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Never say never on Sunday, Quoddy Bay plans meeting — WQDY-FM, Calais, ME
Save Passamaquoddy Bay-3 Nation Alliance [SPB-3] has sent a letter of complaint to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection [DEP] taking issue with what they call a lack of adequate public notice by Quoddy Bay LNG for a mandatory public information session last week.
SPB-3 alleges the Oklahoma-based Quoddy Bay LNG "did not even come close to providing the legally required public notice" for a public info session in Perry May 23.
Webmaster's Comments: Maine DEP's Jim Dusch replied that he will be conferring with the Maine Attorney General regarding this issue.
LNG foes say Quoddy Bay LNG did not follow DEP rules — WQDY-FM, Calais, ME
LNG foes have fired off a letter of complaint to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection alleging Quoddy Bay LNG's efforts at notifying the public about their mandatory public information meeting were inadequate.
Representatives of Quoddy Bay LNG took a verbal pounding during the May 23 meeting. If there were any LNG supporters in the audience they kept their mouths shut. (May 30)
BEP votes to allow review of Downeast LNG project to proceed — Quoddy Tides, Eastport, ME
Although not part of the board's consideration at its May 17 meeting, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (DIF&W) has recommended denial of state permits for the Downeast LNG facility under the Natural Resources Protection Act and the Site Location of Development Act, because the project will impact a shorebird area, a tidal waterfowl/wading bird habitat and 14 inland waterfowl, wading bird habitats. [Red emphasis added.] (May 25)
City council says LNG proposal poses "unacceptable safety risk" — Quoddy Tides, Eastport, ME
Following an executive session during the May 14 Eastport City Council meeting, councillors voted unanimously to send a letter to Governor John Baldacci, U.S. Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins and to Congressman Michael Michaud outlining concerns about liquefied natural gas (LNG) proposals for Passamaquoddy Bay and the possible effects on the city of Eastport. [Red emphasis added.] (May 25)
Quoddy Bay hears concerns of residents — Quoddy Tides, Eastport, ME
Members of the public were not hesitant to ask questions and to register complaints concerning what they felt was a lack of detailed information concerning the plans submitted by Quoddy Bay LNG to the DEP.
Madonna Soctomah, a member of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, said the discussion was dealing with wildlife and fisheries and various species but there wasn't any mention about people.
Nancy MacIntosh, a Liberal party candidate for New Brunswick Southwest, said the Canadian government, regardless of political party, will not allow the passage of LNG tankers through Head Harbour Passage. (May 25)
ETF funding — a window to the future [Editorial] — Saint Croix Courier, St. Stephen, NB
Whether it's tourism, farming, fishing, or aquaculture, there's an understanding that, if you don't treat the ecosystem you use properly, it will come back to haunt you. Unfortunately, some businesses ignore those basic ecological rules, and disaster follows. It takes many, many years of sound practices to restore what was once lost.
LNG developers take note. (May 25)
All together now: "You, sir, are no John Kennedy." [Opinion column] — Saint Croix Courier, St. Stephen, NB
So what would Jack Kennedy do if he lived in neighbouring Washington County? Well, he and his brother Robert would probably have toured the area and created a list of inequities and opportunities. They would have tried to tackle the foundational problems by applying political pressure higher up the line. I doubt they would have put personal gain at the top of the agenda by trying to establish an industrial plant here that most other places had turned down.
And what kind of a half-page ad would Jack Kennedy actually aim at his Canadian neighbours? Maybe it would be something like, "Partners across a bay. Partners in tourism." Or "Sharing one nature. Preserving a diverse ecology." Something kinda visionary, I'd like to think.
But unfortunately, the marketing guy at the LNG company is no Jack Kennedy. (May 15)
Canadian LNG projects thinning out — Energy Intelligence [Subscription required]
Proposals for Canadian LNG receiving terminals have never been as numerous as those on the US side of the border, but even in Canada, the inevitable shakeout has winnowed the number down by more than half. The most advanced project is Canaport, the joint venture of Irving Oil and Spain's Repsol YPF. Other still-active contenders are Kitimat LNG on the West Coast and TransCanada and Petro-Canada's proposed Gros Cacouna facility in Quebec. (May 30)
LNG plant should give Sound a wide berth [Editorial] — Connecticut Post, Bridgeport, CG
You just know the person or persons doing the talking are either rabidly for, or rabidly against, the idea of permanently anchoring a 1,200-foot-long factory ship 14 miles off Branford. As such, they give a one-sided, fact-selective view of the project's advantages or disadvantages, skillfully leaving out mitigating factors that might bolster the other side's position. When they are done you find yourself more confused than when they started. You had precisely the same positive reaction a week ago when someone from the other side delivered their spiel. (May 30)
New offshore LNG project proposed to city council — Grunion Gazette, Long Beach, CA
Called Port Esperanza, this LNG plan would only have a pipeline running through the city. The main facility would be 10 miles offshore and not have any of the storage tanks or other things that were the focus of discussion about the last LNG project proposed for the area.
Webmaster's Comments: Offshore, no land-based storage tanks near people.
