For Immediate Release
April 10, 2008

Contact:
Ruth Colon
Lauren Rivera         
518-474-4752

                                               
New York Secretary of State Determines Broadwater’s LNG Facility
Not Consistent with the Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program

            The New York Secretary of State has rejected Broadwater’s proposal to construct a Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) for imported Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), in Long Island Sound.  The New York Department of State determined that the proposal is not consistent with six Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program (LISCMP) policies. 

            “This was a very complex and difficult decision,” Secretary of State Lorraine A. Cortés-Vázquez said.  “The thorough analysis in today’s ruling makes clear the importance of protecting the character of Long Island Sound, as it points the way to sensible alternatives for meeting New York’s long term energy needs. The needs must be balanced with a positive trajectory of improving the health of the Long Island Sound ecosystem. One cannot predict the future, but a correct decision can influence it,” said the Secretary.

             Broadwater proposed an FSRU to be permanently moored in 90 feet of water in Long Island Sound.  The facility at 1215 feet long, 200 feet wide and between 75 and 100 feet above the water line would be located approximately 9 miles north of the Town of Riverhead and about 11 miles from the nearest shoreline in Connecticut.  As many as 156 LNG tankers would have entered and exited the Sound through The Race to supply the FSRU each year.

The Department of State administers New York’s Coastal Management Program (NYCMP) and issued the consistency decision pursuant to the federal Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972.  An LNG facility in this location requires approvals from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. Coast Guard.  Applicants like Broadwater who are asking for federal authorizations that affect New York’s portion of Long Island Sound must certify that the activity is consistent with New York’s federally-approved Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program that implements the NYCMP in that special regional area of New York.  The Secretary’s decision constitutes an objection to Broadwater’s coastal consistency certification.

While the Department rejected the proposal to build Broadwater in Long Island Sound, it suggested two alternative sites where FSRUs could be constructed by Broadwater. These FSRUs and their associated facilities, including pipelines, would be consistent with the New York Coastal Management Program.   The sites are on the Atlantic Ocean side of Long Island, outside of New York State boundaries. The first site approved by the Department  would be south of Long Beach, New York 13 miles offshore in about 80 feet of water, west of Cholera Bank.  A submerged offshore pipeline would  connect this FSRU to the existing offshore Transco-Long Beach pipeline.  The second site would be 22 miles south of Fire Island Inlet in approximately 130 feet of water and would connect that FSRU to the Iroquois Gas Transmission System through offshore and on shore pipelines.

The Department of State found that Broadwater is inconsistent with Policies 1, 3, 6, 9, 10, and 11 of the Long Island Sound Program as follows:

Policy 1  Foster a pattern of development in the Long Island Sound coastal area that enhances community character, preserves open space, makes efficient use of infrastructure, makes beneficial use of a coastal location, and minimizes adverse effects of development.

Policy 3 Enhance visual quality and protect scenic resources throughout Long Island Sound.

Policy 6  Protect and restore the quality and function of the Long Island Sound ecosystem.

Policy 9  Provide for public access to, and recreational use of, coastal waters, public lands, and public resources of the Long Island Sound coastal area.

Policy 10 Protect Long Island Sound’s water-dependent uses and promote siting of new water-dependent uses in suitable locations.

Policy 11  Promote sustainable use of living marine resources in Long Island Sound.

The decision in its entirety is available at www.dos.state.ny.us.                                                                                               

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