Always pays to read the fine print. Language in the latest Energy Bill pending in Congress would give the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) the power to override state and federal regulations governing the siting of Liquid Natural Gas facilities on their shores. This is the same FERC which cared so deeply about the public's interest that it found no need to even bother to investigate charges that Enron was gaming the electric distribution system and costing consumers in California billions of dollars by selectively shutting down generating plants for "maintenance." (Turns out of course that there were audio tapes of the miscreants joking to each other on the phone as they "screwed grandma." -- You can hear their laughter and cynicism in the new movie "Enron" coming out shortly.) The full story...below the fold
This text comes from an article today produced by Fairplay, a UK-based journal covering the maritime trade and transportation industry.
__
Official opposition to land-based LNG terminals by US state and local authorities would be largely negated under legislation being developed this week. Randolph McManus, a partner with law firm Baker Botts in Washington, DC, said the draft of the overall energy bill undergoing mark-up in the House of Representatives includes language that will give the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) sweeping authority regarding the location of LNG terminals. McManus, a leading
energy attorney, said he expects opposition to the provision from the California delegation as that state is currently locked in a lawsuit with FERC over siting for such terminals. Other potential opposition may come from East Coast representatives, as only the US Gulf coast states have been open to both onshore and offshore LNG terminal development.
Industry analysts also fear that the development of Atlantic coast LNG terminals in Canada and Pacific coast terminals in Mexico may increase the "not in my back yard" attitudes in the US. McManus says placing siting authority with the FERC will bring `discipline' to a process often mired in local politics and special interests.
_
__
.....and one might add.....and put it in the hands of federal politics and special interests.
Time to call your local representatives. Yet another example of the GOP's flip flopping on the issue of state's rights. They talk constantly about the need to leave such issues in the hands of state and local government which is closer to the people....unless those people turn out to be "special interests."