Annova LNG receives positive final environmental impact statement

This is a significant milestone in the development process for the Annova LNG Brownsville Project.

Omar Khayum, CEO of Annova LNG, said: “We appreciate the extensive reviews conducted by FERC and the cooperating agencies.

“We are pleased they recognise our proactive approach to minimising our impact on the environment, including investing in mitigation that is above and beyond what is required by local, state and federal regulations.”

The cooperating agencies included US Army Corps of Engineers, National Park Service, US Environmental Protection Agency, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Coast Guard, US Department of Energy, US Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Federal Aviation Administration. In addition to this, Annova LNG claims that it also consulted with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission throughout the review process.

The FERC EIS said in reference to the project’s overall environmental impact: “We conclude that impacts on the environment from the proposed project would be reduced to less than significant levels with the implementation of Annova’s proposed impact avoidance, minimisation, and mitigation measures and the additional measures recommended by FERC staff.

“From moving the entire site to accommodate an ocelot corridor, to using electric motor-driven equipment to minimise air emissions, Annova LNG has demonstrated its continued commitment to operating the Annova LNG project in an environmentally responsible manner.”

In the statement, Annova LNG claims that it has made a number of modifications to its layout to create a 185-acre environmental conservation corridor and avoid affecting over 100 acres of wetlands, designed with ocelots in mind. In addition to this, the company will restore and improve more than 250 acres of wetlands and shallow water habitat. These efforts would reportedly restore tidal exchange and estuarine habitat lost when the Brownsville Ship Channel and State Highway 48 were first built, and supplement continuing efforts to restore key estuarine habitat in the area.

Khayum added: “We also recognise FERC’s tremendous efforts to streamline the LNG review process, as FERC maintained its published schedule for the project, despite reopening the public comment period to allow additional time due to the federal government shutdown.

“This milestone is a significant contributor to the commercial development of the Annova LNG project.”

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/liquid-natural-gas/24042019/annova-lng-receives-positive-final-environmental-impact-statement/