St. Andrews, New Brunswick reisdents Lee Ann Ward and Larry Lack write in the Telegraph Journal that, “The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Agency (FERC) is close to approving at least one of the LNG (liquefied natural gas) terminals that developers want to build on the Maine shores of Passamaquoddy Bay and the St. Croix River. A Canadian federal regulation enacted by Transport Canada can dissolve this threat. But this federal action is needed now, before American agencies give these projects the go-ahead to start construction.”
“Informed observers agree that FERC will almost certainly approve and issue permits for one or more of the LNG terminals proposed for the Maine shores of our shared waters, perhaps as early as this coming fall or winter.”
“Building and operating any one of these proposed terminals would damage our struggling Passamaquoddy Bay region’s natural resource-based economy and destroy one of the last remaining healthy marine ecosystems in eastern North America.”
“For four years now Save Passamaquoddy Bay has been asking Ottawa to enact a regulation prohibiting LNG tankers from using Canadian waters to access the proposed terminal sites in Maine. So far our federal government, first under Paul Martin and then under Stephen Harper, have responded that they will regulate to keep LNG out of our region, but only after FERC issues a construction permit to one or more of the Maine LNG developers.”
“We think waiting for FERC to take this step is dangerous. The future of our environment as well as that of our families, homes and businesses is at risk. From our perspective, when lives and communities are at risk, it is entirely reasonable to expect governments to undertake effective and timely action to protect them. Canadian citizens and communities whose futures are on the line need to take the lead on this issue and push for action from our federal government to ensure the security of our region.”
“Ottawa’s reluctance to regulate endangers Canadian sovereignty, our region’s environment and the future of this place we cherish. We hope Save Passamaquoddy Bay/Canada will help end the anxiety and uncertainty about the fate of Charlotte County’s coastal communities by mobilizing people power and convincing Ottawa to enact a regulation protecting us from the threat of LNG before FERC gives a green light to LNG terminals in nearby Maine.”
To read about the ‘Save Passamaquoddy Bay from LNG’ campaign, please go to http://www.savepassamaquoddybay.org/
The full op-ed can be read at http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/opinion/article/752368.
