Congressman Barney Frank
Representing Massachusetts' 4th District

Frank and McGovern Applaud Latest Coast Guard Recommendation
Against Weaver’s Cover LNG Plan
September 3, 2010

U.S. Congressmen Barney Frank and James McGovern today praised the decision by the Coast Guard to reaffirm its previous determinations that the navigation approach to the proposed Weaver’s Cove Liquefied Natural Gas facility in Fall River is unsuitable from a safety standpoint.  The decision was formally announced in a letter from the Coast Guard Commandant to Weaver’s Cove Energy’s CEO Gordon Shearer.

This most recent action follows a long history during which the Coast Guard has repeatedly rejected Weaver’s Cove Energy’s request to approve a site for the LNG facility.  In October, 2007, Coast Guard Captain Roy Nash issued a Letter of Recommendation declaring that the waterway to the proposed site was unsuitable for the declared purpose.  Weaver’s Cove Energy has appealed that decision several times, but the Coast Guard has reiterated its opposition at every step.

In 2005, Representatives Frank and McGovern passed legislation to bar the removal of the old Brightman Street Bridge over the Taunton River, effectively blocking large vessels from reaching the proposed site.  Weaver’s Cove Energy subsequently sought the Coast Guard’s approval to use smaller tankers to transport LNG to the proposed terminal.  When this proposal was also rejected, Weaver’s Cove Energy proposed the construction of an LNG receiving platform in Mt. Hope Bay and connecting the platform to the facility in Fall River with a cryogenic pipeline in the Taunton River.

Brian Salerno, the Deputy Commandant for Operations at the Coast Guard, wrote in the most recent letter that “It is my opinion that the administrative record provides reasonable and adequate documentation to support CAPT Nash’s recommendation that the waterway, as it currently exists, is unsuitable for the type, size, and frequency of LNG marine traffic associated with Weaver’s Cove’s proposal.”

Two weeks ago, Frank and McGovern announced that they had secured a provision in a House bill that would prevent federal funds from being used in any way to advance the LNG project.

“I commend the Coast Guard for their unbiased evaluation and I am pleased that the Coast Guard has in very strong terms made it clear that this facility is unsafe,” Frank said.  “I urge Weaver’s Cove to accept reality and finally walk away from this ill-advised proposal, but if they do not I will continue to do all that I can to stop this project from going forward.”

“The Coast Guard has continued to make their position crystal clear – Weaver’s Cove’s proposal is unacceptable,” Rep. McGovern said.  “I will continue to work with Barney Frank and local officials to move forward on redeveloping the Fall River waterfront without an LNG facility.”