BOSTON – The Coast Guard signed a letter of recommendation Thursday regarding the Weaver’s Cove Energy, LLC proposal to construct an offshore LNG berth in Mt. Hope Bay, Mass.
As part of the Coast Guard’s contribution to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) review process, the Captain of the Port, Southeastern New England, along with key stakeholders exhaustively reviewed and validated the navigation safety and maritime security aspects of the Weaver’s Cove Energy, LLC LNG proposal.
The letter of recommendation provides the Coast Guard Captain of the Port’s assessment of the suitability of the waterway for the LNG marine traffic associated with the proposal to FERC to consider when it makes its permitting decision. Weaver’s Cove Energy, LLC intends to make up to 70 LNG tanker deliveries each year to the offshore berth, if FERC approves the project. FERC has final approval authority on site placement and authorization to construct the berth.
In the letter, the Captain of the Port recommends that the waterway be found suitable, provided that risk mitigation measures specified in the letter of recommendation are fully incorporated by FERC in its authorization order. The Coast Guard letter of recommendation does not give final approval for the project.
The Captain of the Port, Southeastern New England routinely briefed the project’s status at Port Safety and Security forums in both Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts. Additionally the Captain of the Port met individually with various federal, state and local officials to ensure their views and input were fully considered.
The letter of recommendation is included on the FERC docket and can be found at http://www.ferc.gov/industries/lng/indus-act/terminals/exist-prop-lng.asp.
For more information about FERC’s permitting process, contact FERC or visit FERC’s website at http://www.ferc.gov/industries/lng/enviro/pub-involve.asp.