Analyst: LNG imports predicted to grow — Platts [Subscription required]
Platts LNG Daily reports that the latest monthly outlook from Steven Smith Energy Associates predicted that LNG imports will continue to run approximately 1 Bcf/d higher than last year. Assuming no loss of gas production due to hurricanes, the report forecasts that storage this summer will surpass last year's volumes by 114 Bcf. (May 30)
Rising US storage capacity seen as supporting natural gas prices — Platts
An increase in the amount of US natural gas storage capacity since 2006 is one of the factors supporting relatively strong gas prices despite bearish near-term fundamentals as utilities and local distribution companies come under increasing pressure to fill inventories this summer, analysts said.
DNV to study sloshing on LNG carriers — LNG Law Blog, Washington, DC
The study, which will be based on data gathered from a newbuild vessel scheduled to begin transporting LNG from Nigeria to North America and Europe in early 2008, will employ pressure sensors and fiber optic technology to measure strain in one of the ship's cargo tanks.
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Clean energy claim: Aluminum in your car tank: Professor says Energy Department ‘egos’ blocking hydrogen breakthrough — MSNBC
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Professor Jerry Woodall and students have invented a way to use an aluminum alloy to extract hydrogen from water — a process that he thinks could replace gasoline as well as its pollutants and emissions tied to global warming.
But Woodall says there's one big hitch: "Egos" at the U.S. Department of Energy, a key funding source for energy research, "are holding up the revolution." (May 23)
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Quoddy Bay LNG gets pummelled:
Quoddy Bay info meeting draws international crowd — WQDY-FM, Calais, ME
"Both parties, no matter who's in government says 'no, you are not going through our internal waters with LNG tankers.' How do you say that that's not going to impact on your schedule if we will not allow LNG tankers through Head Harbour Passage — and we are willing to take you to international court as long as you want to go?" [New Brunswick federal Parliament candidate Nancy] MacIntosh asked.
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She walked up to the podium carrying a picture of Split Rock, looked Smith in the eye, and asked what was he going to do to Split Rock.
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"If you are aware at all of the Full Moon Ceremonies that were going on long before anyone from Oklahoma came to set up this idea, you know that one of the major tenets of a Full Moon Ceremony is a large, blazing open bonfire. So don't make us think that you're going to allow ceremonies to happen at Split Rock next to an LNG terminal with a large, blazing open bonfire!"
Webmaster's Comments: No one in the audience spoke in favor of the project.
Quoddy Bay LNG critical of Eastport City Manager, again — WQDY-FM, Calais, ME
"However, we do have very strong concerns that the Quoddy Bay LNG project poses safety and security risks for the people of Eastport and, therefore, unless clear and compelling assurances protecting the health, welfare and vitality of the community can be provided, do oppose this project," [City Councilor Earl Small] wrote.
"It is not a matter of buying a fire engine, it is a matter of ensuring citizen well-being and when a process is brought forward with independent experts in the field, the City will work with them to consider how our needs can be met," he said.
"… in our case, the qualifications of myself [City Manager Finch] and Councilor [Earl] Small, who is a federal fire chief — we do not believe we're qualified to be participating in such a plan." [Bold emphasis added.] (May 23)
LNG company headquarters lease could mean $10M over 20 years to Gloucester — Gloucester Daily Times, Gloucester, MA
Suez' project received its operating license from the U.S. Maritime Administration in March, one of the final permits required before it can begin construction. The international energy company plans to have the facility operating by the end of 2009.
Excelerate Energy, which is building the Northeast Gateway Energy Bridge 13 miles southeast of Gloucester, is waiting for its operating license, but expects it soon. The company, based in The Woodlands, Texas, hopes to begin construction this summer and wants to begin operation by the end of this year.
Each port will be an underwater buoy to which tankers filled with supercooled liquefied natural gas will moor. The vessels reheat the liquid and pump the gas into a pipeline scheduled to be constructed this summer and connect to the existing HubLine pipe, which runs underwater from Salem to Quincy.
Webmaster's Comments: Offshore LNG terminal siting — safer, easier to expand, more secure.
New set of eyes on LNG — The Herald News, Fall River, MA
"Obviously, issues of public safety and vessel transit are entirely unresolved," Okerkoetter wrote a week ago to FERC, which has issued conditional approval for the terminal.
Specifically, the lawyer questioned how FERC can accept that an agreement between Shell and the developer meets all deed restriction uses at the 73-acre contaminated site without seeing the agreement.
According to its environmental consultant, Dawn M. Oliveira of EFI-Global in Fall River, the three disposal site remediations include two that are not in compliance with DEP. (May 23)
Climate changing - ready or not — The Daily Astorian, Astoria, OR
The excess greenhouse gases that people produce - most notably carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels - are trapping more and more of the sun's radiation and causing serious changes on Earth. Glacial cores have indicated the Earth now has more carbon in the atmosphere than any time in the last 650,000 years. (May 23)
Gov. pulls plug on LNG terminal — The Malibu Times, Malibu, CA
The governor's disapproval of the project came in the form of a letter to U.S. Maritime Administrator Sean T. Connaughton, a man who actually would have had final say about the project if it were to have survived state review.
BHP Billiton essentially has two paths it can take now. It could continue with its pursuit for the project in its current form through litigation, or it could scrap its plan. This could either be followed by giving up entirely or developing a new project. The company is giving no clue as to which option it will choose. (May 23)
Unions push to exclude foreign seafarers from LNG exports — The World Today, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
ELEANOR HALL: Maritime Unions in both Australia and the United States have launched a new push to keep foreign seafarers out of a potentially lucrative export market.
