NEWS:Get the latest buzz right here or in your inbox.

admin — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 21:56:18 +0000

We’ve got the very latest news from around the world and you can get it at www.bayoffundy.ca/buzz or subscribe and get it all in your inbox everyday..

Image by paulamarttila via Flickr

We’ve been working with Paper.Li to produce a series of online newsmagazines on a variety of interesting topics ranging from aquaculture to yardsales. You can now read these magazines right here on bayoffundy.ca. Just roll over “THE BUZZ” in the top menu and take your pick! Or subscribe and get the daily summary in your email. In either event, you will learn what people are saying about your favourite topic right now … around the globe.

AQUACULTURE: Genetically engineered salmon facing fierce opposition

admin — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 17:32:08 +0000

By Adrianne Appel, FEBRUARY 20, 2012

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AQUABOUNTY TECHNOLOGIES

Genetically engineered AquAdvantage salmon eggs are developed in Canada; the fish are raised in Panama.

AquaBounty Technologies, a Waltham company that has created a genetically engineered Atlantic salmon, is treading water while it waits for the Food and Drug Administration to decide whether it can sell its fast-growing fish to the public.

The already lengthy federal approval process has grown longer and more complicated in the face of strong opposition to the AquAdvantage salmon, the nation’s first genetically engineered food fish, by environmental groups, consumer advocates, and some lawmakers.

But these efforts are shortsighted, said the company’s president and chief executive, Ronald L. Stotish

“If anti-[genetically engineered] food activists succeed, the unintended consequence is that we will still one day be eating [genetically engineered] animal food – it will be produced elsewhere,’’ he said in a statement.

AquaBounty is also facing the challenge of shaky finances.

On Jan. 27, it told stockholders it would sell more shares and cut its operating expenses by 30 percent, so it could continue operating into June.

The company said it would reduce operating costs by “restructuring the organization.’’

The company declined to comment on whether the cutbacks include layoffs at its Waltham office or its laboratory on Prince Edward Island, Canada, where it develops genetically engineered salmon eggs. The eggs are then shipped to Panama, where the fish are raised. Raising the fish in the United States, something AquaBounty wants to do, would require a review by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency to determine whether it posed any threat to wild Atlantic salmon, an endangered species.

AquaBounty’s fiscal struggles are not unusual for a biotechnology start-up awaiting federal approval, said H. David Sherman, professor of accounting at Northeastern University. Many young companies have a similar profile, he said.

“Their financial statements often look the same,’’ Sherman said.

As of June 30, AquaBounty had $3.8 million in cash and marketable securities and a net loss of $2.8 million, according to a Sept. 30 interim financial report, the latest available.

More than $60 million has been invested in AquaBounty since it was launched in 1991, and that amount includes support from the United States and Canadian governments. In 2011, it received $494,162 from the USDA’s National institute of Food and Agriculture.

The company’s fish grows twice as fast as an Atlantic salmon. It is the product of combining genes from two other fish, the Chinook salmon and the ocean pout, an eel-like fish. The Chinook salmon gene stimulates the body to make growth hormone, while the ocean pout gene sequence, called a promoter, keeps the growth gene working constantly. The result is a very large salmon in half the time.

An AquaBounty salmon weighs an average of 13.3 pounds, according to the company, while a nonengineered salmon would weigh about 5.5 pounds.

Two years ago, the FDA declared the AquAdvantage fish safe to eat and the company predicted it would soon receive FDA approval to begin production.

But how the fish would be labeled and what environmental impact it might have must be determined before the agency can decide whether the fish can be sold, said FDA spokeswoman Siobhan DeLancey. The FDA has no deadline.

On Feb. 7, the Center for Food Safety and two other consumer advocacy groups petitioned the FDA to begin a new safety review. That set in motion a process that requires the FDA to respond to the request before it makes any decision about approving the fish.

“Given the data we have seen thus far, this fish is not suitable for people to eat and could well be dangerous to the environment,’’ said Jaydee Hanson, senior policy analyst at the Center for Food Safety.

