Updated July 21/09
The Canadian ambassador to the United States Michael Wilson has told U-S regulators that Canada won't let ships have access to a liquefied natural gas terminal on Passamaquoddy Bay. Downeast L-N-G is building the plant in Robbinston, Maine. However, for ships to get there, they'll need to sail through Head Harbour Passage between Campobello and Deer Island's _ waters which Canada controls. Wilson says Canada maintains the right to control and regulate their use. Canada's opposition to the project is based on concerns about safety and the damage massive L-N-G tankers might cause to the local environment.
However Dean Girdis, president of Downeast L-N-G, says he's aware of the Canadian government's position but the project will go ahead regardless. He says they have legal analysis that says U-S ships have a right of passage. He also suggests Ottawa and the Province are working to protect Canadian interests.