PADDY CRUMLIN: They're very sophisticated ships, very large. They're very safety sensitive, very expensive to build and they're also great security risks. Al-Qaeda for example, has targeted LNG's as one of the preferred targets because of the volubility of the cargos and the importance it has to the energy sector in various countries.
SIMON SANTOW: Paddy Crumlin insists only Australians and Americans have the training and the skills to do the job.
Last stand for American sovereignty — FamilySecurityMatters.org
The U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), now being pushed by the Bush Administration for a quick vote, is already starting to get rave reviews from the press, with the Sacramento Bee saying that protecting the oceans of the world could be Bush’s “legacy.” The message to Bush is that he should go out as a liberal and he may salvage some of his reputation. But he will lose what is left of his conservative base.
As President Reagan understood, UNCLOS creates another dangerous U.N. bureaucracy, with a seabed “authority” to run ocean affairs, as well as a court system and a global tax. It is a mechanism created by the World Federalists as a major stepping-stone on the road to world government. It is also designed to make it easier for the “international community” to thwart the exercise of U.S. military power in foreign affairs. One of the main authors, Elizabeth Mann Borgese, was a socialist who admired Karl Marx. But don’t expect our media to report these facts to the American people.
The sad irony is that all of this is happening under the auspices of a supposed conservative Republican President…. (May 22)
K15billion rip-off — The National, Papua, New Guinea
THE PNG Government stands to lose more than US$5 billion (K15.6 billion) over a 20-year period if it agrees to tax concessions demanded by InterOil for its proposed liquid natural gas (LNG) plant, industry sources said yesterday.
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Not-so-thrilling news for Quoddy Bay LNG:
Eastport outlines LNG site concerns — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME
"…we do have very strong concerns that the Quoddy Bay LNG project poses safety and security risks for the people of Eastport and, therefore, unless clear and compelling assurances protecting the health, welfare and vitality of the community can be provided, [we] do oppose this project," [Eastport City Council President Earl Small] wrote.
Port authority concerned about LNG tankers — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME
[Webmaster's Note: This article on page B5 of the downeast edition, as with some other Passamaquoddy Bay LNG-related stories, was not posted to the Bangor Daily News website. As they have told us, they don't post to their website published articles that are not of local or statewide interest. Apparently, in their judgment, this story falls into that category.]
EASTPORT — The Eastport Port Authority in a letter to the governor Tuesday said Canada has a right to look out for its citizens when it comes to LNG ships in Passamaquoddy Bay.
In its letter to Gov. John Baldacci and members of Maine's congressional delegation, the port authority officials said it was concerned about the impact the LNG tankers would have on commercial shipping to and from the city's port at Estes Head.
[City Manager George "Bud" Finch] also noted that the port authority agrees with the Canadian government about ship traffic in a portion of the bay.
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Fall River LNG firm vows to press ahead — AP, Daily Comet, Thibodaux, LA
The developers of a proposed liquefied natural gas terminal in southeastern Massachusetts plan to press ahead despite new hurdles from the Coast Guard that opponents say could doom the project.
The proposal by Weaver's Cove and Hess LNG for a terminal on the banks of the Taunton River in Fall River has won approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
But the Coast Guard cited navigational safety, security and environmental concerns in a recent 16-page "preliminary assessment" letter to Weaver's Cove officials.
"The Coast Guard letter is very damning," said Rep. James McGovern, D-Mass. "To me, it's the death knell for this project."
Capt. Roy A. Nash, commander of the Coast Guard's southeastern New England sector, wrote that the developers have yet to show that LNG tankers "can be safely navigated through this waterway on a consistent, repeatable basis."
Sens. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., John Kerry, D-Mass., Jack Reed, D-R.I., and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., recently opened another front against Weaver's Cove, asking Senate appropriators to block federal funds for "any action to approve or allow the construction of" the project. [Red emphasis added.] (May 20)
LNG opponents say whale's death shows need for restrictions — Gloucester Daily Times, Gloucester, MA
"Any time you introduce something that's going to increase vessel traffic, it emphasizes the importance of making sure there are appropriate rules in place to try to prevent these types of interactions from taking place."
According to a necropsy report completed by Dr. Michael Moore of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, a vessel struck and killed the 2-year-old, 30-foot humpback whale....
Excelerate Energy and Suez North America, the two energy companies proposing to build deepwater buoys off Gloucester where the tankers would offload the liquefied natural gas, were ordered to pay a total of $6.5 million to build an acoustic monitoring system designed to detect whales. [Bold & red emphasis added.] (May 18)
Bomb scare at Everett LNG facility — WHDH-TV, Boston, MA
EVERETT, Mass. -- The bomb squad responds to a scare outside a natural gas facility in Everett.
Checking out a suspicious device, police found an old army shell inside an abandoned car near the liquified natural gas facility. (May 16)
Pols put pressure on LNG funds — The Herald News, Fall River, MA
FALL RIVER -- Sens. Edward Kennedy and John Kerry have teamed with the Rhode Island senatorial delegation in an attempt to shut off any possible federal funding that may be used to construct a liquefied natural gas import terminal in the city.
In a letter signed by the Massachusetts duo and Rhode Island Democratic Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, the four congressmen are requesting that the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development include language stipulating that "no funds made available by this or any other act for any fiscal year may be used to take any action to approve or allow the construction of any liquefied natural gas facility to be located within the city of Fall River."