When the FDA did a safety review two years ago, it did so as if the fish were a new animal drug, with the review for safety conducted by the FDA’s Veterinary Medicine Advisory Committee.

Instead, the fish should be reviewed as a food additive, which offers a more rigorous and transparent process, the consumer groups say.

“By conducting the review as a new animal drug there are whole levels of secrecy,’’ Hanson said.

But Stotish said the FDA already concluded the AquAdvantage salmon is identical to other salmon, and there is no need for more review.

“This petition is nothing more than a ‘hail Mary’ pass to further delay and undermine the approval of any [genetically modified] animal food,’’ Stotish said in a statement. “Their goal is not public protection, but the death of this technology in the United States.’’

Environmental groups, including Earthjustice and the Sierra Club, also urge the FDA to halt the approval process and conduct a thorough environmental review, citing concerns about salmon escaping and carrying diseases to or breeding with wild Atlantic salmon.

AquaBounty has said the breeding issue is not a threat because about 98 percent of its fish, which are all female, are sterile.

Some federal lawmakers, too, are lining up against AquAdvantage. Bills are pending in the Senate and House to halt its approval and to require special labeling if it is marketed.

But not in Massachusetts. When eight senators, led by Mark Begich of Alaska, wrote to FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg in July to halt the approval process, Bay State lawmakers jumped in. Representatives Edward Markey, Barney Frank, and James P. McGovern, wrote on Aug. 17, urging that the commissioner allow the process to continue unchanged.

“We believe that fair consideration should be given to this new technology and encourage you to proceed with the science-based evaluation and review of AquaBounty’s application,’’ the letter said.

Begich plans to push legislation to address what he views as a threat to the Alaskan salmon industry, his spokesman said.

More at: http://bostonglobe.com/business/2012/02/20/aquabounty-waltham-company-that-has-produced-engineered-salmon-faces-opposition-and-financial-problems/ZWolcVQ2lKYikdgfkm8m3L/story.html

Frankenfish 2: Attack of the Genetically Engineered Salmon (foodservicewarehouse.com)
Being Able to Choose What One Is Willing to Eat (nvrdc.wordpress.com)
Consumer groups want tougher probe of engineered salmon (junkscience.com)
Genetically Modified Nature: GM Salmon Under Attack By Concerned Experts (haroonhaider.com)

HISTORY: Missed the Rum Running features on Land & Sea … Ehhh? Here’s the link.

admin — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 23:17:30 +0000

Well I got pulled away half-way through this interesting features. But fortunately, it’s now up on the CBC website. You can view it at the following link:

http://www.cbc.ca/landandsea/2012/02/rum-runners.html

LNG: Developer says Passamaquoddy Bay is an empty 10-lane highway and he’s going to fill it!

admin — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 18:32:00 +0000

As uncharacteristic as it may seem, I actually got it wrong when I told the story about the LNG developer who referred to Passamaquoddy Bay as an empty 6 lane highway. Joyce Merrill has set the record straight!!

Joyce writes: Actually, it was Hubert Bereman, VP., Quoddy Bay LNG, that said the famous quote. It was to me and he said that Head Harbour Passage ” was a ten lane highway with nobody on it” I could have strangled him at the time. J.

Thanks Joyce

TOURISM: Bay of Fundy is more than some strange rocks and lots of mud

admin — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 10:34:20 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

Well, the Bay of Fundy didn’t win one of the seven coveted spots in the Seven Natural Wonders of the World contest, but it was one of the final 28 magnificent places around the world AND the only one from Canada.

Perhaps the problem was that we didn’t really push some of the more spectacular assets of the Bay but, instead, led the world to believe that this place with the highest tides on the globe, was really composed of nothing more than strange-looking rocks and lots and lots of mud. Now this is far from the truth of course and hopefully this new Bay of Fundy website will help broaden our collective view of this magnificent place … something beyond the simplistic icons of our tourism spin doctors.

