Florida LNG port closer to reality

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Oct. 27 (UPI) -- Port Dolphin Energy announced the completion of its environmental impact statement for a deepwater liquefied natural gas port off the west coast of Florida.

Port Dolphin, a subsidiary of Dutch company Hoegh LNG, said it signed a Record of Decision in its application for the port license. The company said the signing marks the end to its environmental assessment as directed by the U.S. Coast Guard.

The company said the completion paves the way for a license to develop the deepwater port. The port, located 28 miles off the coast of Tampa bay, would allow vessels to send LNG into the state pipeline system through an undersea network.

The deepwater port has a peak design capacity of 1.2 billion cubic feet per day, which will be enough to meet the gas demands of 15 percent of the Florida population.

"We believe LNG and our sophisticated technology to deliver it will provide increased energy security, especially in places like Florida where additional supplies will be needed," said Jim Butcher, chairman and chief executive officer of Port Dolphin Energy.

Florida expects gas demand to rise as the state moves toward clean energy alternatives. The LNG port is set for completion by 2013.