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Passamaquoddy Bay & LNG

LNG outlook: Demand collides with regulation — Advocate, Baton Rouge, LA

Only one in six liquefied natural gas terminals now proposed along U.S. coastlines is likely to be built, a proponent of the technology told an LSU energy conference Wednesday...experts see only seven to nine of them coming to fruition. (Oct 26)

WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: Let's do the math: one in six projects around Passamaquoddy Bay results in...zero terminals built here. The technology proponent above has pegged our situation exactly right.

U.S. government to hold [Texas] LNG forum — United Press International

HOUSTON (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Energy says it will conduct a public education forum on liquefied natural gas next month to help increase U.S. energy security.

The Houston forum, the fourth in a series, will be open to the public. Questions and comments can be submitted via the internet, on cards to be provided at the event, or in written form by mail to: LNG Forums, Attn: Bob Corbin, 955 L'Enfant Plaza North, S.W., Suite 1500, Washington, D.C. 20024 (Oct 24)

WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: Like the previous three DOE LNG forums, it will be an industry-promoting window-dressing event, with most of the public's questions being ignored. In fact, of the questions submitted by mail or email, the DOE (as told to this writer by DOE's Bob Corbin) decided that they would answer only the most frequently-asked questions — regardless of the importance of the other questions — and would put them online. The Boston (Massachusetts) LNG Forum was on 2006 March 10; the Astoria (Oregon) LNG Forum was on 2006 March 28; the Los Angeles (California) LNG Forum was on 2006 June 1.

• As of this writing, none of the questions are online.

The DOE transcribes each of these events, and while the DOE doesn't make it generally known, the transcripts are available upon request. To obtain a transcript, submit your request to:

Bob Corbin, DOE Office of Fossil Energy, 202-586-9460.

LNG Forums
ATTN: Bob Corbin
955 L'Enfant Plaza North, SW
Suite 1500
Washington, DC 20024

When this writer made his transcript request by telephone, the DOE attempted to force a written-letter request, giving the reason that they wanted to "track everyone making the request." When the issue was pursued, the DOE fulfilled the request without a written letter.

Although the Forums' proceedings were tape recorded, they have been transcribed into digital documents; however, the transcripts are not available to the public in digital form. Requested transcripts will be mailed — at taxpayers' expense — even though a more efficient and less expensive method of conveying the transcripts exists.

Former PUC president speaks out against LNG facility — Malibu Times, Malibu, CA

"They're making outlandish projections, not under oath, about huge, huge demand, in order to justify bringing in more supply."

There are 1,400 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves in the lower 48 states. The U.S. uses about 60 billion cubic feet per year, so there is a 60-year supply at current rates of use. (Oct 25)

Comrades in arms [Letter to the editor] — Daily Astorian, Astoria, OR

Just so those protecting the Columbia River from liquefied natural gas industrialization can feel that they are not alone in this fight, there are three proposed LNG terminals for our Passamaquoddy Bay, on the border between New Brunswick, Canada and Maine ("Feds will put LNG plant 'wherever they want,'" The Daily Astorian, Oct. 6).

Canadians are unanimously opposed to the LNG projects. (Oct 19)

LNG: Opponent has conflict of interest with dual roles — Examiner, Denver, CO

Attorneys for AES Corp. filed a complaint with the Maryland Ethics Commission saying Sharon Beazley’s dual roles as coordinator of the LNG Opposition Team and co-chair of the neutral task force organized to study the proposal is a conflict of interest.

Attorney Bart Fisher called the 41-page complaint an “insult” from “billionaire bullies.” (Oct 19)

WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: ...and yet, the LNG industry doesn't seem to have a problem with pro-energy FERC studying and ruling on their proposals.

Bradwood LNG will 'adversely affect' salmon species, habitat — Daily Astorian, Astoria, OR

Northern Star Natural Gas Co. delivered the news by way of a 200-page public document: Its proposed liquefied natural gas terminal at Bradwood Landing is "likely to adversely affect" endangered species of chinook, chum and steelhead salmon and their habitat.