The letter notes the project is strongly opposed by leaders of both states, yet that fact was not considered by FERC in giving their approval to the project. (May 17)
State hires firm to study LNG plant alternatives — Newsday, New York, NY
"Alternative locations and technologies in the Atlantic Ocean south of Long Island have not been fully explored and developed," the [state Energy Research Development Authority] said in the contract with [Battelle Memorial Institute of Columbus, Ohio]. (May 18)
Webmaster's Comments: New York State government is taking initiative in seeking out alternative locations and technology for an LNG terminal. Why isn't Maine?
Sides rejoin Broadwater debate with new tactics — The Day, New London, CT
On May 7, [FERC Office of Energy Projects director J. Mark Robinson] spoke positively about the Broadwater project in testimony to the U.S. House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee. He said the project's offshore location reduces any safety risks, and many safety and environmental concerns would be reduced by the 79 conditions FERC would impose on the project.
Next week he is expecting final legislative approval of a new state law that would require Broadwater to have Connecticut's approval to have a private security force patrolling the terminal. Because the safety and security zone around the terminal would extend into Connecticut waters, the security force could not operate without the state's approval. (May 20)
Senators oppose LNG plans — The Providence Journal, Providence, RI
The four U.S. senators who represent Rhode Island and Massachusetts have asked a Senate appropriations committee to permanently block federal funds from being used to approve or construct any liquefied natural gas facility in Fall River. [Red emphasis added.] (May 16)
Commission suspends LNG review — The Daily Record, Baltimore, MD [Subscription required]
In a move that could stymie further efforts to block a liquefied natural gas terminal at Sparrows Point, the state agency that oversees development restrictions in coastal areas has suspended its review of a Baltimore County zoning law aimed at stopping the project. (May 17)
PM says LNG no priority — The Bahama Journal, Nassau, Bahamas
Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham has said LNG is not a priority for his government.
Leslie Miller, the former minister of trade and industry who later became the minister of agriculture and marine resources, had often touted the benefits of LNG. (May 16)
LNG signs 30-year lease with Port — The Port Lavaca Wave, Port Lavaca, TX
In addition to an exchange of property, FPC offered a Letter of Credit in a minimum amount of $20 million to help the Port Authority build the dry dock. (May 21)
Protesters against LNG terminals take to Astoria streets — KATU-TV, Portland, OR
Astoria, Ore -- The group of several hundred protesters, led by a group known as the "Grannies of the Columbia River," marched through the city carrying signs opposed to the terminals.
They were joined my many younger people and children. (May 21)
Schwarzenneger rejects plan for offshore LNG terminal — Rigzone, Houston, TX
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger rejected an application Friday by an Australian energy company to build an $800 million floating liquefied natural gas terminal off the southern California coast.
BHP Billiton's (BHP) proposal previously was rejected by the State Lands Commission and the California Coastal Commission. The company needed permission from both bodies and the governor to build the terminal. (May 20 & May 21)
BHP Billiton ponders its next move after California rejects its LNG proposal — International Herald Tribune, Neuilly Cedex, France
SAN FRANCISCO -- BHP Billiton, the largest Australian oil producer, has said that it needed time to evaluate the future of its proposed California natural gas-import facility now that the governor of the state, Arnold Schwarzenegger, has rejected the project. [Red emphasis added.] (May 21)
Council receptive to offshore LNG plan — Press Telegram, Long Beach, CA
LONG BEACH -- To mitigate safety concerns, Esperanza located the facility at least 10 miles off-shore, past the point where a flammable vapor cloud from a leak would harm people, according to the state Public Utilities Commission.
"I would encourage the council to engage in the John Gotti school of negotiation with these people," [Long Beach attorney Bill McKinnon] said, referring to the notorious New York gangland boss with a reputation for strong-arm tactics. "Get every dime you can get. We have something they want, which is public approval. Without us deciding that we want to do this project, it's not going to happen." (May 15)
Blunders by backers may save California from LNG [Editorial] — Santa Monica Mirror, Santa Monica, CA
The last time LNG proposals suffered a similar delay – when a lawsuit stymied a terminal in Santa Barbara County in the early 1980s – a worldwide glut of natural gas ensued, prices plunged and the entire project collapsed before anyone actually voted on it.
There is just as much potential for a new gas glut today, especially if plans move forward for a pipeline bringing gas from northern Alaska across Canada to the upper Midwest. If that happens, no one will ever need LNG....
All this demonstrates how grossly sponsors of the four currently active California LNG proposals have blundered.
Here's how thoroughly things were greased with the Schwarzenegger administration:
US FERC sees LNG imports gaining momentum, setting records — Platts [Registration required]
Having seen a new peak-day record set this month, US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission analysts Thursday said they expect the recent strong growth in liquefied natural gas imports to continue into this summer. (May 17)
Webmaster's Comments: Interestingly, last summer had LNG import facilities operating at only 50% capacity, at times, and with LNG storage at a high. (See, "Supplying demand for natural gas" and "As Natural Gas Glut Looms, Producers Eye the Weather.") Are we to believe that this summer's demand for natural gas will be as much as twice that of last summer?
