N.B. seeks a part in LNG case Province yet to take stand on Maine project

The New Brunswick government is seeking intervenor status in the review of two controversial liquefied natural gas terminals proposed for the Maine side of Passamaquoddy Bay.

Although the province’s Department of Intergovernmental Affairs has yet to take a stance for or against the two proposed LNG terminals, it has applied for intervenor status with the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Intervenor status recognizes the department as an official party in the proceedings. The department would be able to appeal FERC’s final decision on the case.

“The government has provincial interests that it wants to make sure are part of the proceedings,” said Gisele Regimbal, director of communications for the department. “As an intervenor, we will be going in and presenting those interests – the environmental, the safety and security, the economic interests – that we have with respect to these projects.”

Regimbal said the department has retained a U.S. law firm to handle the case. She would not identify the firm, but said it has experience in regulatory proceedings.

There has been a groundswell of opposition against two LNG terminals proposed in Maine. Both would require huge tankers to pass through Canadian waters at Head Harbor Passage.

Former New Brunswick Premier Bernard Lord urged Maine officials to block the proposals, and the Canadian federal government has said it also opposes the projects.

During the last provincial election, Liberal Premier Shawn Graham pledged to hire U.S. legal counsel to seek intervenor status.

Oklahoma-based Quoddy Bay hopes to build an onshore import terminal at Split Rock on the Pleasant Point Passamaquoddy Reservation and a storage facility in Perry. Quoddy Bay’s facility would transport up to 2 billion cubic feet of gas daily to the Maritimes & Northeast pipeline by way of a 36-mile connection pipeline.

Washington-based Downeast LNG hopes to build an onshore import and storage terminal in Mill Cove in Robbinston capable of supplying up to 625 million cubic feet of natural gas a day to a Maritimes & Northeast pipeline. The project would require construction of a 31-mile connection to the pipeline.

Both companies have submitted formal applications with FERC for their projects.

Quoddy Bay project manager Brian Smith said New Brunswick’s decision to seek intervenor status is expected and warranted.

“We look forward to their comments on our facility. It’s important that New Brunswick is informed about our project as they are neighbors to it. As an intervenor, you are sure to remain informed,” Smith said.

Robert Wyatt, vice president of Downeast LNG, said his company hopes all parties approach the projects with an open mind.

“Downeast LNG has always wanted and asked for fairness in the review,” Wyatt said. “To date, we have not really seen that from the Canadian government. The process is thorough in the United States, and the opportunity exists for meaningful input from governmental and public entities. We would hope that any intervention was done with that in mind versus an opposition for the sake of opposition.”

If approved for intervenor status, the New Brunswick government will receive all documents submitted to FERC and will have an opportunity to present the province’s case.

“By being part of the process we can ensure New Brunswick’s interests can be represented throughout,” Regimbal said.

Janice Harvey of Save Passamaquoddy Bay-Canada said the province had to act.

“The opposition is so universal in New Brunswick that for the province not to be there to speak on behalf of its citizens and the communities, particularly around Passamaquoddy Bay and its approaches, would look very bad on the other side of the line,” Harvey said.

John Craig, mayor of St. Andrews, New Brunswick, called the move a great symbolic gesture.

“It’s a big step, absolutely,” said Craig. “It is wonderful to see the province of New Brunswick helping out and fighting this battle against the industrialization of Passamaquoddy Bay.”

The review of the proposals could last up to 18 months, which the province says makes it difficult to estimate the costs of its legal bills.

The Maine State Planning Office also has said it will file a motion to intervene in the reviews of both facilities. Director Martha Freeman said the State Planning Office is not necessarily opposed to LNG projects in Maine.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.