group Save Passamaquoddy Bay is behind the effort.
Whether voters were for or against a proposed LNG project, the study will offer insight into the economic and environmental impact a terminal would have on the area, opponent Suzanne Crawford of Robbinston said Saturday.
"This is the kind of study that economically should have been done by the state for the bay," she said. "None was done. ... If we're going to live and be stewards of this land as the [Passamaquoddy tribes (sic)] have been for years, then we have to look at it as a whole."
LNG plants build jobs [Letter to the editor] — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME
I, for one, would like to see our children not have to leave their hometowns in order to make a decent living. If all three proposed LNG plants are opened they will provide 150 to 200 jobs. [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 plants build jobs".]
[WEBMASTER'S NOTE: Of course, this letter writer minimizes and ignores the potential negative consequences that LNG terminals may bring. That's why the "Quoddy Region Whole Bay Study" is being commissioned by Save Passamaquoddy Bay 3-Nation Alliance: to find out the actual comprehensive economic and social impacts of such facilities.]
Chevron unit secures pipeline capacity to move LNG to US markets — Platts [Free registration required]
Subject to regulatory approvals, the proposed 137-mile pipeline would extend to Evangeline Parish, Louisiana, and connect with 11 interstate pipelines that serve the eastern half of the US.
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| 7-Nov-2005 |
Chevron unit secures pipeline capacity to move LNG to US markets |
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Montpelier non-profit is fired up over biomass fuels — Times Argus, Montpelier, VT
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With biomass, "we can switch our rural communities off fossil fuels and onto local resources," Maker said. "That's money that could be kept in the local regional economy instead of shipping it to energy companies in other parts of the country, or suppliers in other countries."
Biomass makes sense when the system is close to a source of wood. There's no size limit for the systems. All of downtown St. Paul, Minn., is heated — and cooled — with a 25-megawatt heat and power wood boiler, said Maker, who has an engineering degree. About 500,000 square feet of office space in Montpelier is heated by a central steam plant that gets half its heat from a wood boiler.
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Afloat In The Sound — Day, New London, CT
Proposed liquefied natural gas terminal would be first of its kind in the nation
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Split Rock divides LNG sides: Opponents hold smudging ceremony, discuss tribal lawsuit — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME
The action is against the Bureau of Indian Affairs and its parent agency, the Department of the Interior. Those agencies' roles in the BIA's approval last summer of the tribe's secretive land-lease agreement with Quoddy Bay LLC, the developer, are in question
Before tribal members could read through the Tribal Council's 86-page land-lease agreement last spring, the deal with the developer was signed on May 19. By request of the Tribal Council, the BIA expedited its approval of the agreement and signed off on the arrangement on June 1.
But the rest of the Passamaquoddy Tribe and the public were not informed until 37 days later - and after a 30-day window for appeals to the BIA had technically closed. (Nov 4)
LNG Foes Galvanized By Lawsuit Filed Against BIA — WQDY FM, Calais, ME
Tribal member David Moses Bridges said, "this whole lawsuit is a response to the process that we've been exposed to here in the last few years - manipulated information, closed meetings, and basically an un-democratic process, and we'll fight against that to protect this homeland."
Reading from a prepared statement, Jane Cook speaking for the Perry Citizens for Responsible Development said, "it would be convenient to point an accusing finger at Quoddy Bay of Oklahoma City as the sole bad guys in this scenario. But we have many people walking the halls in our state house in Augusta today who have turned a deaf ear to pleas for fairness and justice. In the 18-months we have engaged in this struggle, not a single state politico has stepped forward to ensure a fair and honorable process." (Nov 4)
LNG Lawsuit Filed Against Interior Officials — LNG Express
Two groups of members from the Passamaquoddy Tribe on Nov. 2 filed a federal lawsuit against officials of the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the DOI’s Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), claiming that the BIA failed to represent their views in its review of the proposed $400 million LNG terminal to be sited at Split Rock, located in Pleasant Point, Maine. (Nov 4)
New England Natural Gas Utilities Have Adequate Supplies to Meet Their Firm Customer Needs This Winter — PR Newswire
New England does draw natural gas from the Gulf Coast area and some of the region's winter supplies were impacted by the storms. However, much of the Gulf Coast gas continues to flow to the region today and more is expected back in the coming weeks. While some gas supplies will not be back onto the national system in time for the winter, NGA is pleased to note that the local gas companies serving the region have taken steps to confirm supply arrangements to make up for potential lost supplies from the Gulf area. (Nov 4)
Greenspan Says More LNG Needed — LNG Express
Testifying before the Joint Economic Committee on Nov. 3, outgoing Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan told Congress that the US must remove the restraints that hinder the construction of LNG receiving terminals. The chairman said that the gas industry was “operating at close to capacity” and was currently unable to import “large quantities of far cheaper” LNG. (Nov 7 edition)
[WEBMASTER'S NOTE: Interestingly, the price of LNG has risen dramatically, and there has already been one attempt to form an OPEC-like LNG cartel. "Far cheaper LNG" may be a Greenspan pipe dream.]
