2007 January 16
FREDERICTON (CNB) — Premier Shawn Graham announced today that New Brunswick will formally seek official intervenor status in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) review of the applications to build two U.S. LNG projects — Quoddy Bay and Downeast.
On Tuesday, Jan. 16 and Monday, Jan. 22 respectively, the government will file a motion to intervene to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) which will give them legal status in the review of the Quoddy Bay and Downeast LNG projects in Maine.
"I stated in September that, if elected, I would ensure New Brunswick's participation in the review process of these two LNG projects,"said Graham.
"Today I am confirming that we are moving ahead with our application for intervener status."
By filing a motion to intervene and obtain party status, the Province will be placed on the service list maintained by the Secretary of the FERC and will receive copies of all documents filed by all parties.
Only parties to the proceeding can ask for court review of Commission orders in the proceeding. The Province will be acting on legal advice from a U.S.law firm with LNG regulatory expertise.
"The Passamaquoddy Bay is a very valuable and ecologically unique area for New Brunswick," explained Graham.
"As intervenors, we will ensure that the potential impacts of these projects on New Brunswick, be they environmental, economic, or safety and security, are well understood and considered throughout the review process."
Quoddy Bay LNG is proposing to build a facility at Pleasant Point in Maine. Downeast LNG is proposing to build a facility at Robbinston. Both projects would require LNG tankers to navigate through Canadian waters at Head Harbour Passage to offload the LNG.
© 2007 Advocate Media
Article republished on Save Passamaquoddy Bay website with permission.
The Saint Croix Courier, St. Stephen, NB