Irving Says it Won't Fight Maine LNG Projects
But critics have doubts, and the Canadian company has reason to boost its image here
By Tux Turkel
Portland Press Herald - Sept. 2, 2009
The Canadian parent company of Irving Oil has written U.S. energy regulators to say it does not and will not oppose development of liquefied natural gas terminals in Maine. The letter was sent Tuesday to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission from Fort Reliance, which has substantial energy investments in eastern Canada and New England.
Irving Oil says it won't oppose LNG facilities
Tensions Rise over proposed cross-border energy corridor
By Eric Russel
Bangor Daily News - Sept. 2, 2009
Representatives of the parent company of Irving Oil are pledging not to oppose proposed liquefied natural gas facilities in Down East Maine. In a letter to U.S. officials, Daniel Goodwin with Fort Reliance — the holding company for Irving’s energy businesses —wrote that all energy projects “that aim to improve our shared region’s supply of clean, secure and reliable energy … should be given the opportunity to proceed through the various local, state or provincial and federal regulatory processes.”
Maine politicians pressured to resist N.B. energy corridor over LNG fight
CBC News - May 27, 2009
A proposed energy corridor between New Brunswick and Maine has been stalled as a new lobby group turns up the heat on state politicians over Canadian opposition to proposed LNG terminals in the area. Senators and members of the House of Representatives have been hearing from a group called Maine Jobs First, which have been urging them to withhold approval for the corridor until the New Brunswick and Canadian governments stop opposing liquefied natural gas terminals on Passamaquoddy Bay.
State Puts Delay on Energy Corridor Plan
Limited water access from Canada to Washington County may sink a plan to ship energy through Maine
By Tux Turkel
Portland Press Herald - May 14, 2009
Mounting pressure this week from major manufacturers, energy companies and organized labor contributed Wednesday to a decision to temper the Baldacci administration's enthusiastic support for a so-called Northeast Energy Corridor that would traverse the state from Atlantic Canada. The preliminary vote of support by a legislative committee effectively places prohibitions on new energy corridor development in Maine until a special commission studies how the state can get maximum value from any lease arrangement with corridor developers.
Maine Jobs First ads rolled out
Campaign urges caution in talks with Canada on energy
By Eric Russel
Bangor Daily News - May 12, 2009
A coalition of state businesspeople and consumers has launched an advertising campaign to put pressure on Canadian firms to keep Maine’s economic interests in mind when it comes to future energy initiatives. Maine Jobs First LLC rolled out a series of full-page newspaper ads across Maine over the weekend that called on lawmakers to take a step back in its potential partnership with Canada on an energy transmission corridor.