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Press Release March 3rd, 2009: Deputy told that LNG is a fossil fuelThe ‘Safety Before LNG’ group has criticised comments made by North Kerry T.D. Jimmy Deenihan which could be interpreted as promoting the LNG Terminal project at Tarbert as an environmentally-friendly “green energy” project. The TD, according to the Kerryman newspaper of February 25th 2009 has called “for a green energy park to be created in the area“, saying “that Kerry could now become leaders in clean fuel”.Can someone please explain to Deputy Deenihan that LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS is a fossil fuel and is dirtier than clean coal technology? Considering that SEMEURO has plans for a large petroleum tank farm adjacent to the LNG terminal, we would like the deputy to explain where we will be able to fit in any green energy projects in this area next to the Whiddy-like SEMEURO fuel tanks, the four 20-storey LNG tanks, the pipeline, the mooted gas-powered electricity-generating station the 3 miles of high-powered cables from Kilcolgan to Tarbert and the related road upgrading works. Independent New Zealand-based energy analyst Steve Goldthorpe has already questioned the entire logic of the LNG project. He stated that “the entire supply of natural gas for power generation in Ireland in 2007 would correspond to 38 shiploads of LNG per year” . As the developer anticipates 125 ships a year then it is now evident that the LNG project will have a crowding-out effect on the renewable energy sector which will not be able to compete with the glut of natural gas that will occur in the Irish market. The group fears the creation of a fossil-fuel monopoly by Shannon LNG because of the capital investment in large gas infrastructure projects which will use only gas - not renewable energy sources. The energy mix will now be weighted even more in favour of fossil fuels and will definitely work counter to the Government’s target of generating at least 40 per cent of electricity from renewable sources by 2020. It proves the point that there is no forward-thinking plan for the Shannon Estuary. It is time for people in positions of responsibility to refrain from jumping on the green bandwagon to promote a fossil-fuel project. LNG is not only dangerous; it is also dirty. The largest LNG tankers in the world will be delivering LNG to the largest LNG storage tanks in the world in what will be the most sizeable hazard in Ireland and still no Marine Risk Assessment has been undertaken of the risks and consequences of an LNG spill on water. The bottom line is that there is still no integrated plan for the Shannon Estuary -apart from encouraging developer-led projects. The project still requires a Foreshore Licence, a licence from the CER and an IPPC licence from the EPA, each of which could result in separate public oral hearings which the ‘Safety Before LNG’ group will rigorously contest. The ‘Safety Before LNG’ group also welcomes the government -sponsored report by Transparency International which found that personal relationships, patronage and political donations are believed to influence political decisions and policy to a considerable degree in Ireland. Ends Notes to Editor: Kerryman, November 19th 2008 : "Synergy between the ESB and the LNG development should lead to an emphasis now on the landbank tapping into the vast opportunities that are being presented by green energy at present" (see Kerryman of November 19th 2008 ). Kerryman, February 25th 2009:
North
Kerry TD, Jimmy Deenihan — who has called for a green energy park to be
created in the area — said that Kerry could now become leaders in clean
fuel."North Kerry can take the lead on green energy now and we will have to ensure the lead is not taken from us by our own lethargy or anything else. "Importantly, this could also see Bord Gáis bringing gas into Listowel, through local villages, and it would be important to have customers there for them. Kerry Ingredients might see fit to convert to gas to incentivise this possibility," Deputy Deenihan said. Full Story: Planning board gives green light to LNG pipelineWednesday February 25 2009 http://www.kerryman.ie/news/planning-board-gives-green-light-to-lng-pipeline-1652201.html A NEW chapter in the history of energy supply in north Kerry is set to begin after last week's decision by An Bord Pleanála to greenlight a 26km gas pipeline that would connect the proposed Shannon LNG gas plant to the national grid. The second major hurdle for Shannon LNG in constructing their proposed €500million gas plant on the landbank, the permission for the pipeline was welcomed by most in North Kerry — many seeing it as the only positive development in the region's economic circumstance of late. With new Tarbert-Island owners, Endesa, committed to building a new gas-powered plant alongside the existing one and with an Bord Gáis committed to running the national gas grid southward through Listowel and Tralee towards Killarney, it is the region's only economic hope for many. However, local protest groups — under the umbrella of Safety Before LNG — say the Bord's decision is a 'corruption of the planning process' due to the splitting of the gas terminal and gas pipeline in that process. They claim this was done to 'circumvent a cumulative impact assessment' of the entire project and have made a new challenge on the legality of the project. This has already been accepted by the Bord as a valid appeal and a decision on the matter is expected before May 11. The pipeline would exit the gas terminal at Ralappane and travel the 26km underground as far as the nearest grid access at Leahy's near Foynes. For Tarbert Development Association, this week's news is very welcome. "We're relieved and delighted, though we're not surprised seeing that it's only 26km of 2,000 nationally," PRO John Fox told The Kerryman. "With Endesa's plans to build a gas-powered electricity plant within the next three years, this could be the catalyst for the survival of North Kerry in this difficult times. Between all projects, up to 1,000 people could be employed here letting us ride out the recession. The only fly in the ointment is the appeal by the Safety Before LNG group, but the good news is that the decision on that will be known by May and we hope that will be the last of it," he said. North Kerry TD, Jimmy Deenihan — who has called for a green energy park to be created in the area — said that Kerry could now become leaders in clean fuel. "North Kerry can take the lead on green energy now and we will have to ensure the lead is not taken from us by our own lethargy or anything else. "Importantly, this could also see Bord Gáis bringing gas into Listowel, through local villages, and it would be important to have customers there for them. Kerry Ingredients might see fit to convert to gas to incentivise this possibility," Deputy Deenihan said. |