FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE May 2, 2006
CONTACT: Ted Venker,
1-800-201-FISH
CCA
Calls on Gov. Blanco to Oppose
Open-loop LNG
Coastal Conservation Association continues its call for Governor
Kathleen Babineaux Blanco to veto the liquefied natural gas (LNG)
terminal that McMoRan Exploration proposes to build 16 miles off the
Louisiana coast.
In a recent letter sent to the Governor, CCA Louisiana President
Nelson Roth, Jr. called on the Governor to continue her commitment
to veto open-loop LNG.
“The risk to our marine resources is significant and unnecessary. We
are all cognizant of the very real need to supply energy to the
country, but that does not require us to risk unknown damage to
populations of marine species when there are other viable
technologies that can balance our energy needs with our
responsibility to protect as fully as possible the marine
ecosystem.”
CCA opposes terminals that use “open rack” vaporization systems,
also referred to as open-loop systems. These types of LNG terminals
receive imported liquefied gas and convert it back to a gaseous
state by circulating seawater through a radiator-like system to
reheat it. An open-loop system can filter more than 100 million
gallons of seawater per day, then chlorinates it to prevent fouling
in the intake pipe, creating the potential to kill billions of fish
eggs, larvae and plankton annually.
McMoRan Exploration is seeking federal approval for the proposed
terminal. Even though such terminals are licensed by the federal
government, the governors of impacted states have a say in the
process.
After a recent call-to-action from CCA, hundreds of CCA members have
voiced their concern and opposition to open-loop LNG facilities
directly to Gov. Blanco.
“Our problem is with the technology they propose to use. Simply put,
we’re not prepared to accept harm to our natural resources so that
LNG terminals can operate more cheaply,” said CCA Louisiana
Executive Director Jeff Angers.
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