Arctic boundary dispute may heat up with U.S. push on law of the sea: experts — CP, The Chronicle Journal, Thunder Bay, ON
"It's absolutely essential we accede to it so we can sit down and negotiate with our partner Canada. You can't participate in the negotiations until you become part of the treaty," said U.S. Rear Admiral (Ret.) Richard West, now president of the Consortium for Oceanographic Research and Education. [Red & bold emphasis added.] (May 20)
Webmaster's Comments: So says a former US Rear Admiral! Also, Maritime Law expert Ted McDorman, from whom Downeast LNG obtained advice related to Head Harbour Passage, and who participated as a panelist at the 2007 May 11 University of New Brunswick & Canadian Council on International Law workshop, "(Not So) Innocent Passage: International Law and the Passamaquoddy Bay LNG Terminal Controversy," indicated at that Canada has no UN Convention on the Law of the Sea obligations to ships transiting to US ports, since the US is not a party to that treaty.
An oceans legacy? [Editorial] — Sacramento Bee, Sacramento, CA
It provides a mechanism for resolution of conflicts. The treaty ensures, as the president noted Monday, that the United States has a seat at the table "when the rights that are vital to our interests are debated and interpreted." [Red emphasis added.] (May 19)
Webmaster's Comments: The "(Not So) Innocent Passage: International Law and the Passamaquoddy Bay LNG Terminal Controversy," workshop indicated that even the UN Law of the Sea doesn't have conflict-resolution capability, since conflict resolution still requires the invoved sovereigns to agree to any resolution.
Deep-six the Law of the Sea [Opinion] — Bend Weekly, Bend, OR
The purpose of the taxing power is to compel the United States to pay billions of private-enterprise dollars to International Seabed Authority bureaucrats, who can then transfer U.S. wealth to socialist, anti-American nations (euphemistically called "developing countries") ruled by corrupt dictators. The treaty asserts that this is for "the benefit of mankind as a whole."
The treaty also created the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, with the power to decide all disputes and enforce its judgments. Of course, there is no guarantee that the United States would have even one judge on this 21-member international court, and it's reasonable to assume inherent bias against the United States by the anti-American countries whose representatives will make all decisions.
The notion that the U.S. Navy needs approval from foreign bureaucrats in Jamaica in order to enjoy passage through international straits, or for permission to do what our Navy is already doing (such as moving our ships to the waters near Iran), is offensive and insulting to U.S. sovereignty. (May 17)
Webmaster's Comments: This opinion, provided by ultra-conservative Phyllis Schlafly, presents an interesting conundrum for Maine Passamaquoddy Bay-area ultra-conservatives who desire innocent passage into Passamaquoddy Bay for LNG vessels.
Watchdog group opposes U.N. Law of the Sea treaty — Yahoo News
WASHINGTON, May 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A United Nations watchdog group said today that the Law of the Sea Treaty, being pushed for Senate ratification by the Bush administration, is a trial lawyers' dream but a nightmare for American taxpayers and U.S. sovereignty.
In his new report, Kincaid declares that, "A Senate decision to ratify the treaty is an open invitation to subject the U.S. to global litigation before domestic and international courts. The effect would be to raise energy prices on average Americans, undermine economic growth, restrict U.S. military activities around the world, and take decision-making authority away from our elected representatives and senators in the Congress and put it in the hands of global authorities." [Red emphasis added.] (May 17)
For big oil, future profits lie in big gas business — Rigzone, Houston, TX
[T]he building of all this infrastructure will take decades. In the meantime, growing demand will translate into rising prices in isolated markets like the U.S. - boosting profits for companies like ConocoPhillips, the largest natural gas producer in North America after its 2005 acquisition of Burlington Resources. "That was a very smart strategic acquisition," says [Fadel Gheit, a New York-based analyst with Oppenheimer & Co.].
There's also the future danger of more cartels being formed. Iran and other countries have hinted strongly at the creation of an OPEC-like organization to control natural gas production and prices. (May 21)
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Legal panel probes bay LNG dispute — Telegraph-Journal, Saint John, NB [Subscription required]
A panel of lawyers and professors probed the ongoing dispute over American liquefied natural gas developments in the Passamaquoddy Bay region at a University of New Brunswick forum on Friday, and while they talked about the International Law of the Seas, the controversial issue is proving to follow the law of the Cs - it's confusing, complex and convoluted. (May 12)
Project construction ahead of schedule: $10-million access road completed for Saint John LNG terminal — Canadian Sailings, Montreal, QC
Canada's first liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving and regasification terminal in Saint John has a new access road that will make industrial transport more efficient. The seven-kilometre road cost $10 million to build and is now open for construction traffic to and from Canaport LNG.
Mr. Ciacciarelli noted that the terminal is progressing smoothly and construction is ahead of schedule thanks to the mild weather last fall through January. More than 20 per cent of Canaport LNG's construction is now complete. Onshore, the construction of temporary installations, such as office buildings and material staging areas, has been completed. The foundations for the construction of the LNG tanks and pipelines have also been erected. Preparations for the summer construction season, when the peak of construction is expected, are almost finished.
LNG foes win one — The Herald News, Fall River, MA
FALL RIVER -- In what is being described as a "significant blow" by Mayor Edward M. Lambert Jr., the Coast Guard has decided to issue a preliminary rejection of Hess LNG's plan to use smaller tankers.
