Environmentalists Concerned About Impacts of Baltic Sea Gas Pipeline

[Karl]

Red Orbit – July 08, 2008

Nord Stream, the Swiss company that wants to build a Baltic Sea gas pipeline has signed an agreement with the Italian company Saipem on building the first 1,220 km of the pipeline. It will start in Vyborg in Russia and end in Greifswald in Germany. The schedule for the agreement is very tight. Construction cannot start until all the necessary permits have been obtained from all five countries along the route of the pipeline.

A meeting was held at the end of May, which noted that the environmental impact assessment of the project is still under way. It is scheduled to be completed at the beginning of next year. Permits will only be issued on the basis of the assessment. In Finland alone, two permits are required. Both take time and can also be subject to appeal. Everything needs to go exceptionally smoothly if Saipem's ships are to start laying the pipeline at the beginning of 2010.

Anita Makinen, head of the World Wildlife Fund's Marine Programme, is watching this haste with concern. In her opinion, when preparations for a project go so far before the permits are obtained, it "pushes the decision-makers' backs to the wall" and "undermines the backbone of the entire environmental assessment and permit process." Clearly, Nord Stream is very confident about obtaining the permits. The company has also started storing pipes in the port of Kotka and its subcontractor Eupec is preparing to build a pipe- coating factory in Kotka.

Source: Finnish Environmentalist Concerned About Impact of Baltic Gas Pipeline Project - Business - redOrbit

Related Article: Environmental requirements on any gas pipeline

Project Info: http://www.helcom.fi/press_office/ne...fault/NEGP.pdf

[natureguy]

Originally Posted by Karl

Red Orbit – July 08, 2008

Anita Makinen, head of the World Wildlife Fund's Marine Programme, is watching this haste with concern. In her opinion, when preparations for a project go so far before the permits are obtained, it "pushes the decision-makers' backs to the wall" and "undermines the backbone of the entire environmental assessment and permit process." Clearly, Nord Stream is very confident about obtaining the permits. The company has also started storing pipes in the port of Kotka and its subcontractor Eupec is preparing to build a pipe- coating factory in Kotka.


Related Article: Environmental requirements on any gas pipeline

Her concern is real and I hope environmental concerns don't take a backseat while deciding on the project.

@ Karl: Pretty informative link.

[Karl]

Environmental and geopolitical concerns mix in EP objections to Nord Stream project

The planned Nord Stream pipeline along the seabed of the Baltic Sea worries MEPs for both environmental and geopolitical reasons. In a report adopted by 542 votes in favour, 60 against and 38 abstentions, the EP calls on Commission and Council to be more actively involved in evaluating the potential environmental impact of this gas pipeline. The report responds to two petitions by Polish and Lithuanian environmental associations who fear that the planned pipeline could harm marine eco-systems.
As one of the infrastructure projects selected under the EU Trans-European Energy Networks (TEN-E) initiative, the Nord Stream submarine pipeline, which would directly link up Germany and Russia, is the subject of an own-initiative report by Petitions Committee Chair Marcin Libicki(UEN, PL).

Dumped munitions might pose threat to environment and human health

MEPs warn that this, the world's longest and shallowest dual sub-sea gas pipeline, would be "especially vulnerable to potential damage". They stress that "while carrying out work in an area of up to 2,400 km² in the Baltic Sea, requiring the use of a large number of vessels and other equipment, could represent a serious threat to biodiversity and to the number of habitats", and that Nord Stream AG should be obliged to pay compensation for any environmental damage.

Disturbing munitions dumped on the Baltic seabed after World War II could pose a threat to the Baltic marine environment, and to human life and health, says the report. Toxic substances such as mustard gas, sulphur yperite, nitrogen yperite, lewisite, Clark I, Clark II and adamsite are all present in about 80,000 tonnes of munitions that are now very heavily corroded and cannot always be located, adds the report.

Diversification of resources and alternative routes essential for European energy security

As the EU depends on a limited number of energy sources, suppliers and transport routes, "it is essential to support initiatives aimed at their diversification, both geographically and by developing sustainable alternatives", says the report. It also underlines that "energy security must be regarded as an essential component of the overall security of the European Union," taking into account "the geopolitical dependency on imports and the potential therein for politically motivated interruptions."

The Parliament notes that the Nord Stream pipeline will be only one of a large number of infrastructure projects, such as pipelines and liquid natural gas facilities, needed to meet growing demand for natural gas. MEPs also argue that given growing EU gas demand, alternative gas pipeline routes should be analysed and promoted.

Clear European interest, but insufficient EU involvement

The Parliament notes that the Nord Stream pipeline is "a project of European interest that would help meet the EU's future energy needs." While saying that "Nord Stream is an infrastructure project with a wide political and strategic dimension for both the EU and Russia,", the House also notes "the lack of institutional structures capable of responding adequately to the environmental and geopolitical security issues associated with this project." The report also notes that "in light of Russia's current political situation and geopolitical ambitions, [...] it is of great importance that Russia show goodwill regarding cooperation in the European energy policy."

Emphasising that "greater EU involvement would reduce the uncertainty felt by many Member States," the report asks the Commission to evaluate the environmental impact of the project. MEPs voice their opposition at the "carrying-out of an investment on the proposed scale without having first a positive environmental impact assessment," and call on Commission and Council to ensure that the pipeline's construction adheres to all EU an international legislation.

Source: Environmental and geopolitical concerns mix in EP objections *

Related:

·Business Feed Article | Business |
·Bloomberg.com: Germany
·http://www.themoscowtimes.com/articl.../42/368850.htm
·EurActiv.com - Baltic pipeline under fire despite industry assurances | EU - European Information on Energy Supply