Hartford, CT –
State Senator Len Fasano (R-North Haven) and State Senator
Andrea Stillman (D-Waterford) today applauded the U.S.
Department of Commerce’s decision to deny the appeal
made by Broadwater Energy after the company was denied
its request to build a floating liquefied natural gas
(LNG) terminal in Long Island Sound. The decision by the
Department of Commerce upheld a previous action by the
State of New York denying Broadwater Energy’s application.
“Today’s decision by the federal government
only affirms what so many along Connecticut’s
shoreline have been fighting for for months,”
said Senator Fasano. “There can
be no debate that the LNG terminal would have had an
extremely harmful effect on the delicate ecology of
Long Island Sound and would also have eroded the natural
beauty and vitality of Connecticut’s coastline.
With the denial of this appeal, I hope we can finally
begin to move forward with developing responsible energy
solutions that won’t leave a lasting, negative
impact on our environment.”
“Today’s announcement underscores my long-held
conviction that the environmental, aesthetic, and economic
value of Long Island Sound must not be undermined by
the Broadwater proposal or any other development that
would jeopardize the Sound’s integrity or security,”
said Senator Andrea L. Stillman. “It’s
gratifying to know the federal government has now formally
agreed with Connecticut and New York to reject what
I hope is Broadwater’s last gasp and sink this
idea once and for all.”
Senator Fasano and Senator Stillman share a strong
history as supporters of the health of Long Island Sound
and the fight against Broadwater. Both served as co-chairs
of Governor Rell’s Long Island Sound LNG Task
Force established during the first stages of Broadwater
Energy’s effort to build a floating liquefied
natural gas terminal in Long Island Sound. That proposal,
due in large part to the recommendations of the LNG
Task Force, was initially defeated last year.
Going forward, both Senator Fasano and Senator Stillman
stand in favor of SB 1078: An Act Establishing
A Bi-State Long Island Sound Commission.
If passed, the bill would repeal the Bi-State Long Island
Sound Marine Resources Committee and replace it with
a Bi-State Long Island Sound Commission. The Commission
would be charged with reviewing and monitoring all issues
involving Long Island Sound, specifically environmental
and ecological concerns.
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