Baldacci: Canada unfair on LNG

From Robert Godfrey (Wed 9/16/2009 9:50 PM)

Baldacci’s own “State of Maine Comprehensive Energy Plan 2008-2009” has not yet determined that LNG would be good for Maine, yet Baldacci is out lobbying for the industry.

Baldacci’s own Energy Plan requires the state to conduct a year-long natural gas “dialogue” to “continue to explore the feasibility of the development of a LNG facility in Maine.” In other words, to determine if LNG is something Maine should welcome, or not.

THAT STATE PROCESS HAS NOT YET BEGUN. If the process began today, a determination about LNG in Maine could not occur before mid-September 2010.

Additionally, since Congress gives the US Coast Guard the authority to deny or grant the use of the waterway (Canada’s Head Harbour Passage and the Canadian portion of Passamaquoddy Bay) for LNG transits, and since sovereigns are equal, then Canada has that same authority.

Baldacci’s claim that the United States has the authority to determine who can use Canada’s waterway, but Canada does not is patently and legally flawed.

There are two sovereign governments involved in this issue. Canada has already made its determination that LNG in Passamaquoddy Bay would be unsafe to Canadians and the Canadian environment. The projects are effectively dead.

Baldacci is …

1) Clearly out of line, both with Maine and with New Brunswick;
2) Abusing his own adminstration’s energy policy; and
3) Accomplishing nothing but ill-will with New Brunswick.