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Palin signs order directing state to help with LNG [export] project — Alaska Journal of Commerce, Anchorage AK
“This solidifies our commitment to facilitating an LNG project that is a product of market interest,” Palin said. “By committing both project capital and natural gas resource to a pipeline that would transport North Slope gas to tidewater, an LNG project can remain an integral element of the state's effort.”
Webmaster's Comments: This would be the second LNG export terminal in Alaska, and the fourth proposed new LNG export project in the United States — proving, once more, that there is an overabundance of natural gas in the US. The LNG import bubble has burst.
Gregoire staffers say they'll pressure NorthernStar for answers on LNG project — The Daily News, Longview, WA
Washington state officials this week criticized federal regulators for what they called a lax review of a proposed liquefied natural gas terminal on the Columbia River and asked that federal officials not approve the project until other state permits are issued.
The Washington Department of Ecology joined Oregon officials last month in criticizing FERC’s environmental review. (Aug 29)
Oregon LNG terminal clears FERC environmental hurdle — Platts
The proposed LNG terminal would be located on Coos Bay, Oregon, and the project's sendout pipeline would run about 230 miles from the terminal to a terminus near Malin, Oregon, where it would interconnect with existing pipeline systems of Gas Transmission Northwest, Tuscarora Gas and Pacific Gas & Electric. (Aug 29)
Webmaster's Comments: FERC's authorization of the Jordan Cove LNG terminal at Coos Bay is one more confirmation of FERC's "consequences to the public be damned" safety policy. Even the world LNG industry terminal siting standards advise against such a siting. (See LNG Terminal Siting Standards Organization.)
LNG project gets favorable report — The World, Coos Bay, OR
FERC’s draft report also looked at alternatives to the North Spit location.
“We do not consider either the Bradwood Landing nor the Oregon LNG Project to be preferable alternatives to the proposed (Jordan Cove) project because neither could meet one of its main objectives, to serve markets in southern Oregon, northern Nevada, and northern California.” it said.
It provided a caveat, however, saying it does not choose between competing projects and it said the market would ultimately determine which project was viable. (Aug 29)
US oil production and hurricanes: Insecurity of demand trumps insecurity of supply? — RGE Monitor, New York, NY
Natural gas markets are different than a few years ago. Not only is natural gas production up in the U.S. but the supplies are somewhat more diversified. U.S. Natural gas production has been increasing, especially that sourced from unconventional and onshore supplies such as Barnett Shale. The increase in supplies, especially this summer has contributed to the swift fall in natural gas prices and cushioned the U.S. from rising global gas prices (for LNG). [Red emphasis added.] (Aug 30)
Webmaster's Comments: The boom in US LNG import terminals is over.
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Passamaquoddy group to appeal dismissal of LNG lawsuit — Indian Country Today, Canastota, NY
BANGOR, MAINE — A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a group of Passamaquoddy Indians against the BIA over the leasing of tribal land for a proposed liquefied natural gas terminal, but rendered a scathing criticism of the agency's ''mishandling'' of the case.
The BIA ''simply ignored its own regulation'' when it did not notify NN of their right to appeal the agency's approval of the ground lease in June 2005 and ''compounded its error'' by making its approval effective immediately and, thereby, ''circumventing the stay provision of its regulations,'' Woodcock said.
''The BIA did precisely what its regulations were promulgated to avoid — making critical agency decisions, failing to notify interested parties and allowing the consequences of the decision to become immediately effective without measuring the public interest.''
Teresa Clemmer of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Clinic at the Vermont Law School, who represents NN, said her clients will appeal the dismissal to the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals. [Red & bold emphasis added.]
Gas rush is on, and Louisianians cash in — The New York Times, New York, NY
A no-holds-barred, all-American gold rush for natural gas is under way in this forgotten corner of the South, and De Soto Parish, with its fat check from a large energy company this month, is only the latest and largest beneficiary. The county leaders and everyone around them, for mile after mile, over to Texas and up to Arkansas, in the down-at-the-heels city of Shreveport and in its struggling neighbors, suddenly find themselves sitting on what could prove to be the largest natural gas deposit in the continental United States.