LNG Debate: Cruise ships could be forced to pull out — Newport Daily News, Newport, RI
Coast Guard Lt. Alford Danzy said it has not been decided how to handle cruise ships visiting when a tanker is making a delivery. Options run from making the ship pull anchor and move out of the security zone to having armed Coast Guard personnel aboard the ship until the tanker passes, he said.
[U.S. Rep. Barney Frank] blasts Hess LNG letter — Herald News, Fall River, MA
"Things are only ‘constitutionally flawed’ if they conflict with some provision of the Constitution," [Frank] said. "Hess’ failure to cite any such provision is of course an implicit admission by them that they know this is simply nonsense." (Nov 4)
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Passamaquoddy groups sue officials over LNG project — Portland Press Herald, Portland, ME
The suit claims the BIA failed to conduct an environmental assessment on the impacts of siting a major industrial facility at Split Rock, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act, and violated the National Historic Preservation Act by failing to consider the historic significance of the Split Rock site.
Passamaquoddy Groups Challenge Federal Action In LNG Proposal — WLBZ TV, Bangor, ME
No immediate response from the BIA.
LNG meetings planned — Saint Croix Courier, St. Stephen, NB
Island movies at festival — Saint Croix Courier, St. Stephen, NB
Quoddy Bay eyes Perry site for LNG tanks — Quoddy Tides, Eastport, ME
Quoddy Bay LLC has released an initial layout of the potential Perry LNG storage facility, which calls for three full containment LNG storage tanks, compressors, regasifiers and gas send-out facilities. The proposed facility would be located in between the Old Eastport Road and the Cannon Hill Road in southern Perry. The facility would be used to back up the supply of gas from the Split Rock import facility, approximately one and a half miles away. (Oct 28)
This expansion proposal is referred to as the Maritimes Phase IV Project. Currently in the U.S., Maritimes is proposing to construct and operate various segments of pipeline loop totaling approximately 146 miles, generally located adjacent to its existing pipeline in Maine. In addition, Maritimes is proposing to construct and operate five new compressor stations in Eliot, Westbrook, Searsmont, Brewer and Woodchopping Ridge in Maine and one new compressor station in Methuen, Massachusetts. Additional compression is proposed for the existing compressor stations in Baileyville and Richmond, Maine. Modifications will be required at existing meter stations in Maine and Massachusetts.
[WEBMASTER'S NOTE: The Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline website indicates that they're planning to re-pipe the Baileyville line. This would be a good opportunity for Gov. Baldacci to arrange for a pipeline spur from the main pipeline to the Domtar paper mill, to fulfill his desire for Domtar to have a cogeneration station, to reduce costs and pollution. Will Baldacci take advantage of this opportunity?]
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Tribal group to sue over LNG lease — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME
The lawsuit is focused on the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Department of Interior's June 1, 2005, approval of a "ground lease" to the Quoddy Bay LLC to allow construction of an LNG terminal at Split Rock on the Pleasant Point reservation.
Passamaquoddy Pleasant Point Group Filing Federal Lawsuit Against BIA And U.S. Dept Of Interior — WQDY-FM, Calais
Nulankeyutomen Nkihtahkomikumon (We Protect Our Land), the Passamaquoddy Pleasant Point affiliate of the anti-LNG group Save Passamaquoddy Bay will announce the filing of a federal lawsuit against the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the U.S. Secretary of the Interior on Wednesday at U.S. District Court in Bangor.
Passamaquoddy groups challenge federal action on LNG — Boston Globe, Boston, MA [Free registration required]
A lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court by a group called "We Protect Our Land," an affiliate of Save Passamaquoddy Bay Three-Nation Alliance, and six members of the Pleasant Point Passamaquoddy community.
They claim the BIA failed to follow due process when it granted a "ground lease" to Oklahoma-based Quoddy Bay LLC to allow construction of a $400 million LNG terminal at Split Rock, Pleasant Point.
Floating an idea for energy needs — Mercury News, San Francisco Bay Area, CA [Free registration required]
``Airports, heavy industry, landfills and freeways always seem to go into communities like ours. It's always done that way,'' he said with a sigh.
Oxnard is 66 percent Latino. There is a paper mill, a power plant on the beach and a downtown with struggling mom-and-pop stores.
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Wind energy lobby speaks up for Makara proposal — Stuff.com.nz, New Zealand
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The scheme is for a 210 megawatt (MW) project on the Makara hills west of Wellington – a site opposed by residents – which Meridian has said could be one of the most productive windfarms in the world. (Nov 1)
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EPACT leaves several LNG-related questions unanswered: officials — Platts [Free registration required]
As a result, Pope predicted that no new LNG terminals will be built on the West Coast, nor on the East Coast--either onshore or offshore--unless they are built in Canada.
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| 1-Nov-2005 |
EPACT leaves several LNG-related questions unanswered: officials |
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Chevron unit plans Mississippi LNG terminal — Oil & Gas Journal
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