Governor Blanco Follows Through with Pledge
by Aaron Viles, Campaign Director with the Gulf Restoration Network

Last month Governor Kathleen Blanco took a historic position and vetoed the Freeport McMoRan Main Pass Energy Hub terminal, proposed for 16 miles off the mouth of the Mississippi River, in an area Louisiana fishermen know as the ‘fertile fisheries crescent.’

The Governor’s decision followed the recommendations of her fisheries experts at the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, as well as regional and federal level fish experts – all of whom agree that the fisheries impacts of the open-loop process, will be ‘significant and adverse.’ Unfortunately, the federal agency with permitting authority, the Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) has rubber-stamped every application that has come before it, siding with the LNG industry over fish experts.

In following through with her pledge of last year, Governor Blanco stood up to enormous pressure from elements of the business community organized by Freeport McMoRan, a New Orleans based multi-national mining corporation. The Governor is owed the gratitude of every Louisianan and Gulf resident concerned about the long-term health of our fisheries, as her decision paves the way for other Gulf Governors to stand up for our fish, and close the door on open-loop in the Gulf. The Gumbo Alliance for Safe LNG (Gulf Restoration Network, Louisiana Charter Boat Association, Louisiana Shrimp Association, RodNReel.com, and the Sierra Club) is proud of our Governor’s bold action.

Within 24 business hours of Governor Blanco’s decision, McMoRan had announced they would proceed with the development of Main Pass , utilizing a fish-friendly, closed-loop option.

The Governor’s decision was backed up by similar action from Alabama Governor Bob Riley. Faced with the decision whether to approve or deny ConocoPhillips’ Compass Port open-loop terminal, proposed for south of Dauphin Island , his intent to follow Governor Blanco’s lead sent Conoco back to the drawing board as well, shelving their terminal for now. After years of oil spills and coastal land loss, it’s relieving to see Gulf Governors seeking more than industry promises in ensuring the long-term protection for our precious natural resources and the economies that rely on them. Every concerned citizen, commercial or recreational fisherman that appreciates and supports sustainable fishing in the Gulf owes these leaders our thanks – please take a second to do that here.

With these two decisions, the writing is on the wall for further open-loop terminals in the Gulf of Mexico , leaving Shell as the only corporation with the permit and intent to build an open-loop terminal in the Gulf. Let’s keep pushing Shell to ‘close the loop’ on LNG in the Gulf.

Aaron Viles is the Campaign Director with the Gulf Restoration Network, a founding member of the Gumbo Alliance for Safe LNG. The GRN is a network of individuals and local, regional, and national groups committed to uniting and empowering people to protect and restore the resources of the Gulf region for future generations. On the web at: http://healthygulf.org