“The five wells they’ve made are real,” [research associate at the Louisiana Geological Survey, at Louisiana State University, Brian J. Harder] said. With Haynesville and another shale formation in Pennsylvania and southern and western New York, the Marcellus Shale, “we’re talking about doubling the nation’s gas reserves from two fields,” he said.[Red & bold emphasis added.]
Webmaster's Comments: Additional LNG terminals are not needed. Calais LNG's, Downeast LNG's, and Quoddy Bay LNG's dreams have gone up in smoke.
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Jordan Cove Energy liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal and … Gas Pipeline…. — Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Washington, DC
The FERC staff determined that construction and operation of the Project would have limited adverse environmental impacts.
The proposed LNG terminal would meet the federal safety regulations regarding the thermal radiation and flammable vapor dispersion exclusion zones, and appropriate safety features would be incorporated into the design and operation of the LNG import terminal and LNG carriers.
Webmaster's Comments: Never mind that the LNG ships' Hazard Zones would endanger civilian populations, businesses, and the neaby airport — contrary to the world LNG industry's advice on LNG terminal siting. (See LNG Terminal Siting Standards Organization.)
In what other industry are government standards weaker than advised by that industry?
Gushing over gas [Commentary] — International Business News, New York, NY
This year, US natural gas production is projected to rise at the fastest pace since the 1950s--an astounding 4.4 billion cubic feet (bcf) per day for 2008 alone. This is no one-off fluke. Although production in Canada and Russia actually shrank in 2007, US production rose 2.2 bcf per day. A similar 2.2-bcf-per-day jump in production is projected for 2009 and, quite possibly, for 2010.
The US is already the worlds second largest producer of natural gas with 2007 production of 52.8 bcf per day compared to Russias 58.8. Both nations were well ahead of No. 3 producer Canada, which had just 17.8 bcf per day in output. But heres whats even more astounding: With projected production of 61.8 bcf per day in 2009, its quite possible the US will be the worlds largest gas producer depending on how quickly Russia can ramp up supplies.
The US has built several LNG import terminals over the past few years in anticipation of a surge in demand for imports. But with overseas gas prices close to twice what they are in the US, what we really need is an LNG export terminal. This way we could transport cheap US gas to foreign markets where demand is sky-high. [Red & bold emphasis added.]
Webmaster's Comments: Here's more advocay for exporting LNG, not importing it. Calais LNG, Downeast LNG, and Quoddy Bay LNG must be crying in their beer.
EU must complete Nabucco gas pipeline: US Senator — Platts
[Senator Lugar of Indiana] argued that allowing Russia to control fuel transmission would allow it to have a strong hand in European politics. The specter of a natural gas shutdown, something that Russia has threatened its neighbors with before, "could cause death and economic loss on the scale of a military attack," argued Lugar. "Such circumstances are made more dangerous by the prospects that nations might become desperate, increasing the chances of armed conflict and terrorism," he added.
Webmaster's Comments: How does Senator Lugar justify the US Department of State inviting Russia to own US energy infrastructure? The US is cautioning Europe about what to look out for, while at the same time, actually encouraging Russian ownership and control of energy in the US!
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NOAA files final environmental impact statement on ship strike reduction measures — MarEx Newsletter, Maritime Executive, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Agency seeks to slow ships to protect North Atlantic Right Whales.
The final EIS contains six alternatives, including NOAA's preferred alternative that would require a vessel speed restriction of 10 knots or less in designated areas along the U.S. East Coast.
The 10-knot speed limit would apply to right whale feeding grounds along the coast in the northeastern United States and to calving grounds near the southeastern United States, where the whales spend most of their time. [Red emphasis added.]
