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June 8, 2007

R.I. attorney general argues feds violated law on LNG

Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch's office argued in federal appeals court today that federal regulators were in "blatant violation" of a law and the public interest, alleging they were "allowing market forces" to determine what happens to a liquefied natural gas project proposed in Fall River, Mass.

In a news release, Lynch's office referred to oral arguments before the U.S. First Circuit Court of Appeals, in Boston, regarding the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's approval of the Weaver's Cove Energy and Hess LNG project. The project has drawn howls of protest from across the region over safety and other concerns.

Lynch's office asked the court to "remedy" violations of federal law, known as the Natural Environmental Policy Act, it alleges the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission committed in approving the project.

The Coast Guard recently raised concerns about a plan offered by the company to use smaller LNG-transportating ships to and from the envisioned Fall River terminal. The vessels would traverse Mount Hope Bay, crossing in and out of Rhode Island and Massachusetts waters.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 2:37 PM | Permalink

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