Latest Action
Alert
The U.S. Coast Guard is requesting comments on the draft
environmental impact statement of the Freeport McMoRan Main Pass
off-shore, open-loop LNG terminal. Please take a moment to weigh
in for protection of the marine resources of the Gulf of Mexico.
Open-loop terminals cannot be accepted in the face of alternatives
which guarantee minimized ecological impacts to the Gulf. Please
submit your comments to be received by August 1. One of 8
open-loop LNG projects slated for the Gulf, Freeport McMoRan
continues to push their open loop project, despite the recent news
that the Governors of Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi oppose
such projects due to the significant concerns about marine
fisheries impacts.
TAKE ACTION: Please submit your comments online at
http://dms.dot.gov. Identify your
comments by the docket number USCG-2005-17696. To view the draft
EIS, please go to
http://dms.dot.gov/search/searchFormSimple.cfm and search for
docket number 17696.
You may also submit comments:
- By mail to the Docket Management Facility
(USCG-2005- 17696)
U.S. Department of Transportation
Room PL-401
400 Seventh Street SW.
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
- By fax to the Docket Management Facility at 202-493-2251.
The telephone number is 202-366-9329.
Points to include:
Talking Points for Main Pass LNG Terminal Public
Hearing
- OPEN-LOOP SYTEMS ARE BAD FOR THE GULF: Liquefied natural gas
(LNG) terminals pose a developing threat to commercial and
recreational fishing in the Gulf. Eight of the 23 facilities
currently proposed for the Western Gulf are designed to use an
open-rack vaporizer, or open-loop system, running Gulf seawater
through radiator-like racks. The drastic temperature change and
physical damage caused by the process will destroy fish eggs and
larva by the billions. Freeport McMoRan’s Main Pass terminal
would sterilize 180 million gallons of Gulf seawater per day,
potentially destroying the equivalent of over 4% of
Mississippi’s annual redfish catch. Going closed-loop would
eliminate these harmful impacts.
- OPEN-LOOP SYSTEMS WILL BE VETOED BY GOVERNOR BLANCO:
Governor Blanco of Louisiana has pledged to veto any more
open-loop LNG terminals in the Gulf. Therefore, the open-loop
technology is not viable and other closed-loop options must be
reviewed as the only viable options.
- FULL FISH IMPACTS NOT STUDIED: The Draft Environmental
Impact Statement only looks at the impacts to 4 fish species
(red drum, red snapper, menhaden and bay anchovy). Yet, Main
Pass terminal will be sited in Essential Fish Habitat for
various life stages of red drum, red snapper, vermillion
snapper, greater and lesser amberjack, king mackerel, gray,
bluefish, triggerfish, Spanish mackerel, cobia, and dolphin, and
little tunny. The DEIS includes no information on the impacts to
shrimp, Louisiana’s largest commercial fishery Going closed-loop
would eliminate these harmful impacts.
- ECOSYSTEM IMPACTS NOT STUDIED: The open-loop system will
harm all of the fish eggs, larvae and zooplankton that are
sucked into the system – effectively destroying a link in the
food chain. Yet, the DEIS does not include any studies on the
full impacts to the marine ecosystem caused by the destruction
of so many eggs, larvae and zooplankton. Going closed-loop would
eliminate these harmful impacts.
- CUMULATIVE IMPACTS MUST INCLUDE ALL LNG ACTIVITIES IN THE
GULF: There are a total of 8 offshore LNG facilities and 15
onshore LNG facilities approved or proposed for this area. Yet,
the DEIS only reviews the cumulative impacts of the offshore LNG
terminals west of the Mississippi River. This does not meet the
legal requirements for cumulative impacts and cannot give us the
full picture of the impacts from all of the oil and gas
development in the Gulf of Mexico.