Webmaster's Comments: The speed limit would slow the entire LNG ship approach from south of Grand Manan into port, and out again, if the LNG projects had any chance of completion.
Like a factory in Yosemite — The Suffolk Times, Mattituck, NY
"Frankly, Broadwater would scar Long Island Sound," [Gov.]. Paterson said at a press conference on the boardwalk in Sunken Meadow Park. "It would establish a very dangerous precedent of industrializing a waterway that generations of people have spent millions of dollars trying to preserve."
Federal law allows the U.S. commerce secretary, Carlos Gutierrez, to override the state's objections if he determines that the Broadwater plan is consistent with the objectives of the federal Coastal Zone Management Act, or if the project is necessary in the interest of national security.
Whatever it takes [Editorial] — The News-Review, Mattituck, NY
The battle is not yet won, but the state's brief was a powerful salvo. We urge those in Albany to continue doing whatever it takes to get the Commerce Department to decide in favor of protecting our already threatened Sound.
Smith on LNG: 'Wait for FERC' — The Daily Astorian, Astoria, OR
"I'm going to let FERC do their job and we'll see how that comes out," said Smith in response to questions from The Daily Astorian. "But I want them to focus on safety, recognizing at the same time that we need energy."
In contrast, Smith's Democratic Party opponent, Merkley, who is Oregon Speaker of the House, has openly opposed the LNG terminals.
Groups ask California Energy Commission to address greenhouse gas emissions from new power plant, consider climate impacts from use of imported liquefied natural gas [News release] — Center for Biological Diversity, Tucson, AZ
[T]he power plant may use imported Liquefied Natural Gas, or LNG. The total greenhouse gas emissions from LNG can be as high as coal, depending on where and how it is produced, giving LNG a much larger carbon footprint than domestic natural gas typically used in California. [Red emphasis added.]
Gas finds hit LNG — The Advocate, Baton Rouge, LA
Terminals languishing
The Haynesville Shale and other massive natural gas finds have raised “big questions” about the future of liquefied natural gas in North America, and the Louisiana facilities that handle the fuel, one industry expert said.
In July, Navigant Consulting Inc. released a study that places the country’s recoverable gas reserves at as much as 2,247 trillion cubic feet, or a 118-year supply at current production levels.
“I mean that is a boatload of reserves, and if that’s the case, that just shuts down LNG tomorrow,” said David Dismukes, associate executive director of LSU’s Center for Energy Studies.
In April, the Sabine Pass terminal welcomed its first LNG tanker. Since then the terminal has handled exactly zero tankers.
Dismukes said LNG has been a big disappointment in many ways, particularly for the companies that built terminals. [Red & bold emphasis added.]
Natural gas weekly update — International Business Times, New York, NY
Overview (Wednesday, August 20, to Wednesday, August 27)
The pace of deliveries of liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports remains considerably below last years volumes. LNG imports, which had been expected to grow this year, appear to be on course to set a new 5-year low for 2008. [Red & bold emphasis added.]
Mexico President Felipe Calderón dedicates Sempra Energy's new Baja California LNG terminal [Press release] — Sempra Energy
SAN DIEGO, CA--(eMediaWorld - August 28, 2008) - Mexico President Felipe Calderón, Donald E. Felsinger, chairman and chief executive of Sempra Energy, and other dignitaries were on-hand today to officially dedicate Sempra Energy's Energía Costa Azul liquefied natural gas (LNG) receipt terminal in Baja California, Mexico, the first LNG receipt facility on the West Coast of North America.
In operation since May 2008, the $975 million LNG receipt terminal is capable of processing up to 1 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas.
The LNG receipt terminal is fully contracted.
The natural gas processed at Energía Costa Azul will be used in Baja California and the U.S. Southwest.
Japan buys TT LNG at top price — Trinidad & Tobago's Newsday, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad & Tobago
A JAPANESE trader has bought a cargo of liquified natural gas (LNG) from Trinidad and Tobago via Atlantic LNG at more than double the US benchmark price, as the Asian LNG market heats up due to worldwide delays in new projects as well as increased demand due to environmental factors.
