The government’s announcement last week that the Environmental Impact Assessment for the proposed AES project to build a natural gas pipeline between Ocean Cay and Florida is being made public suggests that a final decision on the three companies involved may be forthcoming soon.
In addition to AES, two other energy giants ﾗ Tractebel and El Paso Corp. ﾗ are competing to construct a pipeline, and each has an impressive background in the liquified natural gas business.
The decision is a difficult one, to say the least.
AES, for example, describes itself as “a leading independent power company,” which “owns and operates over $34 billion of assets in 28 countries on five continents.”
Tractebel, likewise operates worldwide, and its North America operation alone “owns and/or operates a total of 57 power, cogeneration, steam, and chilled-water facilities.” Its subsidiary owns and operates the Massachusetts LNG receiving terminal which meets 15-20 per cent of New England’s annual gas demand.”
And El Paso Corporation is “a leading provider of natural gas services and the largest pipeline company in North America.”
Minister of Health and Environment Dr. Marcus Bethel took pains to mention, in making last week’s announcement, that the cabinet will not decide until the public has had an opportunity to give its input. He noted that the government wants input from all segments of society having an interest in the project.
We hope that provisions are made for input from residents of Grand Bahama without them having to make a special trip to New Providence to do so. This is important because Grand Bahamians clearly are, or should be, in favour of Tractebel or El Paso Corp.
That’s because both companies plan to construct their pipelines from Grand Bahama, and our economy stands to benefit immensely from the project.
In the case of Tractebel, it proposes to build 100 miles of pipeline from Freeport Harbour to Port Everglades, and El Paso proposes to construct its pipeline from a facility near South Riding Point.
Tractebel more likely than not would be the company of choice for Grand Bahamians who are aware of its excellent track record in this area, a fact which government would be wise to take under consideration.
Editorial, The Nassau Guardian
