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June 30, 2006

LNG developer accuses CRMC of foot-dragging

Weaver's Cove Energy has accused a Rhode Island regulatory agency of dragging its feet in reviewing the company's dredging plans in order to stall construction of the company's proposed LNG facility in Fall River, Mass.

The company cannot proceed with its plans to build the 73-acre facility until it gets the okay from several agencies, including the Rhode Island Coastal Management Resources Council, or CRMC. That's because some of the dredging would occur in Rhode Island waters.

"... The CRMC has abused its federally delegated authority under [federal law] by using it as a political tool to delay, block or otherwise obstruct this important energy infrastructure,'' Weaver's Cove said in a filing to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.

CRMC has said in previous filings that it had not processed the application because it was incomplete. It was missing a "water quality certification'' from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.

Weaver's Cove said DEM "has shown no inclination" to give it that certification, and that it is not needed anyway.

Posted by Tim Barmann  at 6:04 PM | Permalink

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