LNG: Calais LNG drops lump of coal in Quoddy's Xmas Stocking!

The post below appeared 2 years ago. DLNG remains in the game this Christmas and concerned citizens need to stay engaged on this issue.

While groups and individuals around the Passamaquoddy Bay area, celebrate the withdrawal of State of Maine apl;lications, CLNG dropped a lump of coal into their Christmas Stockings by requesting the further indulgence of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. See the entire letter at: http://www.scribd.com/doc/45554014/CLNG-abandons-State-Applications-but-requests-FERC-s-indulgence

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• LNG: Lack of rights to intertidal zone may kill DELNG's proposal to FERC
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LNG: Canada Remains Opposed to LNG in Passamaquoddy Bay.

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LNG: US Natural Gas Production Obsoletes Proposed Downeast LNG Project

Dean Girdis

2011 Nov 14

The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) announced new information on November 8 that US domestic natural gas production is expected to reach record highs in 2012. Conversely, it also expects liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports to drop from a 2007 high of 770.8 billion cubic feet (bcf) for the entire year (2.111 bcf/day)[1] to an amazing low of only 0.7 bcf/day.[2] And, LNG imports from Trinidad — the US's closest and greatest LNG supplier — have dropped 66%, due to flourishing US natural gas production according to Trinidad and Tobago Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine on November 13.[3]

"The proposed Downeast LNG project principals have said for over six years that they planned to build an LNG import facility with a daily capacity of 0.5 bcf/day," said Save Passamaquoddy Bay researcher and webmaster Robert Godfrey. "The government indicates that the entire country is destined to import only slightly more LNG than is being proposed by still-unpermitted Downeast LNG. Downeast LNG's proposed project is completely unreasonable and unrealistic from any business or logical perspective. And, the US already has 13 other nearly-idle LNG import terminals — with a total capacity of 18.835 bcf/day — 27 times greater than the entire country will use next year. "What planet are the Downeast LNG principals and investors on?" asked Godfrey. "Downeast LNG has no permit applications with the State of Maine, having withdrawn their state permit applications in 2007 after going all the way through the process, including formal hearings, before determining permitting would be denied. Downeast LNG is over two years late in responding to questions from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the lead permitting agency. Downeast LNG is also a year late in answering additional FERC questions, and has just notified FERC — on the November 8 date due — that they would be late in answering a third set of questions. The idea of a Downeast LNG terminal in Passamaquoddy Bay is a non-starter.

"The US already has many times more LNG import infrastructure than it can possibly use due to the industry's previous rush to build unneeded terminals. And now, due to the well-documented, decades-long domestic natural gas glut the country is facing, the industry is actually starting a mad rush to export LNG overseas," Godfrey said. "Downeast LNG's bald assertion that their ill-conceived, wrongly-sited proposed project it is still needed staggers the mind. There is plentiful natural gas in the US, the Northeast, New England, and downeast Maine without yet another defunct-before-it's-even-permitted, idle LNG terminal — especially an inappropriately-sited one like Downeast LNG."

On November 8 the US Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources held a hearing on exporting LNG.[4] Representatives from the US Department of Energy, Rice University Institute for Public Policy, and Shell Exploration & Production Company testified that such great quantities of domestic natural gas exist that LNG exports are in the public interest. The Hamilton, Ohio, Director of Underground Utilities testified that the US is in the enviable position of establishing energy independence, and no longer needs to import natural gas. "Regardless of advocating exporting or not," Godfrey said, "the testimony indicates that domestic natural gas is available in massive, decades-long supply, eliminating the need to import LNG."

"What's more," Godfrey continued, "Downeast LNG cannot meet the US Coast Guard's requirements regarding LNG ship safety and security. The Coast Guard has stipulated that Downeast LNG must obtain Government of Canada cooperation and coordination for safe and secure LNG ship transits through both Canadian and US waters.[5] Canada has resolutely and repeatedly indicated it will not do so.[6]

"The Coast Guard also requires Downeast LNG to obtain letters of approval from Native American tribes whose waterway rights would be impacted by Downeast LNG's project. And yet, Downeast LNG has made the offensive, inaccurate claim that Native Americans have no rights in the waterway[7]," Godfrey said.

