Fresh fears over LNG as environmental group get injunction

FRIENDS OF THE IRISH ENVIRONMENT OBTAIN HIGH COURT HEARING AGAINST SHANNON LNG PROJECT

SUPPORTERS of the Shannon LNG project are urging the High Court to issue its ruling on the latest objection to the project as quickly as possible amid fears the whole thing is about to become mired in another lengthy legal battle that could put paid to it once and for all.

Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE) obtained a last-minute injunction on Thursday in what is understood to be a challenge against the way in which An Bord Pleanála observed procedure in granting the gas project a five-year extension in July of its planning permission.

The case will be heard in the High Court on October 4, as FIE seek to initiate a judicial review of An Bord’s July decision. If granted, it will lead to a legal battle that could last months.

It comes just Shannon LNG appears to have secured a major global energy firm to help realise the project on the landbank, in the guise of New Fortress Energy - which specialises indelivering ‘ turnkey solutions for critical energy projects’.

The initial energy giant behind it all, Hess LNG, has long since divested itself of the project and it is now feared that another long delay might discourage the new player.

“We’re disappointed by it, bearing in mind the long process that was followed to get the project this far, all the regulations complied with and the promise of jobs for the region that it represents,” John Fox of the Tarbert Development Association, which supports the project, said.

“The two outstanding issues until recently, in the tarrifs and Shannon LNG’s Supreme Court appeal, have just been resolved and there is a new company involved that appears anxious to get going...it would be a terrible sin if this opportunity would be lost for the second time,” Mr Fox said.

Fianna Fáil TD John Brassil is urging the High Court to expedite its ruling: “We cannot have any further delays, and I am urging the High Court to issue its decision on October 4 and to not allow any further delays to this project.

“While clarification is needed on the recent investment announcement; it is, as I said at the time, a shot in the arm for the project. We cannot allow any further delays,” he said.

The decision was welcomed in a statement on the Safety Before LNG website: “Well done Friends of the Irish Environment. The people of North Kerry thank you...Everybody knows that shipped fracked gas from America is dirtier than coal and will have a disastrous effect on the climate.”