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For Immediate Release
March 20, 2008 |
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CONNECTICUT DELEGATION
CONDEMNS APPROVAL OF BROADWATER PROPOSAL
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe
Lieberman (ID-CT) and Representatives John Larson (CT-1),
Joe Courtney (CT-2), Rosa DeLauro (CT-3), Christopher Shays
(CT-4), and Chris Murphy (CT-5), today declared their strong
disapproval of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s
(FERC) approval of the proposed Broadwater Liquefied Natural
Gas (LNG) Storage and Regasification Facility in Long Island
Sound.
The proposed LNG facility is roughly the size of the Queen
Mary II and will draw regular traffic of full LNG tanker ships
through the relatively narrow mouth of the Sound and within
a few miles of Connecticut’s shore along the entire
eastern half of the state. The Connecticut delegation has
previously voiced their objections about the proposed facility
in letters to Joseph Kelliher, Chairman of the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, and Admiral Thad Allan of the U.S.
Coast Guard, which is responsible for the security of offshore
energy facilities.
“I could not be more outraged by today’s decision
by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,” said Senator
Dodd. “This project could seriously harm the long-term
health and vitality of Long Island Sound, and I am gravely
concerned that approving the construction of this large industrial
facility in water considered a public trust sets a dangerous
precedent. The Sound is a treasure shared by the people of
Connecticut and New York, and Broadwater jeopardizes the billions
of dollars already invested in restoring the Sound’s
fragile ecosystems. As both a representative and resident
of the State of the Connecticut, I am strongly opposed to
the construction of Broadwater and urge the state officials
in New York currently reviewing the Broadwater proposal to
block this misguided project from going forward.”
“I am greatly disappointed in the decision rendered
today by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that would
allow for the sitting of the Broadwater LNG terminal in the
Sound,” Lieberman said. “I remain alarmed by the
litany of safety and security measures that would have to
be implemented in order for the facility to operate. I have
spent most of my life fighting for the restoration and protection
of Long Island Sound, and I remain hopeful that after a careful
review of Broadwater’s application, the State of New
York will act to stop this project and protect our shared
natural treasure.”
Congressman John B. Larson said, “The State of Connecticut
has worked so hard to restore the Long Island Sound to its
natural glory. It is upsetting that regulators would decide
to take this step backwards. It is important that we balance
our energy needs with the need to preserve our natural surroundings.
And today we lost that balance. We join with delegation to
express our condemnation of the decision.”
“The FERC decision is just plain wrong because the
quarter-mile long barge is not appropriate for the Long Island
Sound and will not reduce the costs of fuel for Connecticut’s
families. The FERC decision represents little more than a
rubber-stamp of the Broadwater application despite the many
safety concerns raised,” stated Representative Courtney.
“I urge the State of New York to exercise its right
to reject this proposal as the risks of this ill-conceived
project outweigh any of the benefits.”
“While the FERC decision to give final approval to
the Broadwater LNG proposal is irresponsible, but not altogether
surprising. However, this decision to approve the Broadwater
facility could only have been made by ignoring the details,”
stated DeLauro. “Serious issues that have yet to be
adequately addressed remain, including the consideration of
alternatives and, perhaps most importantly, the precedent
this project sets and the further industrialization of the
Long Island Sound. Additionally, the General Accountability
Office recently issued a report stating that the U.S. Coast
Guard lacks the resources it needs to implement their own
mitigation measures – providing further evidence that
the Broadwater liquefied natural gas terminal puts our community
and our natural resources at risk. Given these challenges,
FERC’s approval fails their obligation to the public
interest.”
Representative Shays said, “I do not support the placement
of an LNG facility in the middle of Long Island Sound. Long
Island Sound is our Yellowstone. It would be unthinkable to
site an industrial facility in the middle of it.”
Representative Murphy said, “I am extremely disappointed
by this decision. For reasons that I can only describe as
baffling, the federal government has decided to put a giant
floating gas terminal in between two population centers and
in the middle of an ecosystem that Connecticut and New York
have made great strides in cleaning up in the past two decades.
While we must enhance the supply of available energy resources
for our region, it shouldn’t come at the expense of
public safety and environmental quality. I will continue to
work with my Connecticut and New York colleagues to reshape
this decision and protect the public and the Sound.”
Contact: Dave Natonski , 202/225-5541
Contact:
Sarah Moore, 202/225-5541
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