"It's time Downeast LNG's Dean Girdis and cohorts, and their venture-capital partners, Kestrel Energy Partners and Yorktown Energy Partners, faced reality. Downeast LNG was years-late, inappropriately-sited, and surplus even when first proposed in 2005. It is grossly more so now, with insurmountable obstacles. There is no demonstrable need — in fact, quite the opposite. It's time for Downeast LNG and their venture capitalists to face reality, cease their fruitless delays, stop wasting everyone's time, and go home," Godfrey concluded.

Footnotes:
[1] US Energy Information Administration, http://www.eia.gov/dnav/ng/hist/n9103us2A.htm
[2] Reuters, http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/08/eia-outlook-natgas-idAFN1E7A718R20111108
[3] Bloomberg Businessweek, http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-11-13/trinidad-lng-exports-to-u-s-plunge-on-shale-gas-supply-rise.html
[4] US Senate, http://energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Hearings.Hearing&Hearing_ID=45ea3a80-f5d7-bfba-b023-31a9da05de0a
[5] US Coast Guard, http://www.savepassamaquoddybay.org/ferc/elibrary/formal_filing/delng_CP07-52/2009/USCG_LOR-WSR_DeLNG_binder_20090106-4001.pdf (PDF file, 12.5 MB)
[6] Bangor Daily News, http://bangordailynews.com/2010/07/01/news/canada-standing-tough-on-lng-tanker-passage/
[7] FERC, Draft Environmental Impact Statement, 4.8--Socioeconomics, page 4-286 last paragraph to page 4-287 first paragraph, http://elibrary.ferc.gov/idmws/common/OpenNat.asp?fileID=12019765
-----
Save Passamaquoddy Bay (SPB) is an alliance of citizens from the U.S., the Passamaquoddy Tribe, and Canada, who oppose siting LNG industrial facilities in Passamaquoddy Bay, and who advocate adherence to world-recognized LNG terminal siting best safe practices as published by the Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators (SIGTTO). SPB advocates creative-economy, tradition-based, and tourism-based economic development for the international Passamaquoddy Bay area.


Robert Godfrey
Save Passamaquoddy Bay 3-nation alliance (US, Passamaquoddy, and Canada)
PO Box 222
Eastport, ME 04631
(207)853-2922 (Old Sow Publishing)
info@SavePassamaquoddyBay.org


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LNG: Quick status report from Passamaquoddy Bay

Image via Wikipedia

The Latest Update to the Save Passamaquoddy Bay website:

LNG Developers in Passamaquoddy Bay
Updated status of LNG projects.
Downeast LNG — Over 2 Years Late answering technical questions, still in FERC permitting process.
Calais LNG — No money, no terminal site, no office, still inactively present in the FERC permitting process.
Quoddy Bay LNG — This project is still permanently dead.

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The Fundy tides of change threaten to sink Dean Girdis of Downeast LNG

Dean Girdis of Downeast LNG has been spinning and spinning; blaming the Irvings, the government of NB, the government of Canada and anyone he can think of for Canada's stand on the passage of LNG tankers through Head Harbour Passage when, all along, its been the people here who have sought and received the support from their politicians to protect a sustainable economy based on the most unique ecosystem on the east coast; an economy that employs thousands and brings in 1/2 to 1 billion dollars each year. Well this article by Girdis in the BDN sings the same divisive songs he been singing since this Yankee carpetbagger arrived.

But guess what? Read the comments to his article. His hold on intelligent Mainers is disappearing before his very eyes. Amazing! I have renewed faith and pride in our friends "Ova the riva". Thanks on behalf of everyone over here, eh!!



Time to "put a sock in it" Dean and head home to Washington, DC.


Art


PS. Remember Dean? I think it was the Bangor airport where I told you I would be there to take you on no matter what. Now my friends, lets turn the screws harder on Downeast LNG and Calais LNG. They care not for us and it is truly a battle - winner take all!


