Senator Len Fasano, R-North Haven, and Senator Andrea Stillman, D-Waterford, today applauded Senate passage of legislation intended to give Connecticut a voice in protecting its citizens if a proposal to install a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal 11 miles from shore in Long Island Sound is approved. Senator Fasano and Senator Stillman co-chair the Connecticut Long Island Sound LNG Task Force.

“If this LNG is installed in Long Island Sound, security will include private forces armed with anti-terrorist weaponry. Our government needs to know who these security operators are, what kinds of weapons they have, and what the rules of engagement are. More than that, Connecticut should have the right to approve these security operators, or not. We need to this bill so that we have the authority we need to protect Connecticut citizens,” said Senator Fasano.

“I continue to hold grave reservations about the Broadwater plan for a floating LNG terminal on Long Island Sound for logistical, environmental, and economic reasons, but I also see an urgent need to move ahead with contingency plans for public safety should this facility gain approval despite our objections,” Senator Stillman said. “With enactment of this legislation, we’ll know shoreline residents and visitors alike are covered by emergency response plans no matter what town they’re in, and we’ll continue working to ensure Broadwater is going to be responsible for the cost of implementing these emergency plans.”

Specifically, SB 1017 An Act Concerning The Emergency Plans of Operations of Shoreline Communities and the Designation of Liquefied Natural Gas Hazard and Security Zones, requires the State Attorney General to recommend that the U.S. Coast Guard designates a hazard zone, and recommend that the federal government designates a security zone, around any LNG located or proposed on Long Island Sound. Such designations would require legislative and executive approval. Also, the bill also calls for prohibiting security services from operating in state waters without legislative and executive approval. Furthermore, shoreline communities would be required to include in their emergency operations plans provisions for addressing any emergency caused by an existing LNG facility on the Sound.

The legislation is now subject to further action by the House of Representatives.