State Senator Len Fasano (R-North Haven) has been named chairman of Long Island Sound Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Task Force by Governor M. Jodi Rell. Governor Rell singed Executive Order No. 9 back in August creating the task force whose aim is to study the potential environmental, public health, economic, and security implications of a LNG facility currently being proposed by Broadwater Energy to be placed in Long Island Sound. Senate Republican Leader Louis DeLuca (R-Woodbury) originally appointed Senator Fasano to a position on the task force.

"It is a great honor to be named chairman of this task force which is inheriting a great deal of responsibility. I would like to thank both Governor Rell and Senator DeLuca for appointing me to this position," said Senator Fasano. "For the last several months I have been a passionate advocate against this Broadwater facility and for the protection of Long Island Sound. The current and future health of the Sound is foremost on my mind as well as those of my fellow committee members and I am committed to doing everything possible to keep the Broadwater facility out of the Sound."

If installed, the Broadwater facility would be the first one of its kind in the entire world and would pose a litany of environmental, public health, and even security risks for Connecticut.

"The damage that could be done to the Sound by a LNG ship the size of the Queen Mary II is astounding. Plus, sitting only 10.5 miles from East Haven, 11.6 miles from Guilford, and 18 miles from Madison, it could be seen easily on a clear day from Connecticut shores."

The Task Force consists of thirteen members appointed either by the Governor, various legislative leaders, or the Commissioners of several cognizant state agencies.