Groups post comments on FERC Web site

Besides the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands and the anti-LNG development group Save Passamaquoddy Bay, many other individuals and organizations have submitted public comments to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission about the LNG terminals proposed for Passamaquoddy Bay.

Organizations based in Washington County that have notified FERC about their concerns with one or both of the proposals include Cobscook Bay Fishermen’s Association, Nulankeyutmonen Nkihtahkomikumon, and other entities of the Passamaquoddy Tribe.

Groups in New Brunswick, which shares Passamaquoddy Bay with Maine, that have raised concerns about one or more of the projects include Atlantic Salmon Federation, Friends of Head Harbour Lightstation, Fundy North Fishermen’s Association, Huntsman Marine Sciences Centre, Nature Trust of New Brunswick, and New Brunswick Tourism Action Group. The St. Croix Stevedores and Affiliates union, which represents longshore workers at the New Brunswick port of Bayside, also has raised concerns about the proposals.

Even Michael Wilson, Canada’s ambassador to the United States, has submitted comments of concern to FERC, though LNG import terminals are being developed in Saint John and in Nova Scotia.

Adverse environmental and economic effects and potential hazards, including relatively narrow waterways and the possibility of seismic activity in the Passamaquoddy Bay region, are some of the concerns cited by people with reservations about the development plans.

Others, including the Sunrise County Economic Council, local officials in Robbinston and Perry and representatives of Eastport Pilots USA, have sent in letters of support for one or both of the proposals. Construction and operation of an LNG terminal in Washington County would bring badly needed economic development to the area, project supporters have indicated.

Agencies and organizations such as the Conservation Law Foundation, Maine State Planning Office, National Park Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have not raised concerns about the proposals but have submitted comments about what issues should be considered and investigated during FERC’s review process.

The submitted comments are available for viewing at FERC’s online eLibrary at www.ferc.gov. Comments about the Quoddy Bay LNG proposal in Pleasant Point and Perry are listed by the FERC docket number PF06-11. Comments about the Downeast LNG proposal in Robbinston are listed by the FERC docket number PF06-13.