"Safe Harbor"

by Jill