*******************************************


Canada expects Maine to be its energy doormat  by Dean Girdis

http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/127794.html

While Maine is open to being New Brunswick’s energy partner, Canada expects Maine to be New Brunswick’s energy doormat.
New Brunswick has ambitious plans to become an energy hub. It touts its nuclear power plant, oil refinery, hydropower and LNG terminal — boasting on the provincial Web site “We have the infrastructure and distribution systems to deliver this energy to the Eastern United States. We are geographically ideal to reach these markets.”
Ideally located, they might add, as long as they can use Maine to get their energy to population centers in the U.S.
You would think that this would be a great opportunity for Maine and New Brunswick to work together, especially given the long-standing economic and social ties between these neighbors.
Unfortunately, Canada doesn’t really want a partnership. A real partnership would have benefits for Maine, too. Instead, New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham, MP Greg Thompson and other Canadian politicians are indulging in a totally self-serving double standard when it comes to their opposition to LNG across the border in Maine.
Five years ago, Downeast LNG set out to build a safe and environmentally sound project that will bring many new good-paying jobs to Washington County and create a new source of clean-burning natural gas for Maine and the Northeast. Agreeing with Gov. John Baldacci that no major development project in Maine should go forward without the support of local residents, we sought and received the overwhelming support of the people of Robbinston.
Permitting a project of this magnitude has been a long and difficult road, but we have pushed on, knowing that we have the strong support of local residents and government and business leaders throughout Maine.
In recent months, Gov. Baldacci and Sen. Susan Collins, in particular, have been especially forceful with Canadian officials in asserting the right of all ships — including LNG ships — to transit the international waters of Passamaquoddy Bay to reach Maine ports, and we appreciate their efforts.
All we have asked for is a fair and transparent review of our project based on its merits. That is what we have received from U.S. authorities. In January, we received a favorable waterway report from the U.S. Coast Guard, which said “the Passamaquoddy Bay Waterway is suitable for the type and frequency of marine traffic associated with this proposed project.”
That was followed in May by a draft environmental impact statement from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, the lead permitting authority, which said that the environmental impacts of our project would be “reduced to less-than-significant levels with the implementation of the applicants’ proposed mitigation measures and the additional measures we recommend.”
But despite the fact that our project is receiving intense scrutiny from federal regulators — much greater than a similar project would receive in Canada — Canadian politicians just continue to say “no way.” Acting like petulant children, they aren’t about to let facts, reason, precedent or even international law get in their way.
New Brunswick Premier Graham tells FERC that our project would negatively affect New Brunswick’s environment, its tourism and its environmental-based economy, as well as its residents’ safety and security (but apparently their industrial ports, nuclear power plants and oil refineries are just fine.)
Even the Canadian ambassador to the U.S. has gotten into the act, telling FERC that Canada opposes the project because of concerns about “navigational safety, environmental and other impacts.”
Well, the Coast Guard already has addressed navigational safety, not to mention the fact that hundreds of large ships safely transit these waters each year to get to Eastport and the Port of Bayside in New Brunswick. FERC certainly is addressing the environmental issues, as will the Maine Board of Environmental Protection.
Honestly, if all of these Canadian politicians were really concerned about navigation, public safety and the environment, there would be no rock quarry or shipping at Bayside, no nuclear power plant a short distance from the Maine border at Point Lepreau, no oil refinery in Saint John.
What they really are concerned about is protecting New Brunswick’s economic interests, because what they really want is a one-way energy highway through Maine that only benefits Canada.
Thankfully, Maine’s leaders are standing up to the shameless hypocrisy coming from New Brunswick and the Canadian federal government, and all Maine people should support them. If New Brunswick wants a real partner, great. If it just wants to walk all over Maine on its way to lucrative U.S. energy markets, let them find another route.
Dean Girdis is the founder and president of Downeast LNG in Robbinston.