On August 15, Bloomberg.com reported that an unnamed Japanese trader bought a cargo of the fuel for September delivery from Atlantic LNG, paying $18 per million British thermal units, excluding shipping and insurance costs. [Red emphasis added.]
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Baltimore County seeks review of Sparrows Point decision — Energy Current, Houston, TX
BALTIMORE: James T. Smith Jr., county executive for Baltimore County, Md., on Aug. 15 filed a petition for a [writ] of certoriari with the U.S. Supreme Court requesting that the court review the decision made by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in May regarding the proposed Sparrows Point liquefied natural gas (LNG) project.
11th hour for proposed LNG terminal — WKRG TV, Mobile, AL
David Underhill with the Mobile Bay Sierra Club said, "The applicant seeks a permit to commit 'aquacide:' perhaps not mass, indiscriminate killing of marine life like some other proposals, but reckless behavior."
Its up to the administrator of the U.S. Maritime Association to give the project thumbs up or down.
But Governor Bob Riley could stop it too, and he has until October 10 to decide.
LNG meeting gets hot — The Press-Register, Mobile, AL
One woman said she was in favor of the terminal because she didn't want her children to be beholden to energy coming from the Middle East. She was apparently unaware that much of the LNG imported at the TORP facility — like most of the LNG sold worldwide — would emanate from the Middle East.
If the ongoing study were to reveal impacts [Gov. Bob Riley] deemed unacceptable, he would have the authority to require that the facility change its operating practices or shut down, according to officials familiar with the conditions under consideration.
All of the federal agencies that regulate fisheries remain firmly opposed to the terminal plan, because of the potential impact on the Gulf's food chain. The TORP terminal would suck in about 46 billion gallons of seawater each year to turn the imported LNG into a usable product.
Webmaster's Comments: If the Alabama Governor thinks he has the power to shut down the LNG terminal once it is in operation, good luck!
BHA boss supports LNG plant — The Nassau Guardian, Nassau, Bahamas
It's not clear how soon the government will give AES a response to its proposal, which has been on the table for more than seven years. Throughout the five-year administration of Perry Christie, government officials had said repeatedly that AES, which wants to construct an LNG plant on Ocean Cay, was the front-runner in the approval race.
But that approval never came.
Within days after being re-elected last year May, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham told reporters that LNG projects were not a priority of the new administration.
EIA Administrator: Increased domestic gas supplies could affect U.S. LNG imports — Sutherland LNG Law Blog, Washington, DC
Platts LNG Daily reports that the Administrator for the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Guy Caruso, said yesterday that increased domestic natural gas supplies, particularly from the production of shale gas, could limit U.S. demand for LNG imports. [Subscription required]
Webmaster's Comments: The message keeps being repeated by industry and government — the LNG bubble has burst. It's time for Calais LNG, Downeast LNG, and Quoddy Bay LNG to pack up and go home.
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Native American group to appeal ruling in suit against BIA — Sutherland LNG Law Blog, Washington, DC
Nulankeyutmonen Nkihtaqumikon, a Native American group in Maine, has pledged to appeal a U.S. District Court ruling dismissing their cases against the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). According to Platts LNG Daily [subscription required], the suit alleges that the BIA did not adequately perform its oversight role in the leasing of tribal lands to Quoddy Bay LNG. [Red emphasis added.]
Webmaster's Comments: Note: The spelling of the Passamaquoddy group's name was standardized to "Nulankeyutomonen Nkihtahkomikumon" sometime after the initial suit against the BIA was filed.
Canadian organization affirms opposition to 3 LNG proposals — The Quoddy Tides, Eastport, ME
Thompson stated that the Head Harbour Passage waters are sovereign waters of Canada. "We are not giving up. We will protect our bay." He added that the fight may take a while, and he reminded listeners that the successful battle by opponents of the Pittson Oil Company's plan to build an oil terminal in Eastport took 14 years.