"After considering the totality of proposed LNG marine traffic through this waterway, and acknowledging the substantial safety features and navigation capability of the proposed tankers, pilots, and accompanying tugs, the waterway continues to present a substantial challenge to the safe navigation of hazardous cargo, and the concerns I expressed in my letter to Weaver's Cove of March 13, 2006, remain," Nash wrote. (May 11)
Webmaster's Comments: Note that the US Coast Guard Captain of the Port's opinion is a "preliminary rejection." Also, note that the Coast Guard doesn't have authority over approving or denying shoreside LNG terminals (although they do have such authority over offshore LNG projects) — only FERC has that authority; however, FERC would be politically and ethically foolish to ignore the Coast Guard's advice.
Coast Guard releases preliminary review of Weaver's Cove LNG small tanker proposal [News release] — US Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England
Capt. Roy A. Nash, the Captain of the Port, stated “it appears that the waterway may not be suitable for the type and frequency of LNG marine traffic contained in your smaller tanker proposal.”
Nash listed several issues impacting to the suitability of the waterway for LNG transits, including:
- Proximity of the waterway to population concentrations,
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- Channel offset between bridges,
- Severe turn required beneath and just north of the Braga Bridge,
- Close proximity of the channel to Fall River piers, infrastructure (e.g., I-195/Braga Bridge) and USS Massachusetts museum complex,
- Prolonged, frequent exposure of the Fall River metropolitan region to safety and security risks during the transits,
- Expected delays to marine and vehicular traffic associated with frequent LNG tankers navigating through or under five bridge crossings,
- Conditions favorable to inbound and outbound transits are severely limited by vessel draft, tide, wind, visibility, and infrastructure. [Red and bold emphasis added.] (May 10)
KeySpan to pay $125,000 over security breach at Lynn LNG plant — AP, The Boston Globe, Boston, MA
BOSTON -- KeySpan Corp. has agreed to pay $125,000 for safety violations at a liquefied natural gas storage plant in Lynn where two people cut through security fences and climbed atop a storage tank last summer.
State regulators initially imposed a $250,000 fine, which KeySpan appealed. The fine was reduced after KeySpan showed that it had tightened security, according to the state's Department of Public Utilities. (May 11)
Atlantic Sea Island Group resubmits application for offshore terminal — LNG Law Blog, Washington, DC
MARAD announced yesterday that Atlantic Sea Island Group LLC has resubmitted its application with MARAD and the USCG for a Deepwater Port License for the Safe Harbor Energy LNG terminal. (May 11)
Marcellino joins Broadwater critics — Newsday, New York, NY
The Republican chairman of the State Senate's environmental committee yesterday announced his opposition to the proposed Broadwater Energy liquified natural gas terminal and called on Democratic Gov. Eliot Spitzer to take the same position.
Hearing on Broadwater suggests few answers — Newsday, New York, NY
[Rep. Tim Bishop (D-Southampton)] and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Connecticut), both of whom presided over the hearing at Brookhaven town hall in Farmingville, elicited from those who testified that it is unknown how much the Coast Guard would need in terms of manpower and equipment to handle an emergency either onboard of LNG terminal or aboard a tanker servicing it.
Mark Robinson, director of the office of energy production at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, had reassuring words for the auidence (sic). Robinson said that until a safety plan is approved, complete with costs and who will pay the costs, Broadwater will not be allowed to operate.
Webmaster's Comments: And yet, the public doesn't determine who pays the bill for all that emergency response manpower and equipment. FERC makes that decision, based on what the LNG developer offers to pay (as specified in the Energy Policy Act of 2005).
Delaware River dispute — The Bond Buyer, New York, NY
Admitting that “overlapping jurisdiction” by the two states may “pose practical difficulties,” Lancaster said the high court could not alter the river boundaries — as they did earlier this decade in a separate dispute over Ellis Island — because the boundaries were not at issue in the current case: New Jersey only asked the justices to declare that it has “exclusive” jurisdiction to finance development tied to the New Jersey shore beyond the low water mark.
Russia to build underwater tunnel to Alaska — mosnews.com, Moskow, Russia
Official from the Russian Economy Ministry told reporters on Wednesday, April 18, that Russia plans to build the world’s longest tunnel, a transport and pipeline link under the Bering Strait to Alaska, as part of a $65 billion project to supply the U.S. with oil, natural gas and electricity from Siberia.
The project, which Russia is coordinating with the U.S. and Canada, would take 10 to 15 years to complete, Viktor Razbegin, deputy head of industrial research at the Russian Economy Ministry, said. State organizations and private companies in partnership would build and control the route, known as TKM-World Link, he added.
The planned undersea tunnel would contain a high-speed railway, highway and pipelines, as well as power and fiber-optic cables, according to TKM-World Link. Investors in the so-called public-private partnership include Russian Railways, national power utility Unified Energy System and state-controlled pipeline operator Transneft.
The World Link will save North America and Far East Russia $20 billion a year on electricity costs, said Vasily Zubakin, deputy chief executive officer of HydroOGK, Unified Energy’s hydropower unit and a potential investor.
“It’s cheaper to transport electricity east, and with our unique tidal resources, the potential is real,” Zubakin said. By 2020 HydroOGK plans to build the Tugurskaya and Pendzhinskaya tidal plants, each with capacity of as much as 10 gigawatts, in the Okhotsk Sea, close to Sakhalin Island. [Red and bold emphasis added.] (Apr 19)
Webmaster's Comments: Since Canada is an essential player in this project to supply the US with energy, does the US intend to risk good relations with Canada by demanding that Canada allow LNG ship transits in Passamaquoddy Bay? Also, note the Russian tidal generating plants to be built to supply this project.