*******************************

Here's some of the comments. Go here to read everything. http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/127794.html

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On 11/2/09 at 8:24 PM, pizanos wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

If the US would sign the International Law of the Sea Treaty, which has been ratified by 158 countries, including Canada, the US could effectively sue Canada under international law. The treaty has been consistently opposed by a number of outspoken Members of Congress, Senator Imhofe most prominently among them, so suit under that Treaty isn't currently an option. The Obama administration has pledged to seek congressional approval of the Treaty.

On 11/3/09 at 12:08 AM, stanleydevoe wrote: Click here to view hidden comment         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden 

 

You don't have to give up your life to further your education - Get a degree in Medical Assistant and get a job check out http://bit.ly/3ZRQwI

Report abuse

On 11/3/09 at 1:39 AM, , wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

It would be horrible for Mainers to get our electricity from Canada cheaper . We pay 40% more than the rest of the country now. How does this affect business? We are told we need jobs. But the jobs are short term construction. Business is driven out by the corrupt policies of ME state govt.

ME has an excess of power supply-can produce over 3200 megawatts, but uses only 900 on an average day.Gov Baldaci and ME state govt says we have to get away from foreign oil. Iberdrola out of Spain is funded by Abu Dhabi Energy. They own Central Maine Electric and Maine Public Gas.

Gov Baldaci says we need clean energy and Stetson Mt wind farm is online. But they aren't. There is a bottleneck in Orrington. The power cannot go any further.Stetson II is being built by tax payer money. They have to have the 1.4 billion dollars worth of transmission lines to sell power to Mass.How does this help US. Our power bills go up.A wind farm employs only a few people...and they are from out of state.

Maine has an excess of power supply-can produce over 3200 megawatts, but uses only 900 on an average day.

We need A JUSTICE DEPT. INVESTIGATION INTO ME ENERGY POLICIES AND LAWS. Don't think all the permitting for First Wind when they have no money is exactly legal. The Rollins Project is under litigation, First Wind is broke and still they are blasting and putting in roads. Stetson Mt wind farm is not online but they are selling carbon credits. Kibby wind farm built by TransCanada is not online but they can't sell carbon credits. Different laws for First Wind. Forget the Attorney General's office ...they say it is not their concern.

When are our newspapers going to print the truth? When will they stop transcribing for First Wind and ME state govt.

On 11/3/09 at 1:52 AM, , wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Gov Baldacci got in a twit when he found out that the west was ahead on wind farms and would be selling power to the east. How does that coincide with we need wind farms for clean energy and to get away from foreign oil? Sounds more like good 'ol boys taking care of each other.

FERC just decreed that the power plants have to pay for the transmission lines in the WEST. Not rate payers. Up front money. Fixed that problem.

Then Gov. Baldacci got all concerny because Canada might sell energy cheaper...kinda' put First Wind , his best buds, out of business.How does that coincide with we need wind farms for clean energy and to get away from foreign oil?

Not to worry , in a few days , it will be announced Canada can't sell to NY and New England. Things just get fixed like that. BDN will report GREAT. We are stuck with corrupt energy policy and high prices. Not in those words. Just look at this editorial. They 'll figure it out to make it look like the good and decent thing to do..Pay high prices.High prices will go even higher ...but don't worry. It's just the right thing to do.

On 11/3/09 at 1:59 AM, , wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

New Brunswick cares about tourism and the environment ....so they don't want the LNG facility . That is just reprehensible. The facility would not give ME jobs. It woud be a few for highly skilled people. Our Coast Guard has had major reservations about safety issues. This is the most useless editorial I have ever read.

Susan Collins voted with bush to fund 2 wars ..without giving a good reason.
Bankrupted the treasury and destroy the constitution. So if she wants the LNG facility , it must be something.

On 11/3/09 at 8:47 AM, HarryHSnyderIII wrote:

ANYONE who has regular contact with Canadians and the citizens of New Brunswick in particular knows how ludicrous this contention is. Canada has regularly been used as a "doormat" by the USA and they respond with friendship. I much prefer them as neighbors, rather than Mr. Girdis. The "NO LNG" sign remains at the foot of this citizen's Washington County driveway.

