Controversial LNG Terminal in Mukran, Rügen Faces Ongoing Resistance
- Opposition to LNG Facility on Rügen Island
Hey there! Let's dive into the current commotion surrounding the liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in the coastal town of Mukran, neighbouring the picturesque seaside resort of Binz on Rügen.
Despite the operational green light from the State Environmental Agency Vorpommern, the project has faced a legal challenge—a complaint has been lodged with the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig (Case No.: BVerwG 7 A 6.25). The main grievances hold that safety risks, the impact on the environment, and shipping traffic, along with noise pollution, have been insufficiently examined.
In the summer of 2024, the terminal is scheduled to go live, following its approval last April. However, residents' disheartened voices echo through the island, with some expressing dissatisfaction over the noise pollution. Deutsche ReGas, the operator, has already stationed two special ships for liquefied natural gas conversion in Mukran, connecting the gas pipeline system approximately 50 kilometers across the Baltic Sea to an injection point in Lubmin near Greifswald. To address dwindling orders, one of the chartered regasification ships has already been withdrawn.
The federal government has backed the construction of LNG import terminals along the North and Baltic Seas, intending to reduce reliance on Russian gas supplies, following the conflict in Ukraine. Floating terminals in Wilhelmshaven, Lower Saxony, Brunsbüttel, Schleswig-Holstein, and Mukran have been put into operation.
The State Office for Agriculture and the Environment in Stralsund waived an environmental impact assessment for the Rügen project, citing the terminal's significance to Germany's supply security. Critics remain skeptical, given the terminal's persistently low utilization rates.
Last year, emergency applications against the project were rejected by the Federal Administrative Court. However, protesters continue to argue for the termination of this "white elephant" project, concerning its environmental and economic senselessness, as well as associated health-related concerns. Despite Germany's energy supply only marginally benefiting from the terminal on Rügen, the debate rages on.
As for Mukran's specifics, just remember it's a coastal town, governed by the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig, located adjacent to the scenic seaside resort of Binz on Rügen. The Baltic Sea is present in the vicinity, and the area is most popularly known for its environmental concerns surrounding the LNG terminal and the heated controversy that ensues.
- Mukran
- Binz
- BVerwG
- Leipzig
- Baltic Sea
- Environment
- Germany
- Seaside resort
- Seaside resort
- German Press Agency
Extra Insights:
- The operational status of LNG terminals, including the one in Mukran, is not at full capacity, leading to questions about their necessity and economic viability. One of the chartered ships at Mukran has been withdrawn due to a lack of orders.
- General concerns about LNG terminals revolve around environmental impacts, economic concerns, and potential disturbances for the local communities, such as noise and traffic pollution risks.
- Legal disputes related to LNG terminals could arise from disagreements over environmental impact assessments, zoning regulations, or community concerns about safety and noise pollution. Disputes can also be based on conflicts between economic development and environmental or community protection measures.
- The liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Mukran, Rügen, a coastal town near the seaside resort of Binz, is currently embroiled in a legal challenge at the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig (BVerwG 7 A 6.25), owing to claims that safety risks, environmental impacts, shipping traffic, and noise pollution have been inadequately assessed.
- Despite the operational green light from the State Environmental Agency Vorpommern, the Mukran terminal's scheduled commencement in the summer of 2024 has garnered discontent from residents, particularly regarding the noise pollution issue.
- The liquefied natural gas conversion vessels stationed in Mukran, a key component of the terminal, have drawn skepticism, with one ship already being withdrawn due to dwindling orders, signaling questions about the terminal's necessity and economic viability.
