DeLauro Praises NY State's Rejection of Broadwater

Press Release

Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn.-3) issued the following statement welcoming the decision of New York Governor David Paterson and New York Secretary of State Lorraine Cortes-Vasquez to reject Broadwater Energy's proposal to build a Liquefied Natural Gas facility in the middle of the Long Island Sound. In denying the proposal, New York determined that the facility does not meet with their coastal zone management consistency plan and water quality certification. In a letter to Governor Paterson and at a rally in opposition to Broadwater, DeLauro had pressed the state of New York to reject this proposal.

"Today is a victory for the Long Island Sound and the people of Connecticut and New York . With New York Governor Paterson's rejection of the Broadwater LNG facility and the determination from the New York Department of State - it is clear that reason and sound judgment prevailed. I am pleased that while this decision was made by New York , it reflects the deeply held views of the citizens of Connecticut and our connection to the Sound as a source of recreational and environmental enjoyment and economic opportunity.

"To have made any other decision would have ignored the myriad problems associated with the Broadwater proposal. The construction and operation of this LNG terminal, whose ‘floating' platform would be the equivalent size of the QE II - over 1200 feet long and 200 feet wide and rising 80 feet above sea level - would have permanently scarred the sea-bottom and resulted in a multitude of adverse environmental impacts to the Sound's fragile ecosystem. The required security zones would have prohibited the public use of a significant portion of the Sound - violating the public trust and creating an industrial zone in the middle of the Sound. And of particular concern, was a report by the Government Accountability Office stating that the U.S. Coast Guard lacks the resources it needs to safely escort the tankers to the facility, and even to provide for the security of the facility itself.

"I commend Governor Paterson, Secretary of State Cortes-Vasquez, and the State of New York for making a common-sense decision. In doing so, we are embracing our role as stewards of our natural resources by preserving and protecting the beauty of the Long Island Sound for generations to come."

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