Energy Law

FERC Nominees Questioned Regarding States' Role in Siting LNG Terminals

Posted on April 28, 2010
Under questioning from Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, two FERC nominees offered their reactions to the suggestion that state authorities ought to have a greater role in LNG terminal siting decisions...

Editorial Reflects on Public Testimony on Oregon LNG

Posted on April 27, 2010
An editorial carried by the Daily Astorian reflects on the public hearings and  testimony offered by approximately one dozen local residents who complained about the conduct of Oregon LNG's company representatives. The piece suggests that these disputes could presage a tumultuous relationship between local residents and Oregon LNG.

Cove Point LNG Submits Noise Survey Results to FERC

Posted on April 26, 2010
Cove Point LNG has completed a study of noise created by its LNG terminal and submitted its findings to FERC. The report is available in the eLibrary under Docket No. CP05-130.

Cameron LNG Applies to Install Back-Up Gas Compressor for Boil-Off Gas System

Posted on April 26, 2010
Last week Cameron LNG submitted an application to FERC requesting permission to install a back-up natural gas compressor for the terminal's boil-off gas system. In its application, the company says that installing this back-up compressor will diminish the need for gas flaring when its primary boil-off gas compressor is offline for maintenance...

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FERC Releases Environmental Assessments for Extensions of Two Gas Pipelines Associated with Gulf LNG

Posted on April 23, 2010
FERC has issued its Environmental Assessment for the expansions of two natural gas pipelines associated with the Gulf LNG import terminal, the Mobile Bay Lateral Extension and the Pascagoula Expansion projects. FERC concluded that the projects "would not significantly affect the quality of the human environment...

Oregon LNG Criticizes Format of Administrative Hearing

Posted on April 22, 2010
Following the first of three scheduled administrative hearings, OPB News reports that Oregon LNG CEO Peter Hansen criticized the format of the hearing, stating that his counsel should have been permitted to cross-examine the witnesses. The judge conducting the hearing on behalf of FERC, Deputy Chief Administrative Judge Bobbie McCartney, described the hearing as a "hybrid" of a town hall meeting and a court hearing with participants testifying under oath and the testimony being made part of an official record.

Calais LNG Submits Data Requested by FERC

Posted on April 21, 2010
Calais LNG has submitted information requested by FERC relating to emissions associated with the construction of access roads, noise levels in the area, and alternative sites. The filing is available in the FERC eLibrary under Docket No. CP10-31.

FERC Schedules Meetings on Oregon LNG Project

Posted on April 21, 2010
FERC has scheduled three public meetings to investigate a number of complaints submitted by landowners affected by the Oregon LNG import project. The Daily Astorian reports that the company has agreed to attend the meetings.

FERC Requests Schedule for Addressing Issues Raised at Site Visit to Cove Point LNG

Posted on April 20, 2010
FERC has requested a schedule and plans for a number of issues raised during last month's site visit to the Cove Point LNG import facility. FERC's request is available in the eLibrary under Docket No. CP01-76.

Op-Ed: Weaver's Cove LNG Not Appropriate for Mt. Hope Bay

Posted on April 20, 2010
Chris Little, a candidate for Rhode Island attorney general, writes in today's Herald News (Fall River, Mass.) that the Weaver's Cove LNG project is not appropriate for Mount Hope Bay. He argues that applying the legal principles of the public trust doctrine to the Weaver's Cove LNG project would result in preventing the project from being built...

Fall River, Rhode Island DEM Appeal U.S. Coast Guard's Letter of Recommendation in Weaver's Cove LNG Proceeding

Posted on April 19, 2010
The City of Fall River and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management have filed separate appeals of the U.S. Coast Guard's Letter of Recommendation filed in the Weaver's Cove LNG proceeding. Both requests for appeal are available in the FERC eLibrary under Docket No...

Cameron LNG Submits Responses to FERC Data Request

Posted on April 16, 2010
Cameron LNG filed responses to a number of post-certification data requests from FERC yesterday. Cameron LNG's responses are available in the eLibrary under Docket No. CP02-378.

FERC Determines AES Sparrows Point LNG Project Will Conform to Pennsylvania's Air Quality Standards

Posted on April 14, 2010
Yesterday, FERC released its Final General Conformity Determination for Pennsylvania for the AES Sparrows Point LNG terminal and pipeline project. FERC concluded that LNG terminal and associated pipeline would conform to Pennsylvania?s air quality standards...

U.S. Coast Guard Modifies Security Zones Around LNG Vessels Travelling to Lake Charles, Cameron LNG Terminals

Posted on April 13, 2010
The U.S. Coast Guard announced in today's Federal Register that it has modified the security zones and procedures for the Lake Charles and Cameron LNG terminals. The modified security measures go into effect on May 13, 2010.

Jordan Cove LNG Submits Initial Implementation Plan

Posted on April 12, 2010
Jordan Cove LNG has filed an Initial Implementation Plan that addresses many of FERC's conditions for its approval of the regasification project. The plan is available in the FERC eLibrary under Docket No. CP07-444.

Downeast LNG Provides Responses to FERC's Data Request

Posted on April 12, 2010
Last Friday Downeast LNG submitted information in response to FERC's September request for environmental information. Downeast LNG's filing is available in the eLibrary under Docket No. CP07-52.

