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31 January 2008

Worker dies at LNG construction site — CBC News

A worker at the Canaport LNG construction site in Saint John fell to his death Wednesday night.

Subcontractor Joseph Omer Allain, 44, of Bouctouche, N.B., died after falling about 35 metres while working inside a large tank, said Canaport officials.

US judge backs Indians in royalty suit against government — Platts

"A remedy must be found for [Interior's] unrepaired, and irreparable, breach of its fiduciary duty over the last century," Robertson wrote. Interior had argued that it had a workable plan for accounting for the royalties, but that it would be expensive and take years to finish. But Robertson rejected that claim, saying "the time has come to bring this suit [by the Indians] to a close."

Robertson said he would schedule a hearing within 30 days to determine how Interior should account for the money owed the Indians.

Webmaster's Comments: This case has lasted more than a decade, with over 3,000 document filings. It is a shameful demonstration of how contemptuous the Bureau of Indian Affairs/ Department of Interior has been toward the very people of whose rights they were entrusted — in the same negligent and contemptible way that they handed over the rights of the Passamaquoddy to Quoddy Bay LLC/LNG.

Competing pipelines good for business — The Chronicle Herald, Halifax, NS

[C]ompetition is a good thing, and having two major pipelines serving Nova Scotia has the potential of creating an energy storage hub in Nova Scotia. It could have the affect of keeping transmission costs lower, thus attracting new sources of natural gas, not only from Nova Scotia’s offshore but from supplies of liquefied natural gas that land in Nova Scotia. It could also attract natural gas from Newfoundland’s offshore. (Jan 26)

Lawmakers push buffer zone that would kill LNG project — AP, SouthCoastToday.com, MA

As is, Weaver's Cove Energy already faces a tough battle. The Coast Guard has already ruled that the Taunton River approaching the would-be site of the terminal is unsafe for navigation by massive LNG tankers.

Federal appeals court hears arguments in LNG case — AP, phillyBurbs.com, Philadelphia, PA

RICHMOND, Va. - It could be months before a federal appeals court issues a ruling in the legal battle between Baltimore County and the energy company that wants to build a liquefied natural gas terminal at Sparrows Point, near Dundalk, Md.

Plans for Long Island LNG plant move ahead — The Block Island Times, Block Island, RI

Tankers for the floating plant, which would be connected to an undersea pipeline and supply LNG to New York and Connecticut, would either pass through Block Island Sound or approach from the north after passing between the island and Montauk, N.Y. (Jan 29)

Judges have many queries in LNG case — The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore, MD

"They're some of the living, breathing human beings this affects," said County Attorney John E. Beverungen, gesturing to a group of Dundalk-area residents who are opposed to the plant and traveled to Richmond, some leaving at 4:30 a.m., to hear the arguments before the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. (Jan 30)

According to the natural gas workshop report from La Jolla, California on June 28, 2006, hosted by the Institute of the Americas, at the actual rates of production, there is enough natural gas in Canada for the next 57 years.

The above-noted report also states Canada does not need to develop LNG in order to meet its future electricity demands.

Webmaster's Comments: And, the LNG import capacity in the United States has already been over-permitted to the point that many of the permitted projects won't be built. Market and investment reality hasn't yet sunk in with LNG gold-rush-drunk speculators.

LNG opponents across state to rally in Salem next week — The World, Coos Bay, OR

The purpose of the rally, organizers said, is to provide a venue for residents to demand that Gov. Ted Kulongoski use the full power of state law to stop proposed LNG terminals planned for Coos Bay and on the Columbia River.