On 11/3/09 at 9:04 AM, David889327 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

What's so wrong with getting energy from Canada? It's a commodity. And they're probably not going to put us over a barrel for supporting Israel.

On 11/3/09 at 11:44 AM, arrogantdan wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I 200% agree with Dean Girdis on this issue. We voted for and passed LNG developement in Calais, Robbinston and Perry. If we allow the Canadians to supply our energy needs, we deserve high prices.

On 11/3/09 at 1:07 PM, garylg wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

First of all I must correct arrogantdan when He/she says we voted and passed LNG in Calais, Robbinston, and Perry. Perry in fact voted against the LNG facility that was proposed for our town. They now have folded their tent and slunk off in the night. As to the Op-Ed comments made by Girdis he should quit whining. He is blaming Canada for all the bad choices his company made when they came here in the first place. His piece is so full of mistakes it would take more time than I have to point them out, so let it suffice to say that Canada is not his biggest problem. He chose an unworkable location ;to begin with, and now the natural gas market has collapsed leaving him and his investors high and dry. Sorry Dean. You need to go back to Washington DC, and since Baldacci is soon to be out of work - you can take him with you.

On 11/3/09 at 4:31 PM, artmackay wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Actually Dean stays on message and it's getting really annoying since we uncooperative Canadians are more than fed up with being walked over, polluted, denigrated, and spat upon by our enighbours. Actually, it's the citizens of the Quoddy area (Americans AND Canadians) that are opposing the LNG developments in Passamaquoddy and OUR politicians are supporting OUR rights. It has NOTHING to do with Irving or LNG in the right place. We make 1/2 to 1 billion dollar each year from sustainable industries that depend on the environment here and we are not giving that up for some carpetbagger from Washington, DC or anywhere else for that matter.

Put a sock in it Dean and move on like a good little fellow!

PS. If Quebec Hydra (sorry Hydro) takes out NB Power, look out. They will skin you alive as soon as look at you ... they have real terrorists in that province. Check it out on wikipedia.com

On 11/3/09 at 5:05 PM, Common_Cents wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Meanwhile the Portland Oil pipeline which for decades send crude to Montreal to be refined into fuel oil, gasoline and other products; to be resold back to the U.S., is getting ready to flow in reverse delivering Alberta shale oil to Portland to be shipped to other regions of the U.S.

Like it or not; the U.S. has benefited from inexpensive energy from Canada; and Maine has simply been the route of least resistance.

Now it's cheap power; and AUGUSTAcrats who think that Maine can beat Mass. and Nova Scotia in producing off shore wind power and near shore tidal power. Ain't gonna happen, esp. since Maine produced Wind Power will cost 2-3x as much as cheap hydro from New Brunswick and Quebec.

My solution has been to welcome them and assess a tariff on every volt, gal. of crude or other energy unit as it passes through Maine and down the Atlantic seaboard.

It's a lot cheaper that way and we make a lot more money.

On 11/3/09 at 5:55 PM, , wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Stetson Mt , Stetson II and Kibby can just rot into the ground. The transmission lines are not going to be built to ruin ME and send power to Mass. NY is stopping the madness with legislation. Who knows . our lawmakers might read the tea leaves and want to stay in office.

On 11/3/09 at 5:57 PM, , wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Has the time come for the Bangor Daily News to print the truth?

On 11/3/09 at 7:11 PM, slingblade wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

More sour grapes from Dean Girdis. His project is doomed.

Canada's support would not have saved it, although by opposing the project they helped point out some of its many fatal flaws.

Ultimately the market and new technology pulled the rug out from under the three LNG projects proposed for the Bay (and of course their poor choice for siting them). Such is the fate that so many big talking speculators face when they guess wrong. And then they blame everyone else for their failure.

 

 

On 11/3/09 at 8:04 PM, arrogantdan wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

People from away like to point out how economically depressed Washington county is. We have an opportunity to have LNG facilities and what ever else that spin off from them. I think it would be nice to be able to work for good money and have stable, steady jobs for people of this area. When the pipeline was built to carry Canadian LNG the locals welcomed it with open arms, stores were bustling with activity, heck the contractors even bought local baseball teams uniforms. We need these jobs and I hope the LNG developers dont give up on us and go elsewhere because of all the negativity towards their projects. I want to personally thank Dean Girdis for giving this area a ray of hope.