LNG could help meet demand, but is it safe? — Press Telegram, Long Beach, CA
While the energy industry regards LNG as a vital step in keeping up with the demand for natural gas in the United States, proposals to build terminals are raising environmental and safety concerns, including plans in Long Beach.
In 1999, gas traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange at an average price of $2.35 per million British thermal units. Last year, the price averaged $9.20. In between, there were price spikes as high as $20.
Esperanza holds out hope for LNG — Press Telegram, Long Beach, CA
Developers contend the off-shore site … avoids the safety concerns raised in opposition to the Port of Long Beach site, which Sound Energy Solutions, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi, had hoped to place on Pier T.
If the recently failed LNG projects are any indication, Esperanza Energy's success may rest on how well they prepare for the battle ahead. (Apr 17)
Algeria to boost LNG exports to US by 2010 — Middle East North Africa Financial Network (MENAFN), Amman, Jordan
Algeria hopes to complete a large gas project known as Gassi Touil being developed by Spain's Repsol YPF and Gas Natural. The country is also rebuilding two gas units at a complex at the port city of Skikda after being destroyed by a fire in 2004.
Algeria to boost LNG output by 2011 — MENAFN, Amman, Jordan
The minister indicated that Algeria's state oil and gas company Sonatrach, Africa's biggest company by revenues, produces 62 billion cubic meters per year of LNG and is expected to reach 85 billion cubic meters by 2010.
Algeria's oil and gas revenues reached $54 billion in 2006, and $230 billion during the past six years.
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Maine Energy Czar urges commitment to conservation — Ellsworth American, Ellsworth, ME
…Maine Public Utilities Commission Chairman Kurt Adams says consumers shouldn’t expect any long-term relief through construction in Maine of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, even though such a project might make natural gas a less costly fuel for generating electricity in Maine.
“An LNG terminal would have a mitigating effect on natural gas prices, but, in the long run, it would tie Maine into global energy supplies even more deeply than we are now,” Adams told The Ellsworth American.
“Given the fact that natural gas is produced in places that have an interest in keeping the prices high, you really have to ask yourself if there is an interest in the United States being so dependent on natural gas."
“…Our best hope to maintain an economic advantage in electricity prices and fuel prices is to develop the renewable, indigenous resources that we have and Maritime Canada has.” [Red and bold emphasis added.]
Perry legal fees for recount stirs debate at meeting — WQDY-FM, Calais, ME
At the very end, it was back to square one. (May 1)
Patrick fields questions on LNG, commuter rail at Town Meeting — The Herald News, Fall River, MA
To people of Fall River, the greatest moment of the night may have come when Patrick was asked about what he will do to help keep a liquefied natural gas terminal out of the city.
"I'm going to do everything I can to keep that LNG plant out of Weaver's Cove," [Gov. Deval Patrick] said to a rousing ovation.
Shell and Weaver's Cove resolve deed restrictions — LNG Law Blog, Washington, DC
In a letter to FERC, Shell Oil Products US ("Shell") advised the Commission that it "has reached a definitive agreement with Weaver's Cove regarding the deed restrictions with respect to future activities and use limitations on the site…. (May 2)
Long Island Sound legislation moving through House — Norwich Bulletin, Norwich, CT
State Sens. Len Fasano, R-North Haven, and Andrea Stillman, D-Waterford, applauded state Senate passage of legislation intended to require the state Attorney General to recommend that the U.S. Coast Guard designate a hazard zone, and recommend that the federal government designates a security zone, around any liquefied natural gas storage (LNG) facilities located or proposed in the Long Island Sound.
…the bill calls for prohibiting security services from operating in state waters without legislative and executive approval.
El Paso subsidiary opens southeastern pipeline — Yahoo Finance, BizJournals.com
The first phase of the new 167-mile pipeline provides 220 million cubic feet per day of takeaway capacity from Elba Island, the company's liquefied natural gas facility near Savannah, Ga., and extends the SNG system into southern Georgia and northern Florida, interconnecting with the Florida Gas Transmission system near Jacksonville, Fla. (May 1)
BP, COP [ConocoPhillips] won't participate in Alaska governor's pipeline proposal — Platts [Free registration required]
The producers' positions are a blow to Palin's hopes that at least one major owner of North Slope gas reserves will participate in the pipeline. (May 1)
Court ruling on emissions will bolster US gas demand: Consultants — Platts [Free registration required]
The US Supreme Court's recent decision mandating that the Environmental Protection Agency regulate carbon emissions will substantially increase US natural gas demand, energy consultants said Tuesday at the Canadian Enerdata GasFair PowerFair conference in Toronto. (May 1)
Bradwood Landing LNG booster tempers opposition with respect, education — The Daily Astorian, Astoria, OR
One adamant opponent even told him: "When we finally defeat the project, we hope you'll stay."
The key to his positive reception in the community has been maintaining a respectful relationship with supporters and opponents alike, he said. "When you treat people with respect you get it back."
