Concerns Expressed Over Gaz de France Takeover of Distrigas LNG Facility
The Distrigas LNG terminal in Everett, Mass. might soon be under French control and that has raised the concerns of locals, according a report in Saturday’s Boston Herald . Gaz de France is looking to buy Suez, which owns the facility. Some say that the possibility of a foreign entity controlling U.S. LNG infrastructure brings to mind the Dubai ports controversy. “Even if France is an ally, sometimes they have interests that diverge,” said Craig Cooper, a researcher at the Monterey Institute for International Studies. Others are concerned that the French move might hamper efforts by locals to shut down the terminal for safety and security reasons. “All this would do is further insulate the (Everett) plant from local and state pressure,” said State Sen. Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford). “The bottom line is that the Everett facility should be shut down…but this [French deal] complicates things.” Distrigas spokesperson Julie Vitek says that Americans run the facility now, and added that Gaz de France’s involvement could benefit the terminal. [Access to archived articles requires a fee.]