DeLauro Supports Connecticut Suit Against Islander East

DeLauro Supports Connecticut Suit Against Islander East

BRANFORD, Conn. - Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn.-3) expressed her support for a suit filed today by the State of Connecticut against the proposed Islander East pipeline. After the federal energy bill became law this summer, Islander East was able to file a federal suit to obtain its water quality certification, bypassing Connecticut state laws. Attorney General Richard Blumenthal today filed suit to dismiss Islander East's federal claim based on fact that the language in the energy bill is unconstitutional.

"The State of Connecticut has a responsibility to determine whether projects such as the Islander East pipeline meet state environmental standards. The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection has developed a review process that is thorough and fair and concluded that Islander East could not gain approval because it met neither Connecticut's coastal zone management nor water quality certification standards.

"In filing suit today, Connecticut is proving it will take all steps necessary to prevent this pipeline from moving forward. I applaud the Attorney General's efforts to block Islander East's federal claim. Islander East could not get approval for this project through Connecticut's regulatory process and, having lost in state court, is now attempting to use the federal courts to circumvent Connecticut's clean water laws. That the energy bill, signed into law by the president earlier this year, created this loophole for a company that has utter disregard for Connecticut's strong environmental laws is disgraceful."

http://www.house.gov/delauro/press/2005/September/islander_east_suit_09_26_05.html