States still involved [Letter to the editor] — The Daily Astorian, Astoria, OR
Contrary to the unsupported assertion recently published in your newspaper ("LNG firm begs feds to 'disregard' state concerns," The Daily Astorian, April 25), Congress in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 did not alter the important role of state authorities in reviewing proposed liquefied natural gas terminals and other natural gas facilities. (May 2)
Webmaster's Comments: FERC Director of External Affairs Andy Black called the Daily Astorian's assertion ("LNG firm begs feds to 'disregard' state concerns") "unsupportable"; however, Black's response didn't address those assertions at all; instead, he solely addressed the contents of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
If Black had evidence that The Daily Astorian's assertions about the NorthernStar LNG company's actions were incorrect or unsupportable, he should have presented that evidence. The result is that Black, himself, made unsupported assertions about the newspaper, giving the impression he — representing a supposedly "neutral" federal regulatory agency — is defending NorthernStar LNG.
Cabrillo Port LNG Terminal still sailing through the process — Malibu Surfside News, Malibu, CA
…Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger must decide by May 21 whether to reject the Malibu LNG port, or send it back for redesign. The governor does not have any power, analysts say, to override the two agencies that killed the project’s current design plans.
Schwarzenegger is required by federal law to continue to process the project’s permit application, even though the company’s proposed Cabrillo Port does not now have a legal right to anchor, has no mandatory environmental study about its hundreds of tons of air pollution, and has no way to unload any cargo.
Further research needed regarding LNG safety — LNG Law Blog, Washington, DC
Deetjen is part of an industry-sponsored team studying the risks associated with LNG transport and use. (May 2)
Woodside mulls asset swap for Atlantic LNG — The West Australian, Perth, Australia
Woodside may either swap a stake in Pluto for a share in a venture that supplies LNG to Europe and the US or develop its own project for the Atlantic market through exploration.
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Dispute continues concerning shipping of dangerous cargoes — The Quoddy Tides, Eastport, ME
David Seman, Bayside port manager, says fertilizer going through the port is of agricultural grade and has a low carbon content and is not hazardous at all. It is not listed on Canada's dangerous goods list.
Both Champlain Stevedoring and Seman deny that any dynamite or explosives are carried by ship to Bayside. Dynamite is transported in marked trucks for quarrying operations in a nearby Bayside quarry. (Apr 27)
Webmaster's Comments: On May 1, this webmaster confirmed with the US Coast Guard Captain of the Port Safety & Security personnel that dynamite is not carried on ships to the Port of Bayside. This contradicts claims made by Quoddy Bay LNG's marine consultant at the 2007 February joint Eastport City Council and Port Authority meeting (and also claims made in the news media by a local Maine State Senator). The marine consultant insisted to me that dynamite is brought by ship into Bayside multiple times per year, that he'd actually seen the dynamite, and that someone had taken photographs of that dynamite. When this webmaster enquired as to who the photographer was, the marine consultant stated that he didn't know.
At that same 2007 February meeting, the Quoddy Bay LNG marine consultant publicly contradicted a 2006 August 15 Captain of the Port Safety/Security Notice, and implied that local fishing vessels routinely would be allowed to enter the the Coast Guard's Safety/Security Zone around LNG tankers. The Coast Guard Notice clearly states that local fishing vessels entering the Safety/Security Zone would be a rare exception.
This once again confirms that LNG developers and their representatives are allowed by the FERC process to misrepresent the truth to the public, with impunity. When will our elected federal delegation stand up to this abuse of the public interest by big energy?
Quoddy Bay LNG, tribe sign contract for sale of Perry land — The Quoddy Tides, Eastport, ME
Although the land sale was approved by a 2-1 margin, opponents are still as determined to fight the Quoddy Bay LNG project for Split Rock. Vera Francis, coordinator for Nulankeyutomonen Nkihtahkomikumon or We Take Care of the Land, comments, "Relying on Indian Township and Pleasant Points recent special referendums as overwhelming support for LNG at Split Rock at whatever cost is a strange argument. It's like what some of the state officials initially believed about Washington County; little-to-none resistance justifies LNG siting anywhere along our coast. What is constant is that Split Rock is a cultural and ceremonial gathering ground, which makes it indeed relevant to 'the general background' of the land -- we are as much a part of the land as we are the 'heartland' waters that have sustained us. We've not forgotten this basic life principle." (Apr 27)
Perry vote unchanged following controversial recount — The Quoddy Tides, Eastport, ME
Guisinger said later in an interview, "The Perry Citizens for Responsible Growth did not expect to find any discrepancies. It was the way it was handled, before and after the elections, that I disagree with. I am not accusing anyone with any wrongdoing. I am only doing what voters expect me to do as a selectwoman for the town." (Apr 27)
Rapid-fire pulse brings Sandia Z method closer to goal of high-yield fusion reactor [News release] — Sandia National Laboratories
This is the most significant advance in primary power generation in many decades,” says Keith Matzen, director of Sandia’s Pulsed Power Center.
The new system, called a linear transformer driver (LTD), was created by researchers at the Institute of High Current Electronics in Tomsk, Russia, in collaboration with colleagues at Sandia.
…the machine could well be the fusion machine that could form the basis of an electrical generating plant only two decades away. Progress in this arena might eventually require funding from DOE’s energy arm. (Apr 24)
Webmaster's Comments: As the person who brought this news release to our attention stated, "If this really comes to fruition in 20 years, there're going to be a lot LNG tankers looking for business" — and a lot of surplus natural gas/LNG!
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