Exotic New Brunswick: The big trip (life.nationalpost.com)
New Brunswick’s Fundy Coast: Unfound Gem (abcnews.go.com)
Bay of Fundy doesn’t make 7 Wonders list (cbc.ca)
Bay of Fundy Spring Tide in Halls Harbour (bayoffundytides.wordpress.com)

BIRDS: Painted Bunting on Grand Manan

admin — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 10:14:00 +0000

This post is from February, 2009. Any strange and beautiful birds being seen this year around the Bay of Fundy? Send your pic and report.

******************
There has been a Painted Bunting on GM (Grand Manan)…am not sure if still there…it has had lots of visitors from the mainland. Also, on several days there have been a couple of boats and zodiacs with about 6 people in duck drag (camouflage ) out to get the eiders…..has been
going on for several weeks. Lesley

Photo from Wikipedia.com

HISTORY: Rum Running documentary is on tomorrow at noon.

admin — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 00:02:50 +0000

Rum Running will celebrate its world broadcast premiere on CBC Television’s Land & Sea on Sunday, February 19, 2012 at 12 Noon. Following the broadcast, the documentary can be watched on the CBC TV website at: www.cbc.ca/landandsea.

EVENTS: Great Stuff Happening in Charlotte County

admin — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 19:17:45 +0000

Come On Out Folks!!

Sunday February 26th

Tickets at Cockburn’s and Sunbury Shores

and then………

Friday February 24th and Saturday February 25th

**************************
Executive Director
Sunbury Shores Arts and Nature Centre
139 Water Street
St. Andrews, NB E5B 1A7
506-529-3386
www.sunburyshores.org | director@sunburyshores.org

LNG: Save Passamaquoddy Bay USA claims Calais LNG continues to “Yank FERC’s chain” in petition to dismiss application.

admin — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 19:11:04 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

Save Passamaquoddy Bay

A 3-Nation Alliance (US • Passamaquoddy • Canada)
PO Box 222 • Eastport, ME 04631 •
(207)853-2922
info@SavePassamaquoddyBay.org
www.SavePassamaquoddyBay.org

Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street, NE Room 1A
Washington, DC 20426

eFiled on 2012 February 17

Re: Calais LNG, Docket Nos. CP10-31-000 and CP10-32-000

Dear Ms. Bose,

On 2012 February 15 Calais LNG filed to the docket claiming to be in negotiations for financing, and that completion of those negotiations — estimated to be completed by 2012 August — is required to re-establish property rights for the site necessary to theproject.

Calais LNG has been without financial capacity for 19 months (since 2010 July) and without interest in the required property for 17 months (since 2010 September) — and according to Calais LNGʼs latest filing, will continue without either one for at least another six months. Even if Calais LNGʼs projection were to prove true, and if FERCwere to allow Calais LNG to remain in permitting, then Calais LNG would have continuously been without financial capacity for 25 months, and without TRI for 23 months. All the while, Calais LNG would have remained ineligible for permitting.

Calais LNG continues to “yank FERCʼs chain” in lieu of permitting compliance. Based on past performance, Calais LNGʼs latest “projection” for compliance should be disregarded as incredulous.

Calais LNGʼs history of noncompliance with state and federal permitting requirements and deadlines is manifested in endless, unfulfilled promises. Simply refer to Calais LNGʼs permitting history:

2010 Jul 13 — Calais LNG wrote at the last minute to the Maine Board of Environmental Protection (BEP) requesting postponement of thescheduled July 19–23 BEP quasi-judicial permit hearing. In seeking postponement, Calais LNG claimed that it could not meet long-standing information requests. (As discovered later, Calais LNG had actually lost its financial capacity to continue in the permitting process.)

2010 Jul 14 — Referring to Calais LNGʼs July 13 request to delay the BEP permitting hearing, BEP chairperson Susan Lessard upbraided Calais LNG for causing “considerable cost in time and resources tothe Board and other parties,” but reluctantly postponed the hearing, nonetheless. (See 2010-07-14_BEP2CLNG.pdf)

2010 Jul 21 — Calais LNG announced that it had early in the month lost financial backer GS Power Holdings. (Financial capacity is a requirement forState of Maine permitting.)