GUMBO ALLIANCE TELL COAST GUARD, MCMORAN: NO FISH
FOR FUEL
For immediate release: 3 pm, July
20, 2005
For more information:
Aaron Viles, Gulf Restoration Network
w: 504-525-1528 ext. 207 c: 723-3855
NEW ORLEANS – The unlikely coalition of
recreational and commercial fishermen, shrimpers, and
environmental groups, the “Gumbo Alliance for Safe LNG,”
are continuing to voice their opposition to LNG terminal proposals
for the Gulf of Mexico which would use an open-rack vaporizer or
“open-loop” system. This time the group has set their sights on
Freeport McMoRan’s Main Pass terminal proposed for 16 miles of
Louisiana’s Southeast coast. The group gathered prior to the
public hearing on the Main Pass draft environmental impact
statement.
A. J. Fabre, President of the Louisiana Shrimp
Association, pointed out, “Off-shore LNG terminals don’t
have to be a bad thing. We would all like more affordable energy.
But McMoRan and the other corporations seeking to operate
off-shore LNG terminals are all ignoring the practical
alternatives of closed-loop or forced-air technology. LNG in the
Gulf must not impact our fisheries.”
Mike Lane, Publisher of the sportsman website
RodNReel.com, has been active in the campaign from the
start. “Freeport McMoRan want to locate their fish-killing machine
in the middle of some of the best fishing in the area – an area
that fishermen can’t legally catch redfish, and have strict limits
for red snapper and other fish. Yet Freeport proposes to kill
billions of fish eggs and larva? It defies common-sense. We’ve got
a huge list of over 70 groups and individuals that oppose
open-loop terminals. It seems like the only people who are willing
to gamble with the Gulf’s fish are the oil companies and the
federal government. It’s outrageous.”
Charlie Smith, the Director of the Louisiana Charter
Boat Association, added, “We’re amazed that McMoRan and
the other oil and gas corporations have continued to push their
flawed, open-loop proposals – the Governor has made it quite clear
that she’s heard the concerns of Louisiana sportsmen and will stop
any open-loop terminals that haven’t received permits. They need
to go back to the drawing board, because Louisiana ain’t buying
what they’re selling!”
The groups have long been concerned about cumulative impacts of
multiple terminals operating in tandem. Aaron Viles of the
Gulf Restoration Network pointed out that “the Western
Gulf of Mexico could see eight of these terminals by the time the
dust settles Each would be chilling, chlorinating and in effect
sterilizing hundreds of millions of gallons of Gulf seawater,
every single day. The fertile fishery crescent could soon become
just another dead zone.”
Darryl Malek Wiley of the Sierra Club voiced
significant concerns about the permitting process. “These
terminals are rocketing through the process – mistakes are being
made, and the public hasn’t had sufficient time to analyze the
proposals,” Malek-Wiley stated, referring to recent revisions to
the fisheries impacts of the Main Pass Terminal. “The public
deserves a ‘time-out.’”
BACKGROUND
Imported natural gas, shipped to the U.S. in a -260°F liquefied
form, needs to be warmed to be “re-gasified,” and then delivered
to the existing gas pipeline infrastructure. Eight of the 22
facilities proposed for the Western Gulf intend to use an
open-rack vaporizer, or open-loop system, running Gulf seawater
through radiator-like racks. One terminal alone could use up to
200 million gallons of Gulf water a day to “re-gasify” the natural
gas.
The drastic temperature change and physical damage caused by
the process will destroy fish eggs and larva by the billions.
Because the open-loop LNG facilities are proposed for areas that
are considered essential fish habitat for a vast range of Gulf sea
life, fisheries managers from the National Marine Fisheries
Services, the Gulf States Marine Fish Commission, and the Gulf of
Mexico Fishery Management Council are unified in their opposition
to the use of the open-loop system due to the potentially
significant cumulative impacts these facilities could have on
critical fisheries such as redfish, shrimp, crabs, and others.