Photo Credit: TJ

Bay of Fundy Whales "Speak Out" on the Threat of LNG at Quoddy

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As we have indicated through blog posts and photos from contributors in the Quoddy area, Head Harbour Passage is filled will finbacks, humpbacks, minkes, porpoise and even endangered right whales, not to mention thousands of birds, tuna, sunfish, basking sharks and more (see ilovequoddywild.blogspot.com and quoddylinkmarine.blogspot.com).

In spite of the obvious unsuitability of this passage for gigantic LNG tankers, high-powered tugs, and fast, armed security boats, Maine senators in Washington and Augusta, the Governor of Maine, and maybe, just maybe, the premier of New Brunswick don't seem to understand why this place is so valuable economically and ecologically. It isn't that they haven't been told, that's for sure.

Well, now the whales are "speaking out" through Quoddy community members whose lives are dependent on this special place. The links below are the submissions that have been sent to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in opposition to LNG terminals in Passamaquoddy Bay and tanker passage through Head Harbour Passage at Campobello. We ignore these messages at our own peril.

Docket(s):   CP07-52-000
Filing Type:  Comment on Filing
Description:  Comment of Art A. MacKay in Docket(s)/Project(s) CP07-52-000
Submission Date: 6/19/2009
To view the document for this Filing, click here 
http://elibrary.FERC.gov/idmws/file_list.asp?accession_num=20090619-5133

Docket(s):   CP07-52-000
Filing Type:  Comment on Filing
Description:  Comment of Dale Mitchell in Docket(s)/Project(s) CP07-52-000
Submission Date: 6/10/2009
To view the document for this Filing, click here 
http://elibrary.FERC.gov/idmws/file_list.asp?accession_num=20090611-5132

Docket(s):   CP07-52-000
Filing Type:  Comment on Filing
Description:  Comment of Fred  Whoriskey, JR in Docket(s)/Project(s) CP07-52-000
Submission Date: 7/3/2009

To view the document for this Filing, click here 
http://elibrary.FERC.gov/idmws/file_list.asp?accession_num=20090706-5170 

Docket(s):   CP07-52-000
   CP07-53-000
   CP07-53-001
Filing Type:  Comment on Filing
Description:  Comments of Brian William Flynn on the Downeast LNG import facility under CP07-53, et. al..

To view the document for this Filing, click here 
http://elibrary.FERC.gov/idmws/file_list.asp?accession_num=20090908-5013

Docket(s):   CP07-52-000
Filing Type:  Comment on Filing
Description:  Comment of Arthur A. MacKay. Current whale, bird, fish and human activity in Head Harbour Passage shows importance of ecosystem under CP07-52.
To view the document for this Filing, click here 
http://elibrary.FERC.gov/idmws/file_list.asp?accession_num=20090910-5004 

Docket(s):   CP07-52-000
   CP07-53-000
   CP07-53-001
Filing Type:  Comment on Filing
Description:  Comment of Save Passamaquoddy Bay regarding whale safety from LNG ship strikes under CP07-52 et al.

To view the document for this Filing, click here 
http://elibrary.FERC.gov/idmws/file_list.asp?accession_num=20090916-5006

Docket(s):   PF08-24-000
Filing Type:  Comment on Filing
Description:  Comment of Joyce Morrell, member of Save Passamaquoddy Bay Canada Inc. under PF08-24.
To view the document for this Filing, click here 
http://elibrary.FERC.gov/idmws/file_list.asp?accession_num=20090916-5012 

Photo Credit: Tim Foulkes

Province softening stance on LNG tankers in Passamaquoddy Bay

Premier Shawn Graham assures the people of Charlotte County of his support in their opposition to LNG in Passamaquoddy Bay. (Art MacKay Photo 2005)


I maintain that the position of the Government of New Brunswick has never been firm and that they have been walking a middle of the road public position with their interest in big business and political power groups taking precedence over their obligation to their constituents.

