According to Bill Cooper, president of the Center for LNG, the United States is unlikely to compete in the LNG shipping business in the near future. Cooper indicated that one of the barriers to U.S. buyers participating in the global LNG market is public utility commissions’ historic aversion to long-term contracts. Platts LNG Daily has the story. [Subscription required]

[This post was modified Feb. 1 to modify Mr. Cooper’s statement.]

An opinion piece published in today’s Newsday argues that the proposed Broadwater LNG terminal in Long Island Sound will reliably supply the region with needed natural gas and no significant downside.

NPR’s Morning Edition earlier this week reported on public opposition to Broadwater Energy’s proposed LNG terminal in Long Island Sound. In addition to interviewing supporters and opponents of the project, NPR also discussed concerns that the U.S. terminal siting process is currently conducted on a first-come-first-serve basis, rather than reviewing all projects together to determine which should move forward.

In a Jan. 29 letter, Maryland’s congressional delegation asked FERC to allow the state government additional time to comment on AES’ proposed Sparrows Point LNG terminal in Dundalk, Md. The legislators said the original deadline of Feb. 14 does not give newly elected and appointed officials sufficient time to assess the project’s potential environmental and safety risks. The letter is available in the FERC e-Library in Docket No. CP07-62. Platts LNG Daily provides further coverage. [Subscription required]

The U.S. Maritime Administration yesterday approved Suez Energy’s Neptune LNG terminal proposed for offshore Gloucester, Mass. According to project developer Suez Energy North America, the terminal will supplement – not replace – supply to the existing Everett LNG terminal, also owned by Suez. Maritime Administrator Sean T. Connaughton reportedly indicated that the project was given a higher priority over the Northeast Gateway proposal in part based on Suez’s commitment to use U.S. mariners on its vessels. The Boston Globe provides further coverage.

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick yesterday discussed with Gloucester public officials the potential impact that two offshore LNG terminals that were approved by his predecessor may have on the fishing industry. The Gloucester Daily Times has the story.

A poll sponsored by The Daily Astorian reveals that local residents are narrowly divided by Northern Star Natural Gas’ proposed Bradwood Landing LNG terminal. According to the newspaper, 42% of respondents are in favor of the project, while 40% oppose it. 

Enstar Natural Gas says that its consumers’ energy needs must be addressed before the Department of Energy can approve ConocoPhillips and Marathon Oil’s request for a two-year extension of an export license for its Kenai liquefaction facility. In response, a ConocoPhillips official asserted that there is adequate natural gas to supply both local and Asian markets. Read more in Platts LNG Daily. [Subscription required]

The Baltimore Sun says that while a federal judge’s ruling last week reinforces federal jurisdiction over the siting of LNG terminals, FERC should consider the opposition of the Baltimore County Council and Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley to AES’ proposed Sparrows Point LNG import facility as it reviews the project.

PalmBeachPost.com reports that most residents attending an informational meeting regarding a proposed LNG peaking facility in Indiantown, Fla., were satisfied with Floridian Natural Gas Storage’s plan to construct an LNG storage tank in their community.