Mayor bids farewell to municipal politics (Jan 24) — The Saint Croix Courier, St. Stephen, NB

Webmaster's comment: [This article is not available online.]

After 11 years in office, John Craig will not seek re-election to Saint Andrews council.

The issue with the fight against the establishment of LNG facilities in Passamaquoddy Bay was a surprise, he said, and it has taken a lot of council's time but he is hoping this is now dead with so much shale gas available.

"We had one of the biggest public meetings ever over that and filled the arena with more than a thousand people. I remember (Coun.) Mike Craig saying this is the most important issue because if we don't win this, nothing else matters.

"It took a lot of time, energy and money to fight that and thank goodness for Save Passamaquoddy Bay ended up picking up the ball for that instead of council.

"They are the ones that stayed on top of it. Thank goodness for [Save Passamaquoddy Bay-U.S.]. They are the real heroes because the people on the Canadian side were all against it whereas on the U.S. side they were not all opposed. I think the issue is dead but it is something that should be kept an eye on."

Webmaster's comment: Save Passamaquoddy Bay is exceedingly thankful to Mayor Craig for his ardent support in fighting the local LNG proposals.

Mayor Craig coordinated the Canadian municipal governments around Passamaquoddy Bay in opposing the three local LNG proposals. Then, he enlisted the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

The success of the 2005 August 22nd St. Andrews LNG Forum still impresses the memory with Mayor Craig leading the crowd in chanting "No means no!" to LNG.

On 2006 January 1, Mayor Craig presented the Mayor's 2006 "Volunteer Group of the Year Award" to Save Passamaquoddy Bay 3-Nation Alliance, for which we are all proud and grateful.

In his civilian vocation, John Craig owns the Fresh Mart grocery store in Blacks Harbour, NB.

Our thanks goes to our friend, and we wish him a prosperous future.

Another natural gas proposal — Kennebec Journal, Augusta, ME

AUGUSTA -- The parent company of Central Maine Power announced plans Monday to bring a natural gas pipeline into the city.

It's not affiliated with Portland-based Kennebec Valley Gas Co., which has proposed a much larger pipeline for central Maine. That 56-mile pipeline would start at an existing compressor station on the same Maritimes and Northeast pipeline in Richmond, and continue north through Gardiner and Augusta, up to Madison.

Maine Natural Gas' long-term plans include a second phase crossing the Kennebec River and extending along Western Avenue and Leighton Road, to the north Augusta commercial area, starting next year.

Bob Kump, CEO of Iberdrola USA, said in a prepared statement that the service to Augusta would be the third expansion of the Maine Natural Gas franchise since 2010, following recent expansions to Freeport and Bath. [Red emphasis added.]

Webmaster's comment: Two natural gas distribution companies are vying for Augusta's business, as testament to there being no shortage of natural gas in Maine.

Maine Natural Gas proposes new gas pipeline to Augusta [Press release] (Jan 30) — PR Newswire

Depending on discussions with potential customers, MNG will apply for state and local permits this spring, and hopes to begin the first phase of construction to the city's east side this year. MNG's plans include a second phase of construction that would cross the Kennebec and extend along Western Avenue and the Leighton Road to the North Augusta commercial area in 2013. The line will have sufficient capacity for expansion into the surrounding residential areas as well. Following recent expansions to Freeport and Bath, the service to Augusta will be the third expansion of the MNG franchise since 2010. [Red emphasis added.]

What's going on offshore? — Marblehead Patch, Marblehead, MA

For the past month, two industrial-type vessels have been parked on the horizon off our causeway.

The Gateway Endeavor is a 38-meter passenger boat that works around-the-clock to guard the LNG (liquefied natural gas) lines running into Boston. The lines, which are located about 15 miles off shore, are constantly checked and maintained.

Assisting the Endeavor is the Tug Independence, which is a 128-foot offshore terminal tug which is "meant for the critical job of assisting LNG tankers," according to the Coast Guard. [Red emphasis added.]

Weaver's Cove has 'for sale' sign, but Hess' plans remain unclear (Jan 30) — The Herald News, Fall River, MA

A committee of politicians and area residents is busy planning the future of nearly 70 acres once set aside for an LNG terminal. But some observers are questioning whether Hess LNG, which owns the land, even intends to sell.

A generic "for sale" sign hangs at the entrance to the property, but it's more notable for what is not there: any mention of a real-estate agent or any contact information.

When he asked about the "for sale" sign, the person [at Hess Energy corporate offices] told Carvalho to call the number on the sign. [Red emphasis added.]

ConocoPhillips says more study needed of Alaska LNG exports (Jan 30) — Daily News-Miner, Fairbanks, AK

In a conference call on the company's fourth-quarter earnings, a ConocoPhillips executive gave a highly guarded response regarding future LNG exports from Alaska, saying it is something that needs more study.

The exchange about natural gas was more about cutting back than expansion.

"And it is really not just thinking about it from the perspective of Lower 48 natural gas production, but as we think about what long-term alternatives are for Canadian gas production, and importantly, as we think about what alternatives could be for development of the North Slope gas in Alaska. Those are all things that we'll be investigating whether liquefaction and export of natural gas makes sense going forward."

ConocoPhillips sidestepping Alaska LNG exports? — Alaska Dispatch, Anchorage, AK

There may be a rally going on in the halls of Juneau to liquefy and export Alaska's natural gas to Asia. But ConocoPhillips doesn't seem as enthusiastic, according to an article Monday in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.

When asked about Alaska's LNG export prospects during a recent conference call on Conoco's fourth-quarter earnings, a spokesperson for the supermajor said "more study was needed" on how to market natural gas -- and where -- before anything else happens.