Page 13 - GLNG Week 06 2023

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Trade union files legal complaint

against Italian LNG project

ITALY ITALIAN trade union USB has filed a legal com- filed a legal challenge against the LNG pro-
plaint against plans by gas grid operator Snam to ject, citing safety and environmental risks and
USB cites construct an LNG terminal in the Tuscan port of the impact on local businesses. That challenge
“environmental crimes.” Piombino, it said last week, citing serious “envi- included a “precautionary request” to suspend
ronmental crimes.” construction work. But in December, an Italian
USB accused Snam of committing these administrative court ruled against the request to
crimes while performing construction work. It pause work, and it scheduled a new hearing on
criticised the decision to position the terminal in the matter on March 8 to consider longer-term
an area that had already been polluted by an old safety issues.
steel plant, stating that regasification processes Oil and gas projects have long faced excessive
would further increase pollution and cause “seri- red tape and legal challenges in Italy because of
ous and irreparable injuries.” their perceived impact on the environment. But
Snam has not commented on the filing. against the backdrop of Europe’s worst energy
Italy’s government instructed Snam to pur- crisis in living memory, the government is look-
chase the terminal as part of a push to strengthen ing to fast-track a raft of new LNG projects.
the country’s energy security by expanding LNG FSRUs have been given preference over onshore
import capacity to replace Russian pipeline sup- terminals, as they can be deployed more quickly,
plies. The floating storage and regasification with the vessels sometimes being converted
unit (FSRU) is due to be up and running in April from LNG carriers.
under the government’s plan. It is set to receive The head of Italian energy giant Eni said in
supplies from several African countries. November that the country would ideally need
USB said its legal complaint was filed at the four new LNG terminals, adding to its three
Livorno prosecutor’s office. In November last existing ones which have a combined capacity of
year, the Piombino city administration also 17bn cubic metres per year. ™

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