By Steve Alexander Reporter
Published: Tue, August 26, 2008 - 10:37 pm
Last Updated: Tue, August 26, 2008 - 11:01 pm
Short URL: http://wkrg.com/a/17318/
Steve Alexander
A company called TORP Technology wants to build an offshore energy terminal in the Gulf of Mexico almost 63 miles south of Dauphin Island and Fort Morgan.
Tuesday night, the public had one last chance to speak out on the idea.
The company that wants to build the facility says it would bring business to Alabama as well as more gas to the area.
Joe Berno with TORP Technology said, "Projections show that the existence of this facility in the area could lower the cost of gas at a wholesale level by approximately five cents."
The Coast Guard has already issued its final environmental impact statement on how it believes the terminal will affect marine life, but opponents say there was no way an accurate study could be done.
Mark Prescott with U.S. Coast Guard, "We called it to be a minor to potential moderate impact."
Casi Callaway with Mobile Baykeeper said, "Low to moderate impact on what? We don't have a clue what species are out there, what species breed out there?"
At the public hearing at the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center, more than a dozen people spoke for and against the terminal.
Alan Cameron of Mobile said, "I support the project as an economic stimulus for the area and making Mobile a more desirous place to live and work."
Dauphin Island Mayor Jeff Collier said, "If plenty of folks come down to go out on the charter boats to go out fishing, and the fishing again is impacted adversely, that would also translate into an adverse situation for us when it comes to tourism."
Ginny Russell Vice-President of Community and Governmental Affairs with the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce said, "On balance, the projects ability to more safely provide natural gas with few air emissions outweighs the potential impact on marine life."
David Underhill with the Mobile Bay Sierra Club said, "The applicant seeks a permit to commit 'aquacide:' perhaps not mass, indiscriminate killing of marine life like some other proposals, but reckless behavior."
Its up to the administrator of the U.S. Maritime Association to give the project thumbs up or down.
But Governor Bob Riley could stop it too, and he has until October 10 to decide.
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This is freakin great. ADCNR is putting unrealistic restrictions on the fishing here now. This damn thing is going to kill many fish and drive them away from the spawning grounds. Most serious fisherman fish in the 50 - 70 mile range south of here and they want to plant this damn thing right in the freakin middle were we fish. landlocked people dont see a problem because it doesnt impact them, they onlty see dollars at our expense. If it does get built I hope a big hurricane comes through and make it a reef.