2010Aug 9 — Calais LNG requested from the BEP an extension beyond the previous deadline of August 11 to reestablish financial capacity.(See 2010-08-12_BEP2CLNG.pdf)

2010 Aug 12 — Calais LNG indicated to the BEP it would withdraw from permitting if it could not obtain a replacement investor by 2010 September 11.

Calais LNG asked the State of Maine to pay for the natural gas pipeline required to send Calais LNGʼs natural gas to Boston.

Maine BEP granted Calais LNG a permitting extension for an undefined limited period.

2010 Aug 31 — Calais LNG failed to renew its option to purchase its proposed terminal site property.

2010 Sep 1 — As a result of not renewing its option to purchase by August 31,Calais LNG lost title, right, or interest (TRI) in its proposed terminal site property, but withheld that loss from the BEP and FERC.

2010 Sep 11 — Calais LNG failed to withdraw from Maine permitting, even though, on 2010 August 12, it promised to do so if it had not acquired financial capacity by 2010 September 11.

2010 Sep 13 — Calais LNGʼs attorney wrote to the BEP indicating that it had not acquired financial capacity, stating “it is not now possible to predict precisely when the discussions might be concluded such that a new financial partner can be identified.” Calais LNG then requested an additional 30 days to complete securing financial capacity. Further, Calais LNG requested postponement of the scheduled September 15 BEP conference of council until the week of 2010 October 11; but, promised to supply the BEP with a status update on 2010September 30 or sooner if financial negotiations were to becompleted prior to that date. (See 2010-09-13_CLNG2BEP.pdf)

2010 Sep 15 — At a scheduled BEP procedural conference on this date, Calais LNG failed to inform the BEP that the applicant had lost the TRI required for state permitting.

2010 Sep 30 — Calais LNG failed to update the BEP with the projectʼs financial status, as it had promised on 2010 September 13 to do by September 30.

2010 Nov 17 — Owners of the land required for the Calais LNG terminal site informed the BEP that Calais LNG no longer held TRI in the land. (See 2010-11-17_Carothers_TRI.pdf)

2010 Nov 23 — Calais LNGʼs attorney wrote to the BEP requesting another permitting continuance, and finally admitted the loss of TRI.

Calais LNGʼs lawyer then argued that it was “transitioning the project to a new financial partner,” and claimed that TRI negotiations with the land owner were “ongoing. He further claimed that once the management transition occurred — “and project funding is in place” — Calais LNG would secure TRI in the required property. (As of 2012 February 17, neither financial capacity nor TRI have been reestablished by Calais LNG.)

The companyʼs attorney wrote that if the BEP were to recommence permitting, it would be appropriate for the BEP to summarily dismiss Calais LNGʼs applications for lack of TRI and financial capacity. (See 2010-11-23_CLNG2BEP.pdf)

2010 Dec 1 — BEP deadline for Calais LNG to obtain financing was not met.

2010 Dec 2 — Calais LNG wrote to the BEP, claiming that “new management,” North East Energy Development, LLC (NEED), had bought out the financial interests of GS Power Holdings. In truth, NEED is the original managing partnership between Calais LNG principals Ian Emery and Arthur Gelber in the Calais LNG startup venture, not “new management.” Calais LNG indicated to the BEP that it anticipated being able to reestablish TRI by 2011 January 15.Calais LNG ultimately failed to do so. (See 2010-12-02_CLNG2BEP.pdf)

2010 Dec 3 — FERC demanded that Calais LNG provide a schedule by December 13 regarding when Calais LNG would secure TRI and financial capacity.

2010 Dec 13 — Calais LNG failed to comply with FERCʼs deadline to supply as chedule for reestablishing TRI and financial capacity.

