Quoddy Bay applies for state permits -- The Quoddy Tides, Eastport, Maine

On June 11, Quoddy Bay LNG filed applications for a host of state permits for the development and construction of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility proposed for the Pleasant Point Reservation and the Town of Perry. Quoddy Bay is proposing to construct a facility with a throughput capacity of two billion cubic feet of natural gas per day that will serve the New England market beginning in 2010.

"We have been working very hard incorporating new environmentally friendly technologies and mitigation strategies to improve our proposal and ensure that we provide comprehensive applications," said Project Manager Brian Smith in a prepared release. "This is a big step in the development of the project, and we look forward to a thorough and transparent review process."

Quoddy Bay held two public informational meetings to inform the public in advance of the filings describing the various applications and the facility's expected impacts. Quoddy Bay has submitted to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) applications for a Site Location of Development Act permit, Natural Resources Protection Act permit, an Air Emissions License, a Waste Discharge permit, and a Submerged Lands Lease that will be required for the infrastructure located in coastal waters. These applications focus primarily upon the project's expected impacts to the environment. Typically, issues related to the project's safety, security, tanker transit logistics, and socioeconomics remain within the purview of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Quoddy Bay has an application pending with FERC and explained that the content of that application addressed those issues. For purposes of the Maine DEP, the company reiterated that they believe they met all standards required for the permits.

"Quoddy Bay and our consultants have worked very hard to reduce the environmental impact of our project because we understand and appreciate the growing need to protect the environment from unreasonable and irresponsible impacts," explains Smith. "Not only have we proposed mitigation strategies to compensate for our impacts, but we have also incorporated the most advanced vaporization technology available to reduce our air emissions while revaporizing the LNG."

Quoddy Bay hopes its FERC permit, as well as the state permits, will be in place by the first quarter of 2008.