County praises trash hauler for switch to LNG for trucks — Ventura County Star, Ventura, CA

Within two weeks, Harrison expects to have 31 trash trucks running on the clean-burning fossil fuel, curbing diesel emissions in the neighborhoods of some of its 70,000 customers. (Oct 19)

WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: "LNG" appears to be a misnomer. The trucks are more likely to be fueled with natural gas, and not carrying LNG in their tanks.

LNG developer explains job opportunities — Quoddy Tides, Eastport, ME

"Quoddy Bay plans to begin accepting applications and resumes in late spring and summer of 2007." (Oct 13)

WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: In other words, Quoddy Bay LNG has no jobs to offer.

Anti-LNG forces rally with candidate in NB — World, Coos Bay, OR

[T]he local rally took place in conjunction with similar anti-LNG rallies up and down the Pacific Coast. Similar rallies were scheduled to take place in Longview, Wash.; Malibu and Oxnard, Calif.; and Tijuana, Mexico. (Oct 16)

That danged little oil company in N.B. [Opinion] — Chronicle Herald, Halifax, NS

In early July, the lower house of the Russian parliament passed a Kremlin-backed bill that extends Gazprom’s monopoly control over natural gas exports.

It is no exaggeration to say, then, that Goldboro is unlikely to take delivery of Russian gas without the approval of President Vladimir Putin’s state-owned energy company. And even putting that aside, it is no secret that the nations of Western Europe covet incremental supplies from Russia.

Lieberman challenged over LNG — Greenwich Time, Greenwich, CT

WESTPORT — Robert F. Kennedy Jr., in town to endorse Ned Lamont's bid for senator, yesterday accused Sen. Joe Lieberman of paving the way for Broadwater Energy to build a natural gas platform in Long Island Sound, despite the senator's opposition to the project. (Oct 13)

Official: Tax-exempt group started as a front for oil giants — AP, Juneau Empire, Juneau, AK

JUNEAU — A nonpartisan organization described as a group of pro-business young Alaskans was created as a front for Exxon Mobil Corp., BP, and ConocoPhillips to promote a natural gas pipeline deal, the group's former president said.

State Rep. Eric Croft, D-Anchorage, calls Alaska's Future a "ridiculous sham group" able to hide its income because it does not meet the legal definition of a group required to make public disclosures.

"There is no membership list. It was a front to hide the support of the Big Three," said Culpepper, who now lives in Washington state. (Oct 11)

WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: BP adds to its laundry list of shady behavior, but is FERC concerned? Nah. In fact, FERC Chairman Kelliher has publicly advocated for the BP-partnered Alaska natural gas pipeline. FERC also has stated that they're unconcerned about LNG developers' character, and has even gone so far as to state that they'd permit LNG facilities to Adolf Hitler, Idi Amin, and Charles Manson.

The wealth of nature :: Russian management style — BSR News, Bozeman, MT

[I]f Canada could find a way to monetize its boreal forest`s value as a carbon sink, the country could earn more than $42 billion annually for the next 20 years by doing nothing.
::
Government-controlled companies in Russia have a long and consistent history of mis-management that in the end always leads to their failure to maximize value, either for the government or for private shareholders. There is no reason to believe that these latest adventures will yield a different result. (Oct 4)

WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: Both parts of this story offer wisdom. The Russian issue, though, illustrates the folly of the US Government wooing Gazprom to own US energy infrastructure.

New funding could turn tde for L.I. Sound — Westport News, Westport, CT

"In light of the Alternative Analysis to Broadwater released on March 2, 2006, we know with certainty that Broadwater is unnecessary," said Schmalz. "There are a number of ways to assure adequate gas and energy supplies for New England. They are common sense approaches that do not require the industrialization of a large portion of the Sound." (Oct 11)

El Paso officially scraps LNG plan — Bahama Journal, Nassau, Bahamas

AES counsel Dane Butswinkas of Washington DC law firm, Williams and Connolly, reportedly argued that the government of the Dominican Republic did not have standing to sue AES.

