Rep. McGovern Calls FERC Decision on Weaver’s Cove “Meaningless”
U.S. Rep. James McGovern (D-Mass.) characterized FERC’s decision not to reverse its approval of the Weaver’s Cove LNG project as “a meaningless kind of decision,” saying that the U.S. Coast Guard has more influence over the fate of the project. “The response is very clear that the Coast Guard has jurisdiction over this and the Coast Guard has voiced skepticism about these plans,” McGovern said. “I remain confident that at the end of the day this is not going to happen.” Fall River Mayor Edward M. Lambert Jr. questioned the process by which FERC commissioners arrived at their conclusion. “I don’t know if their regulations allow for such administrative decisions,” Lambert said. “I think it’s pretty unique…(that) they decided this without a meeting.”
Separately, the Massachusetts Secretary of Environmental Affairs announced Friday that a supplemental final environmental impact report will be required to bring the project into compliance with the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act; MEPA compliance is a prerequisite for obtaining certain state permits. Today’s Herald News reports on both issues.