WHY ARE THE LIBERALS IGNORING THIS ISSUE???

LNG application drawing opposition
Last updated Dec 28 2005 02:22 PM AST
CBC News
American opponents of three liquefied natural gas terminals planned for Maine are hoping the Canadian government will cut off ocean access to the terminals.

Applications have been filed to build the terminals near Perry, Maine, across from Deer and Campobello Islands. Ocean access to the terminals would be through a narrow passage between the islands, and opponents of the plan worry it isn't safe.

Just before Christmas Quoddy Bay LLC pre-filed its application with the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Art MacKay, one of the project's opponents, says it is now time for the Canadian government to speak up.

"The Canadian government said that it would not act until there was a filing with FERC," says MacKay. "This should, in fact, bring this to the surface during this current campaign I would think."

Federal Conservative Leader Stephen Harper has voiced his opposition to the use of the sea passage by the tankers. The Conservative MP for New Brunswick Southwest, Greg Thompson, has also been lobbying the government to deny Americans access to the channel.

But some Maine communities have been busy trying to ensure the building of the terminals. David Turner of the Perry Improvement Association says if Quoddy Bay's terminal goes ahead his town would host the gas storage tanks, and that would mean big money.

"This facility would increase Perry's valuation from today's number of 52 million to 302 million," says Turner.

Turner's group has sent a letter to every home in the town telling them that revenue from the terminal would cover 80 per cent of property tax bills. The company also promises to set up a million dollar development fund for the community.

The company is saying it will give town residents special consideration when it comes to jobs at the facility.