2010 Dec 14 — For lack of TRI and financial capacity, Calais LNG was forced to withdraw from Maine permitting. Had it not withdrawn, its applications would have been dismissed by the BEP. (See 2010-12-14_CLNG_withdrawal_BEP_1.pdf and 2010-12-14_CLNG_withdrawal_BEP_2.pdf)

2010 Dec 16 — BEP accepted Calais LNGʼs withdrawal from state permitting. (See 2010-12-16_BEP_accepted_withdrawal.pdf)

2010 Dec 17 — Calais LNG filed to the FERC docket in response to FERCʼs December 3 letter for a schedule to secure TRI and financing. Calais LNG admitted lack of TRI and financial capacity, claiming to have made “substantial progress in attracting investment and [had] commenced negotiations with the project site landowner toward a new arrangement,” and asked to remain in the permitting process; however, Calais LNG did not comply with FERCʼs request to supply a schedule for reestablishing TRI and financial capacity. As of 2012 February 17, no actual evidence exists that (1) negotiations have occurred with the project site landowner, or that (2) Calais LNG has negotiated with anyone regarding financial backing. (See 2010-12-17-CLNG2FERC.pdf)

Save Passamaquoddy Bay filed to the FERC docket, alerting FERC to Calais LNGʼs failure to respond to FERCʼs December 13 deadline to supply a schedule for reestablishing TRI and financial capacity. (See 2010-12-17_SPB_comment2FERC.pdf)

2011 Jan 15 — Calais LNG failed to reestablish TRI by this date as it had indicatedon 2010 December 2 that it would do.

2011 Jul 13 — Sometime before this date, Calais LNG vacated its offices in downtown Calais, Maine.

Calais LNG originally chose to withhold information from the State of Maine and FERC that is critical to its standing in the permitting process of both, and has used a barrage of baseless, unfulfilled promises to linger in the permitting process.

Calais LNGʼs latest filing continues its modus operandi — repeatedly skirting the financial capacity and TRI issue with baseless, nebulous excuses while attempting to continue its endless failure to actually qualify for permitting.

In summary:

Calais LNG has no financial capacity.
Calais LNG has no project site.
Calais LNG has no standing in the FERC permitting process.
Calais LNG has no local presence other than a phone number.
Calais LNG lost its Goldman Sachs (via GS Power Holdings) investor after having spent $25 million, making it unrealistic that another investor would ever take on this project.
Calais LNG has insurmountable barriers due to its proposed location.
Calais LNG misled and lied during the State of Maine proceedings. The applicant has no credibility.
The US has a decades-long domestic supply of natural gas, as indicated by US natural gas industry players, mooting any need for Calais LNGʼs imports.
Calais LNG is gaming the FERC system in the same way it gamed the Maine system, to the detriment of involved agencies and the public.

Considering Calais LNGʼs ongoing — and latest 17-to-projected-25 months or longer — lack of credibility and standing, Save Passamaquoddy Bay again asks FERC to finally dismiss Calais LNG without prejudice from permitting.

Very truly,

Robert Godfrey
Researcher & Webmaster

Attachments:

2010-07-14_BEP2CLNG.pdf — BEP upbraids Calais LNG for requesting hearing postponement.
2010-08-12_BEP2CLNG.pdf — BEP grants a limited-time extension for Calais LNG to obtain new financing.
2010-09-13_CLNG2BEP.pdf — Calais LNG claims to have two interested investors, requesting another 30-day extension.
2010-11-17_Carothers_TRI.pdf — Property owners notify BEP that Calais LNG has no title, right, or interest in the property.
2010-11-23_CLNG2BEP.pdf — Calais LNG falsely claims to be in active negotiations with landowners, admits applications could be summarily dismissed.
2010-12-02_CLNG2BEP.pdf — Calais LNG claims project is under new management, claims TRI will be established by 2011 Feb 15.
2010-12-14_CLNG_withdrawal_BEP_1.pdf — Calais LNG falsely blames the national economy for having to withdraw from state permitting.
2010-12-16_BEP_accepted_withdrawal.pdf — BEP accepts Calais LNGʼs withdrawal from permitting.
2010-12-17_CLNG2FERC.pdf — Calais LNG falsely claims to have made progress in attracting investment and to be in negotiations with landowner.
2010-12-17_SPB_comment2FERC.pdf — Save Passamaquoddy Bay request that FERC dismiss Calais LNG for lack of standing.

