Weaver's Cove LNG reaches critical juncture

PROVIDENCE (March 23, 2007) – The proposed Weaver’s Cove LNG facility in Fall River – a project Save The Bay and others have declared “wrong” for Narragansett Bay and the Taunton River – has entered a critical juncture in the effort to gain regulatory approval.

The U.S. Coast Guard is reviewing a long-awaited filing by the developer, Weaver’s Cove LNG, describing plans to bring LNG tankers into the Bay and the Taunton. Coast Guard Capt. Roy A. Nash says Weaver’s Cove submitted the information earlier this month and that the Coast Guard will issue a letter of recommendation either for or against the project “probably later this spring.”

Capt. Nash made the remarks at a March 13th meeting of the Rhode Island Port Safety and Security Forum in Providence.

One year ago, the Coast Guard sent Weaver’s Cove LNG back to the drawing board to describe in detail how LNG ships would negotiate the old Brightman Street Bridge, which has been preserved by federal law since 2005. Weaver’s Cove submitted a notice of project change requesting permission to bring in a greater number of smaller tankers. The smaller tankers, Weaver’s Cove argues, could be brought in safely.

Weaver’s Cove LNG still needs state and federal permits to dredge nearly 3 million cubic yards of sediment from Mount Hope Bay and the Taunton River. Environmental agencies are essentially stalled in their review of these permits until the Coast Guard issues its letter of recommendation.

Save The Bay opposes the Weaver’s Cove LNG project on the basis that environmental damage from the dredging and disruption from security zones around the tankers would harm Narragansett Bay.

 “The Coast Guard has the ability to stop this damaging project dead in its tracks on the basis that it is unsafe for people and for the environment,” said Save The Bay Executive Director Curt Spalding. “We hope the Coast Guard will listen to the voice of the marine community as well as the greater Bay Community and make the right decision for Narragansett Bay.”