Gov. Carcieri Signs Law Restricting LNG Vessel Transit
Rhode Island Gov. Donald Carcieri on Monday signed a law aimed at preventing LNG tankers from using the Narragansett Bay. The law prohibits “state assets” such as people, waterfront facilities and hunting areas from falling within designated LNG vessel transit exclusion zones. Weaver’s Cove Energy says the law is preempted by federal law and that the company will follow only federal laws governing vessel transit as it proceeds with its plans to construct the Weaver’s Cove LNG terminal in Fall River, Mass. The Providence Journal also notes that in May, the Coast Guard sent letters to the Rhode Island Senate and House confirming its opinion that the proposed state law would be preempted by federal law. Additional coverage may be found in an Associated Press article carried via today’s Boston Globe.