Social compacts and LNG development — Energy Current, Houston, TX

At issue is whether the United States and the West in general should rely upon such an essential commodity from nations whose economic and social values may not be in synch with each other. Many say "no." Many others, however, say we have no choice. (Jan 30)

NFPA 59A: Standard for the Production, Storage, and Handling of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) — National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA

Chapter 5: Plant Siting and Layout
5.2.1.4 The provisions…that apply to adjoining property or waterways shall be permitted to be waived or altered at the discretion of the authority having jurisdiction where the change does not constitute a distinct hazard to life or property or conflict with applicable federal, state and local (national, provinical, and local) regulations. [Red emphasis added.] (2006 edition)

Webmaster's Comments: In other words, LNG terminals must not be located where they provide a hazard to life or property. The proposed Downeast LNG and Quoddy Bay LNG terminal projects — according to federally-defined hazard and exclusion zones — clearly violate the above standard:

— All on public property.

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30 January 2008

Two birds with one stone: The LNG rush, energy & fisheries — The Sandpiper, Atlantic Canada Chapter, Sierra Club of Canada

[T]he proponents of LNG claim that their energy source is cleaner than existing ones and will answer the need for more energy. In fact, the overall process of drilling gas from foreign countries with lax environmental regulations, then liquefying, transporting, regasifying, piping and burning it is detrimental to the overall health of the planet and its species, which includes us. Despite the proponents’ claims, recent studies indicate that LNG is in fact not any cleaner than other sources of fuel, especially when considering green house gas (GHG) emissions (Aune et al, 2004: Tan and Culaba, 2002; Bains, K et al.; 2006 (unpublished)). Plain and simple, the benefits of natural gas as a cleaner fossil fuel are lost when it is transformed into LNG. Therefore importing LNG is not a strategy for reducing GHG emissions or being more environmentally friendly. [Red emphasis added.] (PDF, 704KB; Summer 2007)

City of Boston requests extension of comment period in Distrigas tariff abandonment — LNG Law Blog, Washington, DC

Boston argues that it has not had enough time to consider the impact that the transition would have on LNG vessel traffic through Boston Harbor and the development of regional LNG infrastructure in the Northeast. (Jan 29)

LNG bill gets hearing at Statehouse — The Herald News, Fall River, MA

The bill says the import terminals may not be built within one mile of residences, schools, hospitals and related areas. LNG tankers would also need a 1,500-foot clearance along the shore from those restricted areas. (Jan 28)

Senate Committee to consider Taunton River bill — LNG Law Blog, Washington, DC

[T]he Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will consider on Wednesday a bill that would designate portions of the Taunton River, including the site of the proposed Weaver's Cove LNG terminal, as "wild and scenic," which may prevent the terminal from being constructed. (Jan 29)

Cummings calls for new LNG terminal security measures — Marine Log, New York, NY

Congressman Cummings is Chair of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, and is senior member of the Committee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.

[T]he Coast Guard does not have the resources it needs to provide these security services while continuing all of its other vital missions.

Despite the obvious red flags that this situation should raise, FERC was unable to explain what impact the lack of Coast Guard resources would have on a pending terminal application.

[A]s I argued earlier this year, we also need a national policy on terminal sitings.

…I included in the 2007 Coast Guard Reauthorization Act, H.R. 2830, a provision that would prohibit the Coast Guard from approving a facility security plan for an LNG terminal until the service has certified that the Coast Guard sector in which the terminal is located has all of the assets it needs to provide security around the terminal and around LNG tankers serving the terminals when they are traveling in Coast Guard-imposed security zones. [Red and bold emphasis added.] (Jan 29)

Webmaster's Comments: Congressman Cummings' bill would prevent all of the proposed LNG projects in Passamaquoddy Bay, since — considering the lack of need for these projects, the inability of these projects to meet LNG industry standards, and Canada's refusal to allow LNG transits into Passamaquoddy Bay — the likelihood of meeting the bill's requirements for these projects brings their probability of success to around zero.

LNG suit getting noticed — The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore, MD

According to some experts, energy companies and local governments nationwide are interested in how successful Baltimore County is at using a federally and state-mandated program designed to protect coastal areas to defeat the controversial LNG project.

Donald Santa, a former member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and president of the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America, agreed that both companies and local governments will be monitoring the outcome of the federal appeal.