FERC Determines Pre-Filing Procedures Not Applicable to NGL Facility Proposed by Sabine Pass LNG

Posted on April 02, 2010
In a letter issued yesterday, FERC determined that the proposal to construct and operate a natural gas liquids (NGL) extraction facility at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal is not subject to the Commission's mandatory pre-filing procedures. However, the letter, available in FERC's eLibrary, notes that Sabine Pass LNG must comply with the application process under Section 3 of the Natural Gas Act to obtain authorization for its NGL facility.

U.S. Coast Guard Determines No Update Needed for Sparrows Point LNG WSA

Posted on April 01, 2010
Captain Mark P. O'Malley, Captain of the Port for Sector Baltimore, informed AES Sparrows Point LNG this week that no update is required at this time for the project's Waterway Suitability Assessment (WSA). Captain O'Malley's letter is available in the FERC eLibrary under Docket No...

FERC Requests Additional Information Regarding Calais LNG Project

Posted on March 30, 2010
Yesterday FERC requested additional information regarding the proposed Calais LNG import project. The information requested includes gas quality and interchangeability details required by the pro forma tariff and information on the associated send out pipeline...

PHMSA Determines Agency Has Jurisdiction Over Weaver?s Cove LNG Pipeline Proposal

Posted on March 29, 2010
The U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA) has determined that the agency has jurisdiction over the "pipe in pipe" LNG transfer system proposed by Weaver's Cove LNG. PHMSA also concluded that the siting requirements for marine cargo transfer systems, found at 49 C...

U.S. Coast Guard Modifies Regulations for Vessel Traffic in Narragansett Bay

Posted on March 29, 2010
This morning the U.S. Coast Guard issued a final rule modifying the regulations for vessel traffic in Narragansett Bay. The review of the previous regulations was prompted by a 2005 federal law that required the retention of the Brightman Street Bridge in the Taunton River and a U...

Cheniere Proposes NGL Facility at Sabine Pass LNG Terminal

Posted on March 25, 2010
Cheniere Midstream Services, LLC and Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. have jointly requested that FERC waive pre-filing procedures for a proposed natural gas liquids (NGL) processing facility proposed for the Sabine Pass LNG terminal site. The NGL processing facility would be installed in two phases and have the capacity to process 1 Bcf/d of NGL...

FERC Chairman Tentatively Informs Alaskan Officials FERC May Not Oversee Proposed Gas Pipeline

Posted on March 23, 2010
Last week FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff told Alaskan state officials that the Commission likely would leave oversight of a planned intrastate natural gas pipeline to Alaskan authorities. According to the Fairbanks News Miner, this informal assessment is not final because the full commission has not addressed the question...

Freeport LNG Seeking Authorization to Export Foreign-Sourced LNG to All Countries with Regasification Terminals

Posted on March 23, 2010
Earlier this month Freeport LNG Development, L.P. filed an application with the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Fossil Energy to amend the company's blanket authorization to re-export previously imported LNG. According to the announcement in today's Federal Register, Freeport LNG is seeking authorization to export foreign sourced LNG to any country "with capacity to import LNG via ocean-going carrier and with which trade is not prohibited by U...

MARAD Releases Final Supplemental EIS for TORP Bienville LNG Deepwater Port Project

Posted on March 22, 2010
The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) has issued its Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (FSEIS) for the TORP Bienville LNG deepwater port project. MARAD also announced in the Federal Register that it will host a public meeting on the project in Mobile, Ala...

FERC Schedules Post-Certification Reviews for EcoElectrica, Cameron LNG Facilities

Posted on March 18, 2010
FERC announced yesterday that it will conduct its annual post-certification reviews of the EcoElectrica and Cameron LNG import facilities. FERC's letters regarding the inspections are available in the Commission's eLibrary under Docket Nos. CP95-35 and CP02-378, respectively.

FERC Issues Environmental Information Request to Calais LNG

Posted on March 17, 2010
Yesterday, FERC issued an environmental information request to Calais LNG regarding a wide range of topics including the proposed LNG vessel route, potential effects on water and other natural resources, and cultural and socioeconomic impacts of the project...

Comment on Bradwood Landing LNG Project Focuses on Fish Entrainment in LNG Vessel Ballast Systems

Posted on March 17, 2010
A local Washington resident and shipping engineer filed comments with FERC urging the Commission to hold Bradwood Landing LNG import project developers, NorthernStar Natural Gas, responsible for environmental effects that the operations of LNG vessels will cause while docking or undocking at the facility...

FERC Approves Construction Plan for Cove Point Pier Reinforcement Project

Posted on March 15, 2010
Late last week FERC approved Cove Point LNG's implementation plan and granted the company's request to begin construction of the Pier Reinforcement Project. In its letter authorizing construction, FERC noted that Cove Point LNG has "complied with all pre-construction conditions" of the Commission's order authorizing the project last July...

FERC Grants Trunkline LNG's Request to Place Infrastructure Enhancement Project in Service

Posted on March 12, 2010
Yesterday FERC granted Trunkline LNG's request to place its Infrastructure Enhancement Project into full service. FERC's authorization is available in the eLibrary under Docket No. CP06-102.

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