LNG facilities threaten Gulf fisheries
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals pose a developing threat to
commercial and recreational fishing in the Gulf. With 22
facilities proposed for the western Gulf, LNG could have a huge
impact on our region. Imported natural gas, shipped to the U.S. in
a liquefied form, needs to be warmed to be “re-gasified,” and then
delivered to our gas pipeline infrastructure. Seven of the 22
facilities intend to use an open rack vaporizer, or open loop
system, running Gulf seawater through radiator-like racks. One
terminal alone could use up to 200 million gallons of Gulf water a
day to “re-gasify” the natural gas. The drastic temperature change
and physical damage caused by the process will destroy fish eggs
and larva by the billions. Closed-loop systems, though more
expensive to the gas companies, would be significantly less
destructive to our fisheries.
Open-loop LNG terminals are currently proposed in essential
habitat for shrimp, redfish (red drum), Spanish and king mackerel,
red snapper, cobia, dolphin, and blue fin tuna among others.
While the energy industry is important to the Gulf, our
commercial and recreational fishing industries are critical as
well, generating $800 million in commercial landings and $5.6
billion in recreational expenditures annually.
We must not jeopardize our fisheries in a rush to develop LNG
terminals
While the process to approve Liquefied Natural Gas LNG
facilities has been fast-tracked by the Bush administration, state
Governors have veto power over facilities in or near their states.
It is important to let the Coast Guard and these LNG companies
know that open loop systems cannot come to the Gulf.
Write to Governor Blanco and ask her to veto all future
terminals using the open loop system. She should also request that
the Coast Guard and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (the
agencies charged with granting permits for LNG facilities)
complete a cumulative environmental impact analysis of all
proposed LNG facilities using the open loop system.
Send your letter to:
Office of the Governor
Attn: Constituent Services
P.O. Box 94004
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9004
Fax your letter to: (225) 342-7099
Sample Letter -
Dear Governor Blanco -
I am writing to ask you to veto all future LNG facilities off the coast
of Louisiana that are using the open loop system, also known as
open rack vaporizers (ORV). It is important to let the Coast
Guard and these LNG companies know that open loop systems cannot
come to the Gulf. I am also asking you to request the Coast
Guard and FERC complete a cumulative analysis of all
environmental impacts from the numerous LNG facilities proposed
in the Gulf.
Seven of the 22 LNG facilities proposed in the Gulf of Mexico
intend to use an open loop system. One terminal alone could use
up to 200 million gallons of Gulf water a day to “re-gasify” the
natural gas. The drastic temperature change and physical damage
caused by the process will destroy fish eggs and larva by the
billions. For example, Shell’s Gulf Landing facility could
impact red drum in the Gulf by as much as the equivalent of 3.8%
of Louisiana’s annual landings according to the latest analysis.
The potential negative impact of open loop flow-through
systems must be prevented. The devastating impacts to our marine
resources are easily avoided by requiring LNG facilities to use
closed loop systems. We need your support to protect the
important marine resources in the Gulf of Mexico.
Sincerely,
Existing and proposed LNG facilities in the Gulf of
Mexico
Existing:
D. Lake Charles, LA: Southern Union—Trunkline LNG
Approved:
1. Lake Charles, LA: Southern Union—Trunkline LNG
2. Hackberry, LA: Sempra Energy
5. Freeport, TX: Cheniere/Freeport LNG
6. Sabine, LA: Cheniere LNG
8. Port Pelican, off shore: ChevronTexaco
9. Energy Bridge, off shore: El Paso
24. Gulf Landing, off shore: Shell
50. Altamira, MX: Shell & El Paso
Proposed:
12. Corpus Christi, TX: Cheniere LNG
13. Corpus Christi, TX: ExxonMobil - switched to non-open loop
14. Sabine, TX: ExxonMobil - switched to non-open loop
17. Corpus Christi, TX: Ingleside Energy/Occidental Energy
19. Port Arthur, TX: Sempra
22. Pascagoula, MS: Gulf LNG Energy
26. Main Pass, off shore: McMoRan
27. Compass Port, off shore: ConocoPhillips
28. Pearl Crossing, off shore: ExxonMobil
29. Beacon Port, off shore: ConocoPhillips
36. Galveston, TX: BP—switched to non-open loop
37. Port Lavaca, TX: Calhoun LNG
39. Pascagoula, MS: ChevronTexaco
40. Cameron, LA: Cheniere LNG
42. Freeport, TX: Cheniere/Freeport LNG
Open loop systems in bold
Victory: BP Provides LNG Leadership!
