There’s been a flurry of news reports lately about a new gas pipeline project that is meant to bring gas from Russia to Europe across the Baltic Sea. Nord Stream 2 is touted by Gazprom – which is majority owned by the Russian government – as “a direct link between Gazprom and the [sic] European consumers.” Gazprom also claims: “It will also ensure a highly reliable supply of Russian gas to Europe.” The pipeline’s 1,200-kilometer route will take it from Ust-Luga in the Leningrad region of Russia to Greifswald in Germany; plans are for the pipeline to be completed by next year. Germany and Finland have already green-lighted the construction of the pipeline, and permits are expected to be issued soon by Sweden and Denmark, which also are affected by its under sea route.