noLNG

LNG in Nigeria

NPR has an interesting article on "gas flaring"--large-scale burning of natural gas that's seen as a waste byproduct of oil production--in Nigeria, a growing exporter of LNG. Here's a brief excerpt:

Few things are more startling about the Niger River Delta than rounding a curve and encountering an enormous flame ahead. Sometimes it pours out of a smokestack, which reminds you of an oil refinery. Sometimes it comes straight out of a hole in the ground, which makes you think of hell.

What's really happening is that companies are "flaring," burning unwanted natural gas that comes up when they drill for oil.

The U.S. Energy Department said in 2002 that this practice, which produces flames visible from space is "generally unhealthy to humans and ecosystems" and produces carbon dioxide, which has been linked to global warming. Nigeria burns about 42% of its annual LNG production, or about 468 million cubic feet, by flaring.

This article is just one of a series on Nigeria's oil industry, which can all be found here.

I am NOT an LNG ‘acceptable risk.’

Opponents of the proposed LNG site at Bradwood wore their feelings on their bright red tshirts shirts last night at the Coast Guard/FERC meeting, and the message was clear:

I am NOT an LNG "acceptable risk"

According to the Daily Astorian, the Coast Guard says there were about 375 people attending the session at Knappa High School and it's easy to believe. The room was packed with a crowd that, unfortunately, started to trickle away as 11:00 and the final ferry run drew near. When questioned about the possibility of another meeting on the Washington side of the river so that all concerned citizens have a chance to comment, a representative of FERC said he would consider it saying, "I'm not saying yes and I'm not saying no."

Commentary from opponents was varied--a scientist drew a frighteningly plausible scenario for disaster in Astoria, fishers questioned the impact on their livelihood and safety, and residents of Puget Island cited numerous negative impacts of heavy industry on people, animals, a fragile ecosystem, and inevitably, the character of the river and their way of life. A common thread was that offshore siting should be considered, especially after it became clear that the LNG plant cited by Gary Coppedge of Northern Star as having survived a direct hit by one of the recent major Gulf hurricanes (Katrina and Rita) and a sideswipe by the other, was an offshore LNG facility.

As was noted by at least one person in a red tshirt, all but one of the speakers favoring the proposed siting were there representing a group that stood to profit from the project.

The Daily Astorian has a nice article titled "LNG foes give feds both barrels" with a number of good quotes from concerned citizens who spoke at the meeting. To quote:

Let us make no mistake and have no illusions,” said biologist and writer Robert Pyle of Grays River. “If this LNG facility goes ahead, the rural and natural setting of the lower Columbia will be changed radically and, for all practical purposes, forever.”

He added that although proponents tout the safety record of LNG, one word that is missing is “yet;” an accident worse than the pipeline explosion in Bellingham, Wash., could occur here. The facility and its construction would also have an effect on the nearby wetlands and the wildlife.

A sidebar points out that written comments are still being accepted by the Coast Guard and FERC. If you are interested in an additional meeting, you should also contact them--maybe if enough Washington residents request it, one will be scheduled. It would be nice if everyone got a chance to be heard on this huge decision.

Willamette Week story and meeting tonight

The Willamette Week Online's current cover story, Welcome to Gastoria! provides a look at all of the proposed LNG sites in the area, including Northern Star's desired site at Knappa.

Speaking of Knappa, don't forget the Coast Guard/FERC meeting tonight at the Knappa Hgh School (41535 Old Highway 30 Knappa, OR) at 7pm.

The Oregonian Article: Foes of LNG Vow to Fight It

Check this link to see what the Oregonian had to say about next Thursday's Meeting. http://www.oregonlive.com/metro/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1127559668271250.xml&coll=7#continue

Effective Communication: An industry perspective

The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) was selected by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Fossil Energy in 2003 to "...help educate critical energy decision makers about liquefied natural gas." Part of that job involves issuing papers on the process of siting and operating LNG terminals. NARUC's LNG resources are located here.

There is one recent paper worth checking out if you are would like to gain insight into the siting process from the perspective of government and industry. The Need for Effective and Forthright Communication Planning for LNG Facility Siting: A Checklist for State Public Utility Commissions offers three case studies of proposed LNG sites; one that successfully opposed, one that was sited, and one that is still in progress. Reading the article gives one an opportunity to consider how the agency advising on the siting process suggests industry should approach it and compare that to how it is being done in their locale, as well as delineating some things that make for more effective opposition to proposed LNG terminals.

Another recent paper, Liquefied Natural Gas: An Overview of the Issues for State Public Utility Commissions is a 55 page backgrounder on LNG and the associated issues.

Proposed pipeline: a reaction from Longview

Today's Daily News has an interesting article about Ron Doiron, a local retiree who recently heard that the proposed LNG pipeline would cut a swath across not only his property but his workshop as well. Doiron and his wife are among residents

According to information Doiron received from NSNG representatives, the pipeline would run right through his workshop, which is close to his house. The news especially sickens him because he just finished paying off the property three months ago, and he and his wife had planned to live out their retirement here, he said.

"Now some jerk who wants to make a bunch of money wants to devalue my property," Doiron said. "Here I am now, in the mode of staying -- now I'm gonna have to load my damn guns."

The news that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has final approval of the pipeline route didn't seem to offer much comfort.

"Someone from outside of Cowlitz County who doesn't even know what's here is going to make a decision? That's insane," he spat.

The complete article is here and makes for an interesting read. Don't forget to attend the upcoming meeting in Longview on September 28th, 7PM at the Cowlitz PUD office.

Important Upoming Meetings

Two public meetings have been scheduled for late September. The first addresses pipeline safety issues while the second is a joint Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and Coast Guard event with a broader range of topics to be discussed.

The pipeline meeting will take place in Longvew, but details are not known yet. We will post them here as soon as they become available. (see article referenced later for more...or less...clarity on the time of the meeting)

The FERC-Coast Guard meeting in Knappa in on the 29th at the High School and provides an opportunity for people to express their concerns and raise issues regarding the proposed LNG site and related ship traffic. The Coast Guard will focus on identifying safety issues around ships during transit and while docking. FERC, on the other hand, has an open agenda where pretty much everything is on the table.

If you wish to testify at this meeting, you must notify either the Coast Guard or FERC by September 22nd. The agencies are combining their lists of peole who want to speak at the meeting, so you only have to notify one agency.

The Coast Guard will also accept written comments until October 6. Please make sure that any written comments include the Docket No. CGD13-05-017, as well as your name and address. Comments may be submitted via physical mail, email, or fax to:

Lt. Shadrack Scheirman, Commanding Officer
U.S. Coast Guard Sector Portland
6767 N. Basin Ave.
Portland, OR 97217
Email: Shadrack.L.Scheirman@uscg.mil
Fax: (503) 240-2586
Voice: (503) 247-4015

The Daily Astorian has an article about the meeting at Knappa here and another about two Northern Star open houses--one on the day of each of these meetings--here. The one in Longview is at 7 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Cowlitz P.U.D. Building, 961 12th Ave. in Longview, WA, whether this is actually the pipeline safety meeting, an open house given by Northern Star, or both is somewhat unclear. The Knappa meeting is at 5:00 M, immediately preceeding the Coast Guard-FERC meeting.

Mark these dates:

September 29th, 7:00 PM
FERC-Coast Guard
Knappa High School
41535 Old Highway 30.
Knappa, OR

September 28th
Pipeline Safety Meeting
Cowlitz County PUD
961 12th Ave
Longview, WA