Ron Shems, LNG legal counsel accepts government post.

Normally I save ILQW posts for really "wild" things, but this seems the best way to get this information to those who care.

Ron Shems who has been a key legal figure in the battle against LNG in Passamaquoddy Bay, has taken on a new and exciting post. I'm sure everyone will miss him in our battles here. Congratulations Ron!

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Gov. Shumlin Taps VLS for Another Top Government Post 

February 16, 2011
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For the third time since taking office, Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin has
appointed a Vermont Law School faculty or staff member to a top post in
his administration. Ron Shems '85, consulting and supervising attorney for
the VLS Land Use Clinic, was named Monday as chairman of the Vermont
Natural Resources Board. Shumlin also recently appointed David Mears '91,
who was director of VLS's Environmental and Natural Resources Law Clinic,
as commissioner of the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation,
and Patrick Berry, who was VLS's director of Governmental Affairs and
Environmental Advancement, as commissioner of Vermont's Fish & Wildlife
Department. Read more about Shem's appointment.

Gov. Peter Shumlin appoints Shems to Natural Resources Board Feb. 14, 2011

MONTPELIER - Ronald Shems, an attorney specializing in environmental and
energy law, has been tapped to chair the Natural Resources Board. Shems is
currently a partner in the Burlington firm Shems Dunkiel Raubvogel &
Saunders.

"When I was looking for a new chair of the Natural Resources Board I was
looking for a person who has the skills, the background and the experience
to transform the board into an agency that works closely with the Agency
of Natural Resources to ensure that we can grow jobs in Vermont while
maintaining our commitment to our environmental values," Gov. Peter
Shumlin said, in announcing the appointment.

"Ron Shems is the perfect person to do this job," the Governor added. "He
can get tough things done."

Shems co-founded the law firm in 2001. Prior to that, he worked for 15
years at the Vermont Attorney General's Office, where he split his time
between special assignments managing complex constitutional and regulatory
cases, and as the Environmental Unit's senior Assistant Attorney General.

"We are excited to have Ron join the Governor's environmental team," said
Agency of Natural Resources Secretary Deb Markowitz. "We look forward to
working closely with Ron and the staff at the Natural Resources Board to
keep Vermont a great place to live, work and start a business."

The Natural Resources Board is a nine-member group that is divided into
two panels, the Land Use Panel and the Water Resources Panel. The Land Use
Panel oversees the activities of the District Environmental Commissions,
provides administrative support and enforcement of Act 250 permits, and
conducts rulemaking related to the Act 250 program. The Water Resources
Panel is responsible for the management and protection of Vermont's water
resources, including significant wetlands.

Shems received a BA from Clark University in 1981, and a JD and Masters in
Environmental Law in 1985 from Vermont Law School.

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Premier Shawn Graham restates NB's position on LNG in the Bay of Fundy's Head Harbour Passage

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Cobscook Bay, Head Harbour Passage, and West Isles - Tim Foulkes Photo

Canada Controls Head Harbour Passage.
http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/opinion/article/805900
Premier Shawn Graham
Commentary

I am writing to clearly restate the Province's position with respect to the proposed Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminals in Passamaquoddy Bay.

The province's position remains unequivocal: we oppose the proposed locating of an LNG terminal in Passamaquoddy Bay because of its impacts on New Brunswick.

Our environment would be negatively affected, the tourism and environment-based economy of the region would suffer, and the safety and security of the region could be compromised.

There are more than 6,000 New Brunswickers who live along the LNG vessel transit route, some within 800-1,000 meters. As Premier of New Brunswick, I have a sovereign and legal duty to ensure that the interests and concerns of our residents are taken into account and defended by all appropriate means as these projects move through all regulatory processes.
The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is one such process.

We remain fully engaged as an intervener at FERC in order to ensure that the Commission and its staff are fully apprised of New Brunswick's position and the negative impacts that would accompany the proposed facilities in Passamaquoddy Bay.

As an intervener in this process, New Brunswick has a forum to submit evidence to the Commission emphasizing these impacts.

In preparing our recent extensive submission to FERC, we assembled detailed information from 10 different government departments which, taken together, present a powerful picture of how New Brunswick would be adversely affected by LNG facilities being located in Passamaquoddy Bay.

However, our submission to FERC does not mean that we recognize that agency's authority over these New Brunswick issues.

This fact was clearly stated in our recent letter to FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff which accompanied our submission. "[T]he impacts and issues identified in this report fall squarely upon New Brunswick and are within the jurisdiction of my province to review, analyze and address. It is not within the scope of the Commission's authority to address and/or propose mitigation for these impacts and issues... We will be the sole and final decision-makers in assessing how to best protect our people, economy and environment."

Furthermore, as it has also been clearly stated in the past, the Province of New Brunswick does not recognize any authority of FERC over Canadian waterways and FERC itself has recognized its limitations in this regard.

Decisions on where ships are allowed to transit fall within the jurisdiction of the Government of Canada alone.

Canada's current and historical position is also clear: LNG tankers would not be permitted to navigate the Canadian waters of Head Harbour Passage.

The recent conference of the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers held in Saint John was an excellent example of regional neighbours working together for the common good.

While our strong relationship with Maine should not be interpreted as support for LNG terminals in Passamaquoddy Bay, we will continue to cooperate on energy projects in the Northeast which will benefit citizens of both jurisdictions.

Premier Shawn Graham represents the riding of Kent.

Comments (1)

Excellent. Together with the recent statement from Ottawa by Greg Thompson and the continued stance of local politicians at St. Andrews and elsewhere around our Quoddy Region, this solidifies the position that has been in place for two years or so.

Congratulations, this was really needed at this time as Maine and US politicians make their position clear to THEIR constituents and the broader public. Unfortunately, their public pronouncements have contained incorrect statements that have created the wrong impression. To reiterate the Canadian stand at this point was vital.

I agree, when we work together we all win ... provided we stop the bullying and ALL treat the needs of our partners with respect and understanding. This has not been true during the course of this LNG debate. Hopefully things will change and we can, together, recognize the real value of Head Harbour Passage, West Isles and Cobscook Bay; an international treasure as seen at ilovequoddywild.blogspot.com

Art MacKay

Bay of Fundy "Sail-a-bration" becomes a Quoddy Tradition

See the pictures and subscribe at
http://ilovequoddywild.blogspot.com

A few years ago, a group of folks who truly love and are concerned about the Quoddy Region started this annual spectale to show the world how much they love this place.

Well, they had so much fun that they are now doing it every year. Here's the information for this year from Lesley Pinder. Thanks Lesley.

Meet (in your boat of course) at 2 PM Canadian time on Sunday, July 5th at the Campobello Lighthouse (East Quoddy Light).....leave to cruise the Passage at about 2:30....All boats of all sorts wanted...to celebrate The Bay.

If you don't have a boat, you can get a great view from the lighthouse. Art

Photo credit: Joyce Morrell