Unless they have been hiding under a rock these last few years, the Graham Government should be well aware of the position of the people of coastal Charlotte County and the reasons for their opposition to the development of ANY heavy industry in Passamaquoddy Bay, West Isles and Head Harbour Passage. If they are not, they are ignorant of the true enovironmental AND economic importance of this area; not to mention the importance of the natural resources that will become vital as we continue to experience global collpase of the oil industry and increased costs of food distribution.

With the proposed developments in tidal power in Head Harbour Passage the future looks bleak for this national treasure and the near billion dollar economy that this unique ecosystem supports.

Art

Last Updated: Monday, May 4, 2009 | 6:52 AM AT Comments1Recommend2

CBC News

The New Brunswick government has toned down its rhetoric when it comes to opposing the construction of liquefied natural gas terminals on the U.S. side of Passamaquoddy Bay.

Energy Minister Jack Keir said the province is not opposed to the terminals and will let the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission process unfold.

The province, he said, has always backed the regulatory process that will decide the fate of any planned LNG terminals in Maine.

"If the federal government, both federal governments, suggest that it is a safe and reliable terminal then everybody is in agreement on that. But the process has to take place," he said.

The federal government has strongly opposed LNG tankers in Passamaquoddy Bay and Michael Wilson, Canada's ambassador in Washington, delivered a diplomatic note in February 2007 to the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, citing safety and environmental concerns.

The letter said Canada, to protect the environment, will not permit tankers to sail through the narrow passage between New Brunswick's Deer and Campobello islands.

The government of Premier Shawn Graham said it supported the federal government's position.

"We are opposed to tanker traffic through the Passamaquoddy Bay. And our intervener status will ensure that those concerns are addressed appropriately," Graham said at the time.

The province has enlisted a Washington law firm to intervene in the U.S. regulatory process on behalf of the people of New Brunswick.

Group concerned about tone change

Jessie Davis, who heads Save Passamaquoddy Bay Canada, a group opposed to the development of LNG terminals on the bay, said she is surprised at the way Keir describes the province's position.

She said a delegation from her group went to Fredericton to meet with provincial officials two weeks ago.

"They were extremely clear at that time. They strongly oppose the terminals," she said.

Davis said her group has been assured the lawyers working on behalf of the province are still intervening against the terminals.

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FUNDY OPINION - St. Andrews citizens will be burning

By Art MacKAY

The US Coast Guard's recently released Waterway Suitability Report, prepared for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) Downeast LNG application, will have the residents of New Brunswick's premier resort area burning again.

When, on the heels of Quoddy Bay LLC's earlier proposal at Sipayik, Downeast LNG first introduced their plan to construct an LNG terminal and storage facility directly across the St.Croix River from St. Andrews at Robbinston, Me., the citizens of that resort town and the greater Quoddy Region rose as one to denounce these developments and made their position clear with submissions to FERC and government officials in both Canada and the United States. Impressive, passionate, packed public meetings and protests were held.

Subsequently, Canadian opponents to the LNG plans have been supported at every political level in Canada. Conservative Prime Minister Harper and local Member of Parliament Greg Thompson have publicly, and in closed session with President George W. Bush, expressed their firm position that tankers will not be allowed through Head Harbour Passage, the essential waterway that they consider to be internal Canadian waters and, in the long term, too valuable and hazardous a waterway to be used by super tankers. This was a similar position to that taken about 30 years ago when the Pittston Company of Greenwich, Conn., applied to turn Eastport and Moose Island into a gigantic oil refinery and tank farm, threatening fishing, tourism, marine life, and whales including the endangered north Atlantic right whale.

In previous responses to Quoddy Bay LLC, the U.S.Coast Guard stated that the participation of the Canadian government was paramount to their release of a similar report for Quoddy Bay LLC and it [participation] was withheld. This is not the case with the Downeast LNG proposal. In this case, while the report requires Canadian consultation by Downeast LNG, the USCC has chosen to assess Canadian waters without the approval of Canada, an interesting move that causes great concern in a contest that, more and more, seems to revolve around testing Canadian sovereignty and, not incidentally, Canadian resolve.