Reports say Mr. Butswinkas also argued that the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) statute did not apply because the duration of the alleged illegal conduct was not long enough to establish a pattern of conduct, a prerequisite for RICO to apply.

Mr. Butswinkas also argued that AES had a permit to dump the waste from its Puerto Rico power plant in the Dominican Republic, but Dr. Bart Fisher, lawyer for the government of the Dominican Republic, has always contended that the permit was secured through bribery, and was therefore illegal. (Oct 9)

WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: Racketeering? Bribery? FERC officials have publicly stated to downeast Maine audiences that FERC is unconcerned about LNG developer's veracity and character when permitting LNG facilities. FERC has even literally stated that they'd grant an LNG permit to the likes of Adolf Hitler, Idi Amin, and Charles Manson.

Workers walk off LNG site — Facts, Clute, TX

The employees’ departure came after Zachry decided to adjust the salaries of craft workers, giving some employees $2 per hour raises and some $1 per hour raises, said Vicky Waddy, director of public affairs for Zachry. The employees earn between $18 and $22 per hour, she said.

“We were having trouble hiring people and getting them to stay so we did a salary survey,” Waddy said. (Oct 11)

Smog concerns dog Irving refinery proposal — CBC News, NB

Air quality advocates are lining up with questions and concerns about Irving Oil's proposal to build a second oil refinery in Saint John.

The industrial city is already home to a pulp mill, the largest oil refinery in Canada and several factories, employing thousands of people. A thick haze of brownish, yellowish smog hangs over Saint John on most days, and when the atmospheric conditions are right, people driving into the city are greeted by the strong smell of sulphur, emitted by the Irving-owned pulp mill.

"Already, construction at Canaport [where the LNG terminal is] is interfering with our quality of life with noise and I just see it getting worse," he said. [Bold emphasis added.] (Oct 6)

WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: The Irving LNG facility is designed to bring in other polluting industries, such as vinyl. The people opposing LNG development in Passamaquoddy Bay want their children to live in a healthy environment, not in polluted air like children in Saint John.

Earthquake Shakes Maine — WABI-TV, Bangor, ME

This latest quake registered 3.9 on the richter scale, according to the National Earthquake Information Center.

The first one, 11 days ago, measured 3.4. (Oct 4)

WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: Check out Canada's seismic record and map of this area's earthquake activity for the last year and for the past five years.

El Paso ends Rockies gas, Fla/Bahamas LNG projects — Reuters

The 700-mile Continental Connector project was expected to link fast-growing supply areas in the Rockies, the Mid-Continent, and the Barnett Shale fields of north Texas with existing infrastructure at the Perryville, Louisiana, hub, bringing supplies to consuming areas in the eastern and southeastern United States. (Oct 6)

WEBMASTER'S COMMENTS: El Paso's withdrawl from the Continental Connector apparently isn't affecting the Rockies Express pipeline project being built by KinderMorgan, Sempra Energy, and ConocoPhillips, that will also bring natural gas east.

Bluffs Park site of two anti-LNG rallies same week — Malibu Times, Malibu, CA

City leaders and a coastal environmental group point to the contradiction in the governor's signing of an environmental bill and his support of a liquefied natural gas facility. Gubernatorial candidate Phil Angelides vows to veto the gas project if elected. (Oct 4)

LNG project has had a setback but isn’t dead, province says — Chronicle Herald, Halifax, NS

Premier Rodney MacDonald said Thursday’s collapse of a $125-million deal between Anadarko Petroleum Corp. and U.S. Venture Energy is disappointing, but the government will work with the Houston energy giant to make sure the project still moves forward. (Sep 30)

LNG forum sparks no arguments in Bandon — World, Coos Bay, OR

Despite being organized and moderated by opponents of the projects, the gathering was notable for its even-handed approach. (Sep 30)