One thousand protest Maine’s LNG development!

This week, one thousand people arrived in St. Andrews to protest nearby LNG development. There are three LNG terminals proposed for the Passamoquoddy Bay area. Two American natural gas companies have applied to the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Committee for the right to pass through New Brunswick waters to terminals on the northeast coast of Maine. If the application, which is still under review, is approved, there could be a steady stream of freighters in the area. Luckly, the federal and provincial governments have joined with residents and voiced opposition to the passage of the tankers, which are approximately 12 storeys high and four football fields long.

Margot Sackett, with the group Save Passamoquoddy Bay Canada, said there are numerous reasons why the projects should not be approved. “Passamoquoddy Bay is an extraordinary resource, marine and cultural resource,” she told CBC News. “The entrance is in Canadian waters, the tankers would have to go through those and through the very dangerous Head Harbour Passage … it’s a very unsuitable place to place LNG terminals.” For residents, the prospect of constant tanker traffic is a big concern. “It’s hard for me to think that my life wouldn’t be impacted by a freighter the size of four football fields coming down that view line,” said local resident Gwenda Gauley.

Residents on the American side of the bay also joined Tuesday’s protest. “This is a bay effort, it isn’t an individual effort. Maine and certainly the U.S. have got to understand that it’s not just little bitty bitty town after bitty town. It is in fact the whole bay,” said Suzanne Crawford, who lives across the bay from St. Andrews. The decision on the LNG projects could take a long time. Protesters said they would continue their efforts until they can be sure tankers won’t be allowed in the bay.

So why the big fuss? Well simply because the terminals are being proposed in the wrong location. It simply doesn’t make any sense that LNG tankers would have to cross Canadian waters to reach the terminals in Maine. Not to mention the fact that the area is a tourist town where people can go to relax! I’m glad the federal and provincial governments are behind the citizens; but, I hope they can keep up the pressure to ensure that the area remains as it is - a great place to visit and enjoy nature.

For more information on helping protect the bay, visit the Save Passamoquoddy Bay website.