Webmaster's Comments: Here's another case of a former government regulator now being employed by the very industry he regulated. Federal law should require that at least five-years elapse after any regulatory personnel leaves government employment before that person can obtain employment within the industry s/he regulated. The current absence of such law allows for "cozy" relationships between regulators and operators in the subject industry, and — at the least — gives the appearance of impropriety.

Another example: Richard Hoffmann, who left as Director of FERC's Division of Gas, Environment and Engineering, Office of Energy Products, on 2008 January 21, to become executive director of the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) Foundation, Inc.

New drive under way to head off LNG project — The Globe and Mail, Toronto, ON

QUEBEC -- Just when the Quebec government believed all major hurdles had been cleared for the construction of the Rabaska liquefied natural gas terminal near Quebec City, opponents have mounted a major campaign to stop the project in its tracks.

TransCanada gasline application fails to meet Alaska law: memo — Platts

Alaska legislators have been advised that TransCanada Corporation's application for a state gas pipeline license under the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act does not qualify under the law because of conditions the Canadian pipeline company placed in its proposal, according to a confidential legal opinion by attorneys under contract to the Alaska Legislature that was obtained by Platts. (Jan 29)

LNG could 'bridge' energy gap — The Daily Astorian, Astoria, OR

"I still support the Coos Bay facility," Kulongoski said.

The governor recalled a statement he made to a young person about energy development at a recent forum: "I told him, 'If you do not help me build a bridge, and you have taken everything off the table, then you are telling me that you want the next generation of young Americans to spend their time in the Middle East defending oil fields,' because I think that's what's ultimately going to happen to us if we do not get some rational debate about how we build this bridge to make this country energy independent." (Jan 29)

Webmaster's Comments: Gov. Kulongoski derides "defending oil fields" in the Middle East, but simultaneously promotes importing LNG from some of the same places — all while ignoring the LNG industry's own terminal siting standards as they apply to the Oregon proposals. Hypocrisy is alive in Oregon government.

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28 January 2008

Website posting of draft results of Perry survey sparks questions — The Quoddy Tides, Eastport, ME

The draft results of a comprehensive plan survey for the towns of Perry and Pembroke were prematurely posted to a "Quoddy" Google group website. The website claim is that "65% strongly oppose LNG project in Perry," but it also says that the survey is "a draft text that may be revised." The website lists Art MacKay, an LNG opponent from St. Andrews, as its editor. (Jan 25)

Webmaster's Comments: The news writer should had written, instead, that a member of the Perry Comprehensive Plan Committee believes it had been released prematurely. For a newspaper to criticize public information access is a contradiction of their purpose.

In any event, the survey respondents indicated a strong opposition to the proposed Quoddy Bay LNG project. Whether or not town officials agree with the survey results is a different matter.

LNG part of Perry's comp plan ends up on Canadian website — WQDY-FM, Calais, ME

It says, "Attached are the results for the recent survey for the Comprehensive Plan Revision. Take special note of the extremely strong sentiment (about 65%) very opposed to the LNG terminal and the temporary labor camp that is part of the Quoddy Bay proposal."

It further states, "this is a DRAFT text and may be revised."

Webmaster's Comments: Although the text of the released survey results were labeled "Draft," it is unlikely that the results data contained significant inaccuracies, unless the survey, data calculations, or draft report were conducted in an unprofessional manner.

Freighter loses power while traveling through passage — The Quoddy Tides, Eastport, ME

Morrison says liquified natural gas (LNG) companies recently had the pilots take safety training to demonstrate that it is possible to take LNG ships through Head Harbour Passage. (Jan 25)

Webmaster's Comments: It is equally possible to demonstrate that a person can go over Niagara Falls in a barrel and survive, or for a speeding car to successfully leap a row of buses. That doesn't mean it's advisable to do it.

If the above incident had been an LNG vessel and two of the tractor tugs lost power, a decidedly different scenario might have occurred.

