Freeport McMoran project to convert their underutilized Main Pass Sulphur mining facility into the nation's leading Liquified Natural Gas import facility.

This $400 million project is awaiting approval. It would use the existing pipelines  and salt domes to receive, store and distribute natural gas.

Kathleen Blanco became involved in this project on environmental grounds. The issue "boiled up" over heating the liquified natural gas back to gaseous state prior to pumping it through the pipelines. There are two ways to heat the LNG. Closed loop technology burns about 1% of the gas for the required heat. Open loop technology pumps seawater through heat exchangers.

MPEH was originally proposed using Open Loop technology. Fisherman objected claiming that the seawater contained fish eggs and larvae that would be killed by the temperature drop. Blanco concurred and denied the MPEH application.

Closed Loop technology burns the gas and adds to the carbon dioxide emmissions and cost. Wouldn't a 1/2 % environmental tax make more sense. Run it open loop and monitor the environmental impact. Its win-win rather than lose-lose.

www.mpeh.com