The MP announced at the meeting that a $100,000 grant has been awarded for a study of environmental issues concerning LNG. "We will put our money where our mouth is."
Thompson and other speakers said that they will support CLF as a legal advocate in battling the Maine permitting process. (Aug 22)
Webmaster's Comments: Save Passamaquoddy Bay 3-Nation Alliance, the Province of New Brunswick, and the Canadian federal government are prepared to defeat LNG development in Passamaquoddy Bay, regardless of the the time it may take.
The Canadian government's $100,000 and the Conservation Law Foundation's involvement are welcome additions to our efforts, and increase the evidence that we will prevail in this battle.
Baltimore County appeals to U.S. Supreme Court over proposed Sparrows Point LNG project — Sutherland LNG Law Blog, Washington, DC
Baltimore County Executive James T. Smith, Jr., filed a petition for a writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court on August 15, 2008. Details are available on the Supreme Court's website under Docket No. 08-211. BNA's Daily Report for Executives provides additional details [subscription required].
Public meeting tonight on LNG terminal — The Press-Register, Mobile, AL
The comment period for a proposed liquefied natural gas terminal to be erected 63 miles south of Dauphin Island is winding down, with the last public meeting on the project scheduled for tonight at the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center.
As with previous proposed LNG terminals to be located off Alabama's shores, Gov. Bob Riley holds the power to stop the terminal project or approve it with certain conditions.
Dredging ahead of schedule, days away from completion — The Mississippi Press, Pascagoula, MS
The $1.1 billion Gulf LNG Clean Energy Project to build a liquefied natural gas terminal in Pascagoula is making progress since breaking ground late last year, with dredging to be finished within days, company representatives said. (Aug 24)
LNG firm confesses link to poll — The Daily Astorian, Astoria, OR
Clatsop County residents report receiving phone calls on the referendum starting Aug. 1, but in Bradwood Landing's report the expense was dated Aug. 13.
The Secretary of State's reporting date is the day a contract is entered, not the day the bill is paid, the challengers argue.
"It's good we have forced Bradwood to admit they were behind these polls, but it doesn't change the fact that they have violated campaign finance laws and need to be held accountable," said Columbia Riverkeeper Executive Director Brent Foster.
LNG developer acknowledges election spending — (AP) OregonLive.com
Opponents of the Bradwood Landing proposal earlier accused the developers of violating elections laws by sponsoring a "push poll" without disclosing the expenditure and say the company should be fined for missing disclosure deadlines.
Backers of LNG terminal admit polling — The Oregonian, Portland, OR
Last week, two groups opposing the terminal accused Bradwood's backer, Houston-based NorthernStar Natural Gas Inc., of violating campaign finance laws by conducting "push polls" of Clatsop County voters without making required disclosures to state officials. When pollsters advocate a particular position in what is called a push poll, backers need to report the polling as a campaign contribution.
The anti-LNG groups contend NorthernStar should be subject to campaign finance fines because its disclosure came well after the applicable deadline.
Webmaster's Comments: NorthernStar, like Calais LNG, Downeast LNG, and Quoddy Bay LNG, by their unsavory tactics, are damaging the reputation and credibility of the natural gas industry.
Jordan Cove energy project clears hurdle for new LNG terminal — LCG Consulting - Energy Online, Los Altos, CA
LCG, August 26, 2008--The Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) last Friday denied an appeal that would block the proposed Jordan Cove Energy Project. The LNG terminal is proposed to be built at Coos Bay, Oregon to receive liquefied natural gas (LNG) for re-delivery to the Pacific Northwest and adjacent markets via an expanded interstate pipeline system.