Company revives third LNG proposal for Quoddy region — The Quoddy Tides, Eastport, ME

"They have ignored the LNG industry's own terminal-siting standards — as developed by the world LNG authority, Society of International Gas Terminal and Tanker Operators — and have not comprehended that Canada, a sovereign nation with rights equal to the United States, will not allow LNG transits into Passamaquoddy Bay."

Noting the Quoddy Bay LNG and Downeast LNG proposals, Godfrey states that, according to industry experts, there is no need for these three additional LNG terminals in the Northeast, world LNG supplies are scarce, and the price of LNG is high because of demand in Asia and Europe. Godfrey notes that a gas industry organization, the LDC Forum-Northeast, says in its 2008-event overview statement, "High prices, supply shortages, controversies about new drilling opportunities, Middle East turmoil, volatility in the financial markets, and the Democratic gains last November all contribute to increased scrutiny of the industry. We will never again be able to fly beneath the public radar." [Red emphasis added.] (Jan 25)

Nancy Oden: A few tips for the hard times [Op-ed] — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME

The state should not encourage more methane burners as at the Pine Tree Landfill in Hampden, since methane is a key greenhouse gas. And it should not encourage the importation of LNG on the beautiful Down East Coast, since burning LNG also leads to global warming. (Jan 26)

Long Island must benefit even more from Broadwater [Editorial] — Newsday, New York, NY

Long Island homeowners and businesses will benefit from Broadwater only if there is a long-term guarantee of discounted gas to power the plants that generate our electricity. Without a guarantee, there'll be no certainty of supply or price, given the fluctuation of natural gas prices and the volatility of the world's LNG market, where tankers are often redirected at the last minute to the highest bidder. [Red emphasis added.] (Jan 27)

Long Island Sound proposal awaits crucial ruling — The New York Times, New York, NY [Free registration required]

In a letter dated Dec. 21, New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation said that company submissions for air, water and hazardous material storage permits lacked required details and that the project, as proposed, “presents significant adverse impacts to the Long Island Sound aquatic environment and fishery.” The department also said Broadwater had failed to look at Atlantic Ocean sites as part of a required assessment of alternatives. (Jan 27)

Multiple agencies to meet on LNG Feb. 13 in Astoria — The Daily Astorian, Astoria, OR

At 4 p.m. Feb. 13, four state and federal agencies will meet in Astoria to discuss the Bradwood Landing liquefied natural gas project permit application. They will take public comments until 8 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express, 204 West Marine Dr. (Jan 25)

Energy policy costs us extra — Albany Democrat-Herald, Albany, OR

Burning natural gas to create electricity is acceptable these days because it gives off only about half the carbon dioxide of burning coal. But actually, burning gas to generate power is a stupid thing to do. Once you burn the gas to heat water to create steam to drive generators to power transmission lines to go across country to turn into back into heat for water or space, more than half of the energy content of the original natural gas is wasted along the line. Still, state and national policies push for the burning of natural gas to create power. [Red emphasis added.] (Jan 27)

CB port consultants seeking public comments — The World, Coos Bay, OR

There are four studies in process concerning the port, project manager Terry Buchholz said. She’s based out of Portland with David Evans & Associates Inc., the company the port hired to do the EIS. Those include this channel study, one that looks at land use development of the container terminal, one that ponders land use for the new slip and access channel to a proposed liquefied natural gas facility, and an LNG terminal and pipeline study being done for the Jordan Cove Energy Project. (Jan 25)

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25 January 2008

Jenna Sullivan Memorial Concert this Saturday — Saint Croix Courier, St. Stephen, NB

ST. ANDREWS — A host of Charlotte County talent will be featured Saturday evening at the Jenna L. Sullivan Memorial Concert in the Van Horne ballroom at the Fairmont Algonquin.

