Action Alert from the Gulf Restoration Network

GRN ACTION ALERT - LNG Facilities Pose Threat to Gulf Fisheries
http://www.healthygulf.org

Problem: Liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals pose a developing threat to commercial and recreational fishing in the Gulf. With 21 facilities proposed for the western Gulf, LNG could have a huge impact on our region. Imported natural gas, shipped to the U.S. in a liquefied form, needs to be warmed to be "re-gasified," and then delivered to our gas pipeline infrastructure.

Seven of the 21 facilities intend to use an open rack vaporizer, or open loop system, running Gulf seawater through radiator-like racks. One terminal alone could use up to 200 million gallons of Gulf water a day to "re-gasify" the natural gas. The drastic temperature change and physical damage caused by the process will destroy fish eggs and larva by the billions. For example, Shell's Gulf Landing facility could impact red drum in the Gulf by as much as the equivalent of 3.8% of Louisiana's annual landings, according to the latest analysis. Currently, each site is analyzed separately and there have been no studies of the cumulative impacts of all the LNG facilities in the Gulf.

We must not jeopardize our fisheries in a rush to develop LNG terminals.

Solution: LNG facilities in the Gulf of Mexico must use the closed-loop systems that use natural gas to warm the LNG, not Gulf seawater. Though more expensive to the gas companies, closed loop systems would be significantly less destructive to our fisheries. However, BP recently voluntarily agreed to use only the closed loop system with their proposed Pelican Island facility near Galveston, Texas. Clearly, companies can build economically viable facilities without using the open loop system.

Urgency: The process to approve LNG facilities has been fast-tracked by the Bush administration. Consequently, two facilities that will use the open loop system have already been approved in the Gulf of Mexico. We must act now to ensure that the five other facilities seeking permits use the closed loop system.

Action: Write to your Congresspersons today and ask for their support to ensure that only closed loop systems are allowed to move forward in the Gulf. They should also request that the Coast Guard and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (the agencies charged with granting permits for LNG facilities) complete a cumulative environmental impact analysis of all proposed LNG facilities in the Gulf.

To find your Representative or Senator and his/her contact information, please visit www.house.gov or www.senate.gov.

For more information on this issue, please visit www.healthygulf.org/fisheries/issues.htm.

Sample Letter:

Dear Senator or Representative:

I am writing to express my concerns about the impact of approved and proposed Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities on important fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico. The potential negative impact of open loop flow-through systems, also known as open rack vaporizers (ORV), must be prevented. The devastating impacts to our marine resources are easily avoided by requiring LNG facilities to use closed loop systems.

Seven of the 21 LNG facilities proposed in the Gulf of Mexico plan to use an open loop system, running Gulf seawater through radiator-like racks. One terminal alone could use up to 200 million gallons of Gulf water a day to "re-gasify" the natural gas. The drastic temperature change and physical damage caused by the process will destroy fish eggs and larva by the billions. For example, Shell's Gulf Landing facility could impact red drum in the Gulf by as much as the equivalent of 3.8% of Louisiana's annual landings, according to the latest analysis.

I am writing to ask for your support of all efforts to ensure that the potential impacts of LNG development on Louisiana's recreational and commercial fisheries are addressed. First, I ask that you work to ensure that only closed-loop systems are allowed to move forward in the Gulf. Second, I ask that you request the Coast Guard and FERC to complete a cumulative environmental impact analysis of all proposed LNG facilities in the Gulf. We need your support to protect the important marine resources in the Gulf of Mexico.

Sincerely,

Your Name Here