Proposed LNG Terminal Off Alabama Makes For Hot Debate, Politics - Press-Register

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With only Gov. Bob Riley standing in the way of approval of a new liquefied natural gas terminal 63 miles south of Dauphin Island, supporters and opponents of TORP Technology's project squared off at a mostly cordial public meeting Tuesday evening.

About 130 people attended the Coast Guard-sponsored meeting, the last to be held during the two-year approval process. The public could make statements for the official record at the meeting but not ask questions. People speaking against the terminal outnumbered those speaking in favor. There was a sizable contingent of people in the room who never spoke but applauded vigorously whenever someone endorsed the terminal plan.

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Meanwhile, state officials said Riley remains open to allowing the Bienville Offshore Energy Terminal to be built. That represents a marked departure from past LNG terminal applications in the state, which Riley either threatened to veto or actively opposed because of environmental or safety concerns.

If Riley allows the terminal to proceed, he will demand certain concessions from TORP, according to officials. Chief among those would be a 10-year study of larval fish populations conducted at the project site and paid for by TORP. The first three years of data would be collected before the terminal was open for business.

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http://www.al.com/news/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/news/1219828507310920.xml&coll=3