CBS New YorkLONG BEACH, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) — A heated debate was expected on Long Island on Tuesday night. At issue is a controversial plan to build a natural gas port off the South Shore, with a promise of jobs and lower energy costs.
It’s a futuristic looking underwater operation — a proposed natural gas transfer station 18 miles off Jones Beach. Liberty Natural Gas calls it “Port Ambrose” and says it will bring jobs and lower energy bills, CBS 2’s Carolyn Gusoff reported.
“We will bring down natural gas prices. We will help convert from fuel oil to natural gas because no one can afford to pay what you have to pay in January, February and March,” Liberty Natural CEO Roger Whelan said.
But critics say it too close to the shores of Long Island and New Jersey, and worry about gas explosions and tanker accidents.
“I think they’re in over their heads. We all live here, know what one big wave can change our lives forever. There is no way our ocean should be for sale,” Larry Moriarty of the Surfrider Foundation.
The $300 million plan was to be debated Tuesday night at the Alegria Hotel in Long Beach, Long Island’s one public hearing on the divisive issue.
“The general public doesn’t have enough information, doesn’t even know about it, so I want more information, more time for public comment,” Nassau County Legislator Dave Denenberg (D-Bellmore) said.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie vetoed the first version of the plan back in 2010, but liberty gas says it has redesigned. The new plan is completely off shore and little if anything will be visible from land.
Liquefied natural gas would be shipped from the Caribbean and then turned into gas at an underwater docking station, pumped through buoys into two pipelines that serve Long Island and New York City.
Critics predict it will evolve into a large export facility.
“The potential here can shut down shipping lanes, overtax first responders and really affect the commerce of the state, not to mention the citizens,” said Sean Dixon of Clean Ocean Action.
“It’s a very safe, proven technology already in use in Boston since 2008,” Whelan said in response.
No taxpayer money is needed, but approval is, from the U.S. Maritime Administration, the Coast Guard and the governors of New York and New Jersey.
The second hearing will be held Wednesday evening in Edison at the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center.
I can already smell the pollution from here.
Blowout In Gulf of Mexico-“Loss of Well Control” reported-Large Oil Sheen on Surface, Gas Flowing Into Sea
this is one of those i told you so moments, not that it matters much now.
they drilled to historical depths of water. they had to have known what was down there.