PROJECT STATUS
Weaver's Cove Energy has been working over the past four years, researching the safety aspects and technical and commercial feasibility of the LNG terminal, putting together a top-notch project team, meeting with members of key agencies, community groups, and elected officials and preparing the many applications and reports required for siting the terminal.
April 18, 2008 - Weaver's Cove Energy Begins the Pre-filing Process with FERC for Offshore Berth and Tranfer System
The pre-filing process for the offshore berth project and associated cryogenic transfer system commenced in April 2008 and should take approximately six months. During this period, Weaver's Cove will also apply for the necessary federal, and some state and perhaps a few local permits. A formal filing with FERC (the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) will then occur and outstanding remaining required state and local permit applications will be filed by Weaver's Cove. To view the submitted Request to Initiate the Pre-Filing Process, click here.
March 27, 2008 - New Berth and LNG Unloading System Proposal Announced
As Weaver's Cove continues to pursue the permits necessary to construct and operate the LNG terminal as approved by FERC, an alternative proposal is being considered for unloading LNG ships. This alternative proposal involves the construction of an offshore berth and LNG pipeline to transfer the LNG to the terminal site previously approved by FERC. To view a brief description of the Weaver's Cove plans for the new berth and LNG unloading system, click here. A press release distributed to all major news media outlets in the region can also be viewed by clicking here. To view a presentation with more information on the offshore berth, click here.
October 2007 - Economic Analysis Study on WCE Terminal Released
Global Insight Inc., a world leader in economic and financial analysis, forecasting, and market analysis, recently completed an economic analysis of the impact of the Weaver's Cove LNG terminal in Fall River, Massachusetts. Their study estimates a total of $626 million in economic benefits to the region, compiled from a variety of savings, new jobs, and industry purchase of commodities and services. Attached is the complete report, with documentation and methodology and analyses. To access the document, click here. To read a summary of the study's main points, click here.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Updates
7/19/06
Once again, by denying the opposition's appeals for a rehearing on the Weaver's Cove Energy project, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has reaffirmed its belief that the our project meets the safety and security criteria necessary to move forward with the planning process. You can access the FERC order denying rehearing by clicking on the link below:
FERC Order Denying Rehearing - July 19, 2006
1/19/06
By denying the opposition's appeals for a rehearing on the Weaver's Cove Energy project, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has reaffirmed its belief that the our project meets the safety and security criteria necessary to move forward with the planning process. You can access FERC Chairman Joseph T. Kelliher's statement and the FERC press release on the decision by clicking on the following links:
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission press release on January 19th, 2006 decisions
Statement of FERC Chairman Joseph T. Kelliher on Weaver’s Cove and KeySpan LNG Cases
Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) Updates
The Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) requires that state agencies study the environmental consequences of state permitting actions. While the MEPA review is not a permitting process, MEPA requires that state agencies "use all practicable means and measures to minimize damage to the environment" by studying alternatives to the proposed project. MEPA review also requires public study, disclosure and development of feasible mitigation for a proposed project. MEPA review occurs before state permitting agencies act to ensure that these agencies know the environmental consequences of their permit actions. To achieve this end, MEPA requires the development of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). This is accomplished in a number of stages in a process that is public, creates a written record and encourages comments from the public and from state, regional and local agencies at each step along the way.
7/28/06
The MEPA Certificate of the Supplemental Final Environmental Impact Statement is a statement made by the Massachusetts Secretary of the Office of Environmental Affairs declaring that the supplemental final environmental impact report complies with state standards. The SFEIR describes the projects impacts and measure to avoid, minimize and mitigate those impacts such that state agencies have the needed information to support the issuance of state permits to the project. Click on the following link to view the SFEIR text:
2/28/06
The Final Environmental Impact Report addresses a number of issues that were raised by the Secretary of Environmental Affairs and interested parties based on earlier filings made by Weaver's Cove Energy as part of the MEPA process. The document addresses project alternatives as well as environmental issues. It was drafted in response to the Certificate by the Secretary of Environmental Affairs that was issued on December 16, 2005. Click on the following links to view the FEIR text:
Final Environmental Impact Report Volume 1
Final Environmental Impact Report Volume II
12/16/05
The attached Certificate of the Secretary of Environmental Affairs on the Second Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Report (SSDEIR) states that the Draft Environmental Impact Report adequately describes the LNG project. The Certificate also describes those few remaining issues that the Secretary believes need to be addressed in the development of Final Environmental Impact Report in order to close out the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) review. The Secretary generated these views based on a review of the SSDEIR by the MEPA staff and comments provided by a number of permitting agencies and interested parties, including the public.
10/31/05
The Second Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Report addresses a number of issues that were raised by the Secretary of Environmental Affairs and interested parties based on earlier filings made by Weaver's Cove Energy as part of the MEPA process. The document addresses project alternatives as well as environmental issues. It was drafted in response to the Certificate by the Secretary of Environmental Affairs that was issued on December 17, 2004.
7/15/05
The issuance of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Certificate is
the result of over two years of extremely detailed study by several different
branches of the Federal government -- the FERC as well as the U.S. Coast Guard and
the U.S. Department of Transportation. The Certificate validates the view that
the Weaver's Cove Energy project can be constructed and operated safely and will
bring much needed energy and major benefits to the New England region. The order
imposes many conditions on Weaver's Cove Energy to ensure public safety, security
and the protection of the environment.
Click here to view the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Certificate for Weaver's Cove Energy, L.L.C. and Mill River Pipeline, L.L.C.
5/20/05
Upon receipt of all the agency, sponsor and public comments, and review
by FERC, the Commission staff issued a Final Environmental Impact Statement
(FEIS) on May 20, 2005. Following the issuance of the FEIS, the FERC can be
expected to rule on the project's application for a certificate, which could be
issued by early summer.
9/08/04 - 9/09/04
Since the DEIS was issued, additional public comment has been
solicited and many interested parties have filed written comments for and
against the project. The FERC has also held additional public meetings to hear
verbal comments on the project. These meetings were held on September 8 and
September 9, 2004.
7/31/04
On July 31, 2004, the FERC issued its Draft Environmental Impact
Statement (DEIS) for the project, in which the staff concluded "... that
approval of the proposed project with appropriate mitigating measures as
recommended [in the DEIS] would have limited environmental impact."
1/27/04
Additional public hearings were held by the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board on January 27, 2004.
7/29/03
The FERC/MEPA scoping session was held on July 29, 2003. This public
hearing was an opportunity for interested parties to raise questions or express
concerns more formally to the agencies and the project sponsor.
7/21/03
On July 21, 2003, Weaver's Cove Energy held an informational open house
for elected officials at the Venus de Milo Restaurant in Swansea, MA. Weaver's
Cove offered the same open house to neighbors of the project on July 22, 2003,
inviting residents within a one mile radius of the project, but open to all
interested members of the public and the media.
6/30/03
On June 30, 2003, Weaver's Cove Energy filed an expanded Environmental
Notification Form (ENF) with the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Office
(MEPA). The publication of the Weaver's Cove ENF in the MEPA Environmental
Monitor on July 8, 2003 kicked off a 45-day public comment period.
5/20/03
FERC accepted this request to participate in the pre-filing process and
issued Weaver's Cove Energy a Pre-Filing Docket Number (PF03-4-000) on May 20, 2003.
2/14/03
On February 14, 2003, Weaver's Cove Energy submitted a formal request to
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to participate in a "pre-filing"
process. Participating in this process allowed Weaver's Cove Energy to solicit
input from the various stakeholders and attempt to resolve concerns before key
features of project design are finalized. (See FERC's website, www.ferc.gov, for
more details on this process).