CC: Sen. Olympia Snowe
Sen. Susan Collins Rep.
Mike Michaud
Rebecca Boucher, Esq.
FERC Calais LNG Service List

TIDAL ENERGY: NS Power gives up berth at tidal energy test site in the Bay of Fundy

admin — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 16:24:16 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

February 17, 2012 – 8:20pm BY BRETT BUNDALE BUSINESS REPORTER

Nova Scotia Power has given up its underwater spot at a tidal energy test site in the Bay of Fundy.

A spokeswoman for parent company Emera said Friday the utility gave up its berth in the Minas Passage area west of Parrsboro.

“Nova Scotia Power has given up the berth as we figure out our next step,” Sasha Irving said in an interview, noting that the decision to release the berth holder agreement was reached at the end of last year.

“We’ve already gone in the water and come back out. We’re still looking at the data from that and figuring out what our next steps might be.”

The utility had one of four berths at a tidal turbine demonstration facility run by the not-for-profit corporation Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy.

“Because Nova Scotia Power got in the water first in the Bay and then recovered the turbine, we are at a different point in time with our research and development of than perhaps some others are,” Irving said.

She added that the utility remains committed to the research site, pointing to a 138 kilovolt overhead transmission line Nova Scotia Power is building to connect the facility’s substation to the existing Parrsboro substation.

But the decision raises questions about where the utility would test a bigger turbine Irish company OpenHydro has developed.

Nova Scotia Power’s first test turbine, a $10-million device from OpenHydro, was only in the water for a few weeks in 2009 because its blades snapped.

Chris Huskilson, chief executive officer of Emera, said last month the utility may have a tidal turbine back in the water this year but it’s more likely to be early 2013.

He said Nova Scotia Power is back at the drawing board exploring various technologies for the Bay of Fundy.

OpenHydro has developed a 16-metre turbine, which may be more suitable for the test site than the 10-metre device deployed two years ago, Huskilson said.

However, where the utility would test the bigger turbine is now up in the air.

Besides testing a larger turbine, Nova Scotia Power is also interested in trying out an open-prop design — similar to a windmill — as well as an enclosed fan, he said.

OpenHydro’s technology uses an enclosed fan.

“From both an Emera and Nova Scotia Power perspective we remain very committed to tidal,” Irving noted. “We’re just analyzing what our next steps may be…but we are absolutely committed to tidal in the province of Nova Scotia.”

French company Alstom and partner Clean Current of Vancouver plan to put their test turbine in the water by the middle of this year.

Minas Basin Pulp and Power of Hantsport and partner Marine Current Turbines of Bristol, England, plan to follow suit in 2013. United Kingdom-based Atlantis Resources and partners Lockheed Martin Canada and Irving Shipbuilding of Halifax are also slated to test a turbine that year.

(bbundale@herald.ca)

via NSP gives up berth at tidal energy test site | The Chronicle Herald.

Nova Scotia Power lays off 40 workers (cbc.ca)
ENERGY: Bay of Fundy Tidal Energy at Annapolis Royal (bayoffundy.ca)

NEWS:Get the latest buzz right here or in your inbox.

AQUACULTURE: Genetically engineered salmon facing fierce opposition

HISTORY: Missed the Rum Running features on Land & Sea … Ehhh? Here’s the link.

LNG: Developer says Passamaquoddy Bay is an empty 10-lane highway and he’s going to fill it!

TOURISM: Bay of Fundy is more than some strange rocks and lots of mud

Related articles

BIRDS: Painted Bunting on Grand Manan

HISTORY: Rum Running documentary is on tomorrow at noon.

EVENTS: Great Stuff Happening in Charlotte County

LNG: Save Passamaquoddy Bay USA claims Calais LNG continues to “Yank FERC’s chain” in petition to dismiss application.

Save Passamaquoddy Bay

TIDAL ENERGY: NS Power gives up berth at tidal energy test site in the Bay of Fundy

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