As reported in the January 25 edition of the Galveston County
Daily News, BP has decided against the use of an open loop
“regasification” process at its proposed Pelican Island terminal
outside Galveston, Texas.
“A vital factor was the conclusion that use of open rack and
seawater are not a good fit for the particular environmental
conditions of Galveston Bay,” said Bob Boyce, director of BP Bay
Crossing, the proposed LNG terminal on 185 acres of Pelican
Island.
“We listened very carefully to the issues and concerns that
were raised by the citizens of Galveston and factored these views
directly into our decision-making process,” Boyce said.
Organizations and individuals opposed to open-loop
LNG terminals in the Gulf of Mexico (as of July 20, 2005):
- Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco
- (Former) Governor Mike Foster
- Senator Walter Boasso
- RodnReel.com
- CCA-Louisiana
- CCA-Texas
- CCA-Mississippi
- CCA-Alabama
- CCA-Florida
- CCA-North Carolina
- CCA-Georgia
- CCA-Virginia
- CCA-Massachusetts
- CCA-Maine
- CCA-New Hampshire
- CCA-South Carolina
- CCA-Maryland
- CCA-New York
- Louisiana Charter Boat Association
- Gulf Restoration Network
- Sierra Club-Delta Chapter
- Louisiana Shrimp Association
- Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
- The Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council
- The Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission
- The Louisiana Environmental Action Network
- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- BaitnTackle.net
- Sport Fishing Magazine
- Louisiana Seafood Advisory Board
- The Times-Picayune (New Orleans)
- The Advocate (Baton Rouge)
- Louisiana Sportsman Magazine
- Senator Mary Landrieu
- Gulf Fisheries Alliance
- Great Days Outdoors Magazine
- RESTORE (Restore Explicit Symmetry To Our Ravaged Earth)
- Marsh & Bayou Magazine
- HuntnFish.com
- Alliance for Affordable Energy
- Association of FAmily Fishermen
- Atchafalaya Basinkeeper
- Louisiana Bayoukeeper
- NOAA Fisheries
- Terrebonne Fisherman's Organization
- United Commercial Fisherman's Association
- Louisiana Legislature (via SCR 117)
- Sierra Club - Galveston Regional Group
- Sierra Club - Mississippi Chapter
- Sierra Club - Lone Star Chapter
- Calhoun County Resource Watch
- Sierra Club - Coastal Bend Regional Group
- Galveston Bay Foundation
- Sierra Club - Golden Triangle Regional Group
- Houston Audubon Society
- Sierra Club - Houston Regional Group
- Houston Underwater Club
- Scenic Galveston
- STOP-LNG
- Mobile Bay Watch, Inc./Mobile Baykeeper
- Informed Choices
- WildLaw
- Advocates for Environmental Human Rights
- Galveston Bay Conservation & Preservation Association (GBCPA)
- Mississippi Commision on Marine Resources
- Mississippi Department of Marine Resources
- East Ascension Sportsman's League, Inc.
- Texas Shrimp Association
- Lyda Ann Thomas, Mayor of Galveston
- Dr. Craig Gauthier
- Senator (elect) Julie Quinn, Louisiana
- Governor Haley Barbour, Mississippi
- Governor Bob Riley, Alabama
- PISCES (Professional Involvement in Seafood Concerned
Enterprises)
- Calhoun County Resource Watch (Seadrift, Texas)
- Jack Chadwick
- The Sun Herald (Biloxi/Gulfport/South Mississippi)
LNG fact sheet:
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