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Approval procedure — Energy — environment — environmental foundation — Gas — German Federal States — Germany — Liquefied natural gas — Mecklenburg-Vorpommern — Mukran — Objection — Wwf

WWF also raises objection to Rügen LNG terminal

WWF also raises objection to Rügen LNG terminal

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WWF also raises objection to Rügen LNG terminal
WWF also raises objection to Rügen LNG terminal

Critics Sound Alarm over Rügen LNG Terminal Approval

In the ongoing debate surrounding the proposed Rügen terminal for liquefied natural gas (LNG), the environmental organization WWF has joined the chorus of concerns. Finn Viehberg, Head of the WWF Baltic Sea Office, voiced criticism on Tuesday, claiming that the performance of the Mukran site is being overestimated, while the potential environmental damage is being underestimated by experts.

In its objection to the responsible authority, the WWF highlights several issues. Among them, they warn of the air pollution caused by nitrogen oxides, which could also impact water quality. Furthermore, Viehberg points out that the low-frequency humming of the turbines could result in noise pollution affecting birds in protected areas.

Criticizing the lack of cross-border environmental impact assessment, Viehberg stated that Germany is knowingly violating its obligations. This assessment, which has not been conducted alongside neighboring countries for the associated connection pipeline, is not the subject of the ongoing proceedings.

Prior to this, Germany's environmental cooperative, Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH), had also announced a formal objection as part of the approval procedure for the stationing and operation of floating LNG terminals in Mukran.

  • Environmental organization Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) has also submitted objections to the approval process for floating LNG terminals at Mukran.
  • The concerns voiced by WWF include potential environmental harm caused by nitrogen oxides, which could impact both air and water quality.
  • WWF argues that Germany has failed to conduct cross-border environmental impact assessments for the associated connection pipeline, which is not part of the ongoing proceedings.
  • The gas industries in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern eagerly await the government's approval for their liquefied natural gas projects, despite opposition from environmental groups like WWF and DUH.
  • The environmental concerns raised by WWF and DUH underline the importance of balancing energy needs with environmental considerations, highlighting the potential environmental impact of the Rügen LNG terminal and the associated pipeline.

Sources:

Enrichment Insights:

  1. Environmental Impact: The environmental impact of the Rügen LNG terminal and pipeline may include potential pollution, disruption of marine ecosystems, and increased noise pollution from the operations.
  2. Local Opposition: The project has faced local opposition, which groups like WWF might have supported, due to concerns about the terminal's impact on the local community, including potential health risks and aesthetic changes to the area.
  3. Regulatory Compliance: WWF might have questioned whether the terminal and pipeline operations comply with all necessary environmental regulations and permits.
  4. Alternative Solutions: WWF could advocate for alternative solutions to reduce Germany's reliance on LNG, such as increasing the use of renewable energy sources or improving energy efficiency. They might argue that investing in LNG terminals diverts resources from more sustainable energy solutions.
  5. Unequal Competition: WWF could also argue that the state subsidies given to Deutsche Energy Terminal (DET) might create an unfair market environment for private companies like Deutsche ReGas, potentially leading to higher costs and less efficient operations.

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