Letter from Senator Len Fasano, R-North Haven, to FERC Chairman Joseph Kelliher re Connecticut LNG Task Force. Two pages. Please see attached press release.
Press Contact for Senator Fasano: Catherine Sarault, SRO Press, 860-240-8818
December 18, 2006
Joseph Kelliher, Chairman
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street NE
Washington, DC 20426
RE: Connecticut LNG Task Force
Dear Chairman Kelliher:
I am co-chairman of the LNG Task Force established by Governor Rell. The Governor’s office forwarded me your letter dated December 13, 2006. I want to thank you for your comments, however, your letter does raise some issues for which I would like to respond.
On December 7, 2006, Senator Stillman and I sent a letter to FERC requesting an extension of time in which to reply to your draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). I have attached a copy of that letter. Obviously, this is a very complex DEIS as it is the first time an FSRU will be permanently anchored in State waters. In fact, the Broadwater project is the first of its kind in the world. The Task Force, as well as many of the experts we have contacted, believe additional time will be required to more fully review the project. An extension of time seems sound to preserve the concept of fundamental fairness of the hearing process. On December 7, 2006, the Task Force conducted an informational hearing in which the DEIS was reviewed by various experts in geology and Long Island Sound Aquatic Environment. These experts were from the University of Connecticut, the University of New Haven faculty and a former State Geologist. Their testimony raised a lot of issues which need to be addressed further. That being said, I reflect upon Page 2 of your letter indicating that the State of Connecticut will have an important role under the siting process for Broadwater and especially the final EIS. I am also aware there are two (2) public hearings to be held in Connecticut regarding the DEIS. It is a fair assumption that at both public hearings it will be well attended by the public who will be anxious to let their views be known to FERC. Therefore, the ability to share ideas between our experts and the FERC DEIS review staff will be extremely limited. As a result, if, as your letter suggests, you encourage the Governor and State agencies’ to have input into the final EIS report, then it is fair to assume that FERC will be cordial enough to set up a separate meeting so that our specific concerns can be fully addressed, without the time constraint which we would face in a public hearing process that FERC has established.
While our Task Force agrees with a number of the findings and safeguards of the DEIS regarding safety and security, the need for natural gas and other such issues, our Task Force is extremely concerned over the environmental impact this project will have on the Long Island Sound, (“LIS”). Our Task Force is extremely concerned over the lack of LIS expertise involved in this report. Therefore, a meeting, as we suggest above, is critical to ensure that the LIS is protected.
In conclusion, if in fact, FERC is sincere in having Connecticut’s concerns addressed, then the extension of time until March 23, 2007, in which to respond to the draft EIS, would go a long way in demonstrating FERC’s true concern of Connecticut’s issues. The above coupled with a meeting with our experts will also demonstrate that FERC truly wishes to incorporate Connecticut’s concerns.
I thank you in advance for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely yours,
LEONARD A. FASANO
State Senator – 34th District
LAF/cam
Enclosure
cc: Lisa Moody, Chief of Staff for Governor Rell
Gina McCarthy, Commissioner of DEP
Richard Blumenthal, Attorney General
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