  Nord Stream gas pipeline raises bank funds  Nord Stream The
Nord Stream consortium is already laying pipelines in the Baltic
Sea  The consortium behind the planned Nord Stream gas pipeline
from Russia to Europe has sealed a 3.9bn euro ($5.4bn; £3.5bn)
funding deal from 26 banks.  The deal marks a milestone in
development of the 1,220km (756-mile) pipeline, due for
completion in 2012.  Russia's gas giant Gazprom has the biggest
stake in the controversial venture, which environmentalists say
will increase pollution in the Baltic.  Supporters say the
project will secure energy supplies from gas-rich Russia.  The
finance raised from the bank syndicate and consortium partners
paves the way for completion of the first phase of the pipeline,
which is expected to cost of 7.4bn euros.  Gazprom owns 51% of
Nord Stream. Germany's BASF-Wintershall and E.On Ruhrgas each
hold 20%, and Gasunie of the Netherlands has 9%.  The plan is to
pump 55bn cubic metres of gas annually to Germany and other EU
countries through the pi