Eight LNG facilities earn Coast Guard suitability recommendations

The following is the text of a press release issued by the U.S. Coast Guard:

 

(WASHINGTON) — The Coast Guard issued letters of recommendation Friday, April 10, 2009, for eight liquefied natural gas facilities located throughout the Gulf Coast.

The letters indicate that the waterways associated with Calhoun LNG, Point Comfort, Texas; Freeport LNG Phase II, Freeport, Texas; Golden Pass LNG, Sabine Pass, Texas; Port Arthur LNG, Port Arthur, Texas; Creole Trail LNG, Cameron, La.; Sabine Pass LNG Phase II, Cameron Parish, La.; Casotte Landing LNG, Pascagoula, Miss.; and Gulf LNG Clean Energy, Pascagoula, Miss., are suitable for the expected vessel traffic at those facilities.

The Coast Guard made its suitability recommendations after comprehensive reviews that followed applicable Coast Guard Navigation and Vessel Inspection circulars. The reviews focused on navigational safety, maritime security risks and the measures needed to responsibly manage those risks. During the review, the Coast Guard consulted a variety of stakeholders, including , multiple federal agencies, state governments, municipalities, recreational boaters, first responders, emergency service providers, port authorities, local waterways pilots and user groups, local safety committees and the general public.

The letters of recommendation were produced by the Coast Guard as required by Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations Section 127.009 and in close coordination with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which has responsibility for the liquefied natural gas facility siting, environmental impact, construction authorization and for issuing certificates for import and export of liquefied natural gas.

For more information about the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s permitting process, visit their Web site at http://www.ferc.gov/industries/lng/enviro/pub-involve.asp.

By Professional Mariner Staff