Proceeds from the concert, which will get under way at [7 p.m. AT / 6 p.m. ET], will go towards Save Passamaquoddy Bay which is spearheading the fight against liquefied natural gas (LNG) developments in Passamaquoddy Bay. It was a cause that Sullivan supported. [Bold red emphasis added.] (Jan 22)

Meeting planned for opponents of LNG — Saint Croix Courier, St. Stephen, NB

EASTPORT — Save Passamaquoddy Bay 3-nation alliance is planning a strategy session to be held at the Eastport Arts Center Saturday, Feb.9.

Stupid LNG trick number 6 — LNGsafety Yahoo Groups

Here we have a person who advocates to the public that they can't be harmed by an LNG catastrophe, who was appointed by the head of Homeland Security to advise the Coast Guard on matters that include LNG safety, and who now is a partner in an LNG project that cannot conform to recognized LNG safety standards.

James Lewis has apparently convinced himself by his own parlor tricks, and is now willing to endanger the public with an improperly-sited LNG project of his own -- Lewis's Stupid LNG Trick Number 6. [Bold red emphasis added.]

Webmaster's Comments: James Lewis lacks veracity and is embroiled in a conflict of interest. His participation on the US Coast Guard's Chemical Transportation Advisory Committee is entirely inappropriate.

Read about James Lewis's Stupid LNG Tricks 1–5.

Downeast files amendment to modify pipeline route — LNG Law Blog, Washington, DC

Downeast Pipeline LLC has filed to amend its pending FERC application for the Downeast LNG project to modify its planned pipeline route. The amendment is in response to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's rejection of Downeast's request to cross the Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge with a portion of the pipeline.

LNG Regasified in Canada Heads for U.S. Northeast by 2009 — NGI's Daily Gas Price Index [Paid subscription required]

Breaking News from NGI's Daily Gas Price Index  posted Jan 25, 11:26 AM
Up to 99% of tanker deliveries to Canada's first liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal on the Atlantic Coast will be re-exported to the United States, sending up to a Bcf/d into New England, New York and New Jersey, possibly by late this year, according to new filings with Canada's National Energy Board (NEB).

Gas pipe proposed between Nova Scotia, Northeast U.S. — NGI's Daily Gas Price Index [Paid subscription required]

Breaking News from NGI's Daily Gas Price Index  posted Jan 25, 1:02 PM
Alberta-based Alton Natural Gas Storage LP Thursday proposed building a natural gas pipeline between central Nova Scotia and the northeastern United States.

FERC ruling has pols fuming — Shore Publishing, LLC, Madison, CT

From the governors of New York and Connecticut right down through the attorneys general to Branford First Selectman Unk DaRos, elected officials are furious with FERC’s Environmental Impact Study (EIS), decision calling it “ludicrous,” “absurd,” and a “travesty.” Gov. Rell issued a scathing press release in which she lambasted FERC officials for what she describes as an indefensible decision. “I cannot see how any reasonable person or government agency can come to this conclusion. The Broadwater project would be a travesty–the complete destruction of Connecticut’s environmental crown jewel and a total setback to the decades we have spent improving water quality and habitat in the Sound,” said Rell in a press release after the ruling. (Jan 24)

FERC moves LNG plant forward for Long Island Sound — Associated Content (AC)

Officials are expressing frustration with what they feel is a bad call by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regarding a proposed floating liquefied natural gas terminal in Long Island Sound.