IN SPITE OF THE WEAK OUTER LINE in the accompanying chart taken from the USCC Waterway Suitability Study, St. Andrews citizens can now see that they are within the hazard zone for this development. A similar study for Calais LNG will, undoubtedly, duplicate this scenario, but will move Zone 3 more deeply into the town as tankers move up the St.Croix River.

The USCC defines these zones as:

Zone 1 — 500-metre radius with resultant fire and severe thermal radiation hazards. By definition these are areas in which LNG shipments occur in relatively narrow harbours or channels, or ships pass under major bridges or over tunnels, or come in within 500 metres of major infrastructure such as military installations, commercial/business centers, or national icons.

Zone 2 — from 500 to 1,600 metres with less severe thermal radiation hazards to public safety and property. These are areas of broader channel widths, larger open harbors, or over 500 metres from major critical infrastructure elements.

Zone 3 — from 1,600 to 3,500 metres with potential pockets of flammable vapor. These are areas where LNG traffic and deliveries occur approximately 1.6 kilometres from major infrastructure or in large bays or open water. The thermal radiation risks to public safety and property are significantly reduced.

While thermal risks may be reduced with distance, MIT Professor Emeritus James Fay, points out that the actual zone of impact, the area where fires are ignited and people suffer serious burns, may be greater than the distance used in the report. He states that, "for all credible spills, including terrorist attacks on the storage tank and LNG tanker, the danger zone for humans extends almost four miles from the terminal site" or about 2.5 kilometres, and life and property will be lost from so-called collateral impacts. This greater distance envelopes all of St. Andrews and the ability of fire departments may be non-existent since their facilities are within the real zone of impact and these professionals may well be immobilized by an event itself. The nearest assistance would be St.Stephen and St.George.

As for bringing tankers through Head Harbour Passage, this is a red herring. Of course it can be done. It's risk analysis and the real question is for how long will it take to have an accident and at what cost? Since LNG tankers can only enter and leave during the day, at slack tide (if that truly exists in some areas along the route), when the visibility is more than two miles, and the wind is less than 25 mph, then the number of days when access is available will be severely limited.

In fact, these data are available and it is a wonder that they have not been required for the USCC report and company submissions to FERC. Imagine the financial impacts to Downeast LNG and its leader Dean Girdis during those delightful years like the one when fog held to the West Isles for more than 30 days and 30 nights. At $100,000 a day, layovers add up! Passamaquoddy Bay and key fishing areas of Campobello Island could well see numerous gigantic tankers stacked up waiting to move.

Forget the hazardous passage and the Old Sow whirlpool, layovers will be substantial and local boats will be unable to pursue fishing, whale watching, and recreational activities during passage and while at anchor or at the terminal. The eco-economy of Quoddy will be effectively shut down. Since the arrival of tankers is "secret" due to fears of terrorism, local operators will have little time to respond and will be forced to the side by armed gunboats, as they are in Boston Harbour. What a delightful vision.

Unless the new administration in the United States recognizes the folly of agitating their neighbours, best friends, and largest trading partner, the first LNG explosion may be coming soon, much sooner, than anticipated by the LNG promoters. A once interesting and functional "international community" that drew upon the abundant natural resources of this unique Quoddy ecosystem, has been split asunder by these LNG development proposals.

In spite of the plethora of carpetbaggers who have wandered through Charlotte and Washington counties, some folks have never stopped looking for the knight on a white steed; the saviour who will bring economic salvation to an area of perceived poverty. The sad truth is that the wealth required to provide a truly sustainable future for all of the citizens of Quoddy has always been here for those with eyes to see.

They will forget their old laws; they will barter their country for baubels. Then will disease eat the life from their blood. (Hanisse'ono. The Evil One from Iroquois legend).

Art MacKay is a biologist, writer, and artist with over 40 years professional experience in the Bay of Fundy and northern Gulf of Maine. He is the author of many reports and articles about these ecosystems.