[Our correspondent in Russia recently discovered that the border town of Vyborg near St. Petersburg was going to hold discreet (practically secret) public hearings on Gazprom’s mega-project, the Nord Stream pipeline, to discuss the social and environmental impact of the initiative. Read the first article in the series here.] If you’ve heard, does that mean you approve? – Part 2 A report from the public hearings in Vyborg on the Nord Stream pipeline construction project By Grigory Pasko, journalist The hearings were opened by the chairman of the administration, Oleg Likhovidov. He reminded that an event of such a kind is taking place already for the fourth time. Moreover, he reminded in such a tone that it seemed like what he really wanted to say was: How I wish all these formalities were over with already. Irina Vasilieva very ably – evidently for the hundredth time already – clarified for those gathered the significance of the gas pipeline for the toilers of western countries in need of Russian gas. She also mentioned the prospects for the development of the Shtokman field, and about the usefulness of the project for Russia (tax receipts). “We are striving to be the most open project”, the company’s advisor for community relations said sincerely.