Environment MP says Ottawa will use document to help keep Head Harbour Passage free of massive ships

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MARY-ELLEN SAUNDERS
TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL

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ST. ANDREWS - The federal government will conduct a second study to look at the environmental concerns posed by LNG tankers travelling through Head Harbour Passage, Southwest New Brunswick MP Greg Thompson announced Wednesday.

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File/Telegraph-Journal

Southwest New Brunswick MP Greg Thompson says a new $100,000 study into the environmental concerns posed by LNG tankers travelling through Head Harbour Passage will get underway ‘very quickly’ and will look at the views of local experts.

Thompson said the first study, commissioned by the former Liberal government, missed certain points of reference that the Conservative government of Stephen Harper does not intend to overlook in the new $100,000 study.

"We want everything brought into this study that we deem to be important," said Thompson.

"Many people who examined the previous study felt there was more that could be done. €¦ We are going to listen to the experts."

In October, Ottawa released a study that it was relying on to tell the U.S. government it is too risky to let tankers carrying liquefied natural gas enter Head Harbour Passage, the only waterway that would access to the proposed U.S. terminals.

Despite Ottawa's argument that the Canadian waters, with extreme tides and narrow channels, were too dangerous to send tankers through, the study stated that the large tankers could safely navigate the channel if trips were planned in accordance with the tidal cycle.

At the time, Thompson said the study did not tell the whole story of Head Harbour Passage and on Wednesday he planned to reinforce that statement by attending a meeting held by Save Passmaquoddy Bay, a Canadian grassroots group fighting three proposed LNG terminals in Maine just across the bay from scenic St. Andrews - and announcing the plans for a new study.

The study will get underway "very quickly," will include "off-the-shelf references" and will look at the views of local experts.

The Conservative MP said the study will be one more thing the government can use to back up its position against LNG tankers travelling through Head Harbour Passage.

Ottawa has supported local protesters in their fight to stop three companies' plans to build LNG terminals in Maine that would ship LNG on tankers the size of football fields through Head Harbour Passage.

Save Passamaquoddy Bay has asked the federal government to create regulations that would stop LNG tankers the group fears would cause environmental, economic and safety concerns to residents of southwestern New Brunswick.

"We have a prime minister that has stood up for us and has brought this eyeball to eyeball with President George Bush," said Thompson. "We will use every diplomatic and legal means we have and more, if it is needed in the future."

Thompson said regulating the use of Head Harbour Passage is not necessary right now, but if it becomes necessary it will be the government's next step.

"We are steadfast and we will protect our citizens and our environment. We will not move from that position."

Thompson said it is clear to him that the three companies proposing LNG terminals in Maine are choosing to ignore news headlines and trends from other terminals across North America that show LNG imports to the U.S. are on the decline.

In April, a $1.4-billion LNG terminal in Louisiana owned by Ceniere Energy opened, but other than an initial test shipment of LNG, the plant, which is the newest in North America, has been idle. The terminal has not been able to secure a supply of LNG.

LNG is competing with natural gas on the energy market and the relative prices of the two have left LNG at a disadvantage.

"The big players will tell us the supply is cornered and we have projects in North America that have collapsed because there is a lack of supply of LNG," said Thompson. "They (LNG proponents) are ignoring this at their own peril."

Thompson said three private companies are taking on a sovereign nation and Canada will not back away from its position.