Date : Wed, 10 Jul 2013 13:36:17 -0400
For Immediate Release
July 10, 2013
Contact Jeff Tittel, 609-558-9100
New Jersey's Coast At Risk from LNG Proposal
Public Hearings on Liberty Port Ambrose Facility
Tonight the Maritime Administer will hold the only New Jersey meeting on a newly proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility off the coast of Sandy Hook.Liberty has submitted a new permit application to the Maritime Administration and US Coast Guard for the “Port Ambrose” deepwater port.The facility would accept import shipments of LNG, treat the gas on site, and then connect with the regional pipeline transmission system.This proposal comes despite a current glut of natural gas in the United States from fracking and a previous proposal by the company was vetoed by Gov. Christie in 2010.The hearing tonight is an opportunity for community members to get their environmental, health, and public safety concerns on the record as the Maritime Administration and US Coast Guard prepare an Environmental Impact Statement on the project.
“We need to stop this fossil fuelishness.LNG not only adds to greenhouse gas and hurts the environment, it is dangerous.Even worse it is being used to undermine energy efficiency and renewable energy.We have a clear choice between clean energy and carbon fuels.We could have windmills off our coast or LNG terminals and oil rigs.That future is up to us and that is why tomorrow's meeting is so important,“ said Jeff Tittel, Director NJ Sierra Club.
The offshore facility would take shipments of LNG and prepare them for distribution.LNG is not conventional compressed natural gas.LNG has been compressed by being super-chilled to -260 degrees and is extremely volatile.It is a liquid 1/600th the original volume of gas.Having this off our coast would present serious environmental and public health and safety challenges. If there is an accident it could be catastrophic given the explosive power of LNG.We have an oversupply of natural gas already, we do not need to be importing more.
“We do not need a facility like this off our coast.Instead we should be investing in clean, renewable energy like offshore wind and energy efficiency,“ said Jeff Tittel.
In time this facility could be converted for LNG exports.The ships they will use have the technology to do both.Last year Congress passed a law amending port licenses to allow both imports and exports.They have not put in an export application yet, but can do so in the future as the amount of available gas in the United States increases with more fracking.This would result in higher energy costs and more environmental impacts across the region. Because of the spot market for gas, one day they could be importing the gas and the next exporting it abroad.
The port would be located near the entrance to the NY Harbor, in two active Coast Guard training areas, and among several fishing areas and wildlife migration routes. This project would be sited in an ideal location for offshore wind.The port would discharge 3.5 million gallons of chemically-treated seawater used for pipe tests, generate significant underwater noise pollution, and dredge up over 20 miles of seafloor
In 2011 Governor Christie vetoed a similar proposal by Liberty under adjacent state status under the federal Deepwater Port Act.
“New Jersey needs a LNG facility like we need another hurricane,” said Jeff Tittel. “This is the wrong project in the wrong place. Not only will this facility bring in more fossil fuel, but it will undercut New Jersey's progress toward a renewable energy future.“
The Maritime Administration will hold a public hearing Wednesday July 10th in Edison
When: Wednesday July 10, 2013
Open House: 4:30PM-5:30PM & Hearing: 6:00PM to 8:00PM
Where:New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center, 97 Sunfield Ave, Edison, NJ 08837
<http://bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&pc=FACEBK&mid=8100&rtp=adr.%7Epos.40.500152664069_-74.347557933982_New+Jersey+Convention+and+Exposition+Center_97+Sunfield+Avenue%2C+Edison%2C+New+Jersey&cp=40.500152664069%7E-74.347557933982&lvl=16&sty=r&rtop=0%7E0%7E0%7E&mode=D&FORM=FBKPL1&mkt=en-GB>
More information: http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=USCG-2013-0363-0006
<http://www.regulations.gov/#%21documentDetail;D=USCG-2013-0363-0006>
-- Kate Millsaps Conservation Program Coordinator NJ Chapter of the Sierra Club 609-656-7612