Deadline Tuesday to sign up to vote — The Daily Astorian, Astoria, OR
Voters are deciding whether to allow Clatsop County zoning laws to be changed to allow cable or pipelines in open spaces, parks or recreational areas. (Aug 25)
2008–2009 edition of Interstate Natural Gas Infrastructure Map Book now available [Press release] — (BusinessWire) StreetInsider.com, Birmingham, MI
Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Interstate Natural Gas Infrastructure Map Book" report to their offering.
The new and improved 2008–2009 edition of the Interstate Natural Gas Infrastructure Map Book is a highly improved and expanded version of the original 2007 edition. More than 160 pages of statistical information and beautifully rendered maps. Besides adding close to 20 new interstate pipelines, the new book includes lots of new features.
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Progress stalled on shoreline LNG plan — Gloucester County Times, Woodbury, NJ
Almost five months after the U.S. Supreme Court determined that the state of Delaware can block the construction of a 2,200-foot pier jutting out from the Gloucester County shoreline of the Delaware River, little progress has been made on a controversial liquefied natural gas project.
Under BP's plans, a portion of the proposed pier would have terminated in a part of the river claimed by the State of Delaware, violating the state's Coastal Zoning Act. (Aug 24)
LNG terminal decision just weeks away — WKRG TV, Mobile, AL
A liquified natural gas terminal could be built 63 miles from Alabama's coast if a proposal has its way. And that decision could be made in the next few weeks.
TORP Technology is the company behind the proposal to build a terminal that uses an "open loop system"--a process that involves using sea water.
"There are closed loop alternatives that heat the super cool liquified natural gas back up to a gaseous state without using the warmth of the water to do it and they don't kill anything,"said [David Underhill of Mobile Bay Sierra Club].
AES still “hopeful” LNG projects would move forward — The Bahama Journal, Nassau, Bahamas
AES has been seeking approval to build an LNG facility in the Bahamas at Ocean Cay since 2001 when the Free National Movement initially held office. The company, however, was only given approval in principle.
[Local environmental activist Sam Duncombe] … noted that because the Bahamas is one of the richest countries in the Caribbean, it should be at the forefront when it comes to finding alternative sources of energy. "We need to get to the table and rethink this whole model," Duncombe said. (Aug 22)
Commissioners hear petition of LNG foes, OK contract for jail design — The Creative Coast Alliance, Savannah, GA
Opponents of El Paso Corp.’s liquefied natural gas import facility requested on Friday that Chatham County commissioners pass an ordinance prohibiting expansion of the facility on Elba Island near downtown Savannah.
The business of change — Fort Worth Business Press, Fort Worth, TX
Recently, Freeport LNG, which operates a South Texas liquefied natural gas terminal that imports LNG from overseas, filed a request to export natural gas. And the reason? With the increased availability of shale gas and lower prices in the U.S., it makes more sense to export than to import. In other words, we’re starting to produce enough natural gas for our own consumption. [Red & bold emphasis added.]
Webmaster's Comments: The message is clear: Calais LNG, Downeast LNG, and Quoddy Bay LNG have missed the boat. It's time for them to turn around and go home.
Ore. board denies appeal of LNG berth permit — (AP) KGW, Portland, OR
Oregon regulators have dismissed the appeal of a permit to dig a berth on Coos Bay's North Spit for liquefied natural gas tankers.
The Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals agreed with a Coos County decision on all points.
Webmaster's Comments: The article doesn't make clear the results of the decision. The appeal challenged approval of the permit to dredge. The regulators' decision confirms approval to dredge.
Test finds LNG hostlers emit more NOx than diesel hostlers — The Cunningham Report, Long Beach, CA
Three prototype liquefied natural gas-powered yard hostlers in use over an eight-month span gave off about 21 percent more NOx than 2005-model onroad diesel yard hostlers, according to the results of a newly released study. The prototypes were part of a project at the Port of Long Beach to determine the commercial viability of replacing off-road, diesel-fueled vehicles with cleaner, LNG-fueled units.
But the $1 million project, which wa
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