FERC moves LNG plant forward — Pictorial Gazette, Guilford, CT

"We are talking about building and operating a massive, possibly hazardous industrial facility in the middle of an important estuary with sensitive natural resources. We are talking about a platform as large as an ocean liner, requiring an unprecedented and untested 950-acre safety and security zone, as well as moving security zones around incoming tankers. Let's not kid ourselves: All of this will change Long Island Sound forever." (Jan 24)

Assembly's environment chair against Broadwater — Newsday, New York, NY

Assemb. Robert Sweeney (D-Lindenhurst), a veteran legislator and the dean of the Suffolk Democratic Assembly delegation, said the project, which would be in New York waters, "has numerous economic, environmental and safety issues" which, he charged, weren't adequately addressed earlier this month in an environmental impact statement issued by the primary federal licensing body for such plants, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. (Jan 23)

ConocoPhillips: TransCanada gasline proposal hindered by $9B liability — NGI's Daily Gas Price Index [Paid subscription required]

Breaking News from NGI's Daily Gas Price Index  posted Jan 25, 11:32 AM
TransCanada, which has submitted the only Alaska gasline proposal deemed complete by the state, has a $9 billion albatross around its neck when it comes to developing its project, which makes a partnership with North Slope producer ConocoPhillips a "nonstarter," a ConocoPhillips executive told Alaska lawmakers.

Why kill salmon for California? [Editorial] — The Daily Astorian, Astoria, OR

The Bradwood project is clearly not for Oregon consumers. It is for the mother lode of all markets - California. This sort of economic colonialism ravaged rural America in the days of the robber barons.

It is excellent that the National Marine Fisheries Service is speaking the truth so forcefully. We'll not get such honesty from our county commission or county planning commission. [Red emphasis added.] (Jan 24)

Jensen sees possible LNG surplus in 2009-2010 — NGI's Daily Gas Price Index [Paid subscription required]

Breaking News from NGI's Daily Gas Price Index  posted Jan 25, 11:26 AM
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) demand and production may be slowing as a result of price and project cost increases, according to a recent study prepared for Repsol Energy North America (RENA) by Jensen Associates.

Webmaster's Comments: An LNG surplus may be heading to the US. More bad news and bad investment for Downeast LNG, Quoddy Bay LNG, and Calais LNG Project Co.

Rising global demand may lead to decreased U.S. imports — LNG Law Blog, Washington, DC

Platts LNG Daily [subscription required] reports that despite new North American terminal capacity that is scheduled to come online this year, rising LNG demand in other areas of the world may lead to decreased U.S. imports.

Webmaster's Comments: This is yet another industry report that LNG supply and pricing isn't what LNG speculators are telling the public. The LNG projects proposed for Passamaquoddy Bay are ill-thought-out, badly sited projects with no future. More of their investment goes down the drain.

NATS: U.S. LNG monthly import level on track to be lowest in five years — LNG Law Blog, Washington, DC

Citing high LNG prices in Asia, NATS reports that U.S. LNG imports and regasification in the month of January are on course to be the lowest monthly total in five years. (Jan 24)

Analyst says U.S. LNG imports expected to remain flat — LNG Law Blog, Washington, DC

Platts LNG Daily [subscription required] reports that energy industry analyst Ron Denhardt expects U.S. LNG imports to remain flat for much of the year. (Jan 24)

U.S. and Trinidad & Tobago cooperate on LNG security — LNG Law Blog, Washington, DC

Platts LNG Daily [subscription required] reports that the United States is providing technical assistance to Trinidad and Tobago as part of an effort to improve security for energy infrastructure, including security for the Atlantic LNG facility. (Jan 24)

OPEC-like gas cartel to be hot topic at Moscow meeting — NGI's Daily Gas Price Index [Paid subscription required]

Breaking News from NGI's Daily Gas Price Index  posted Jan 25, 2:30 PM
Approximately 14 major natural gas-producing countries are expected to meet in Moscow in June to discuss forming an OPEC-like cartel to control the price and supply of natural gas on the world market, the Qatari Energy Minister said in a published report.

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23 January 2008

Dedham: Be bold, business leaders told — Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME

Kurt Adams, chairman of the Maine Public Utilities Commission, said even though electricity rates strain home and business budgets, natural gas poses reliability risks and is not necessarily the best choice for the environment. (Bold red emphasis added.)

Webmaster's Comments: Even the chairman of the Maine Public Utilities Commission recognizes that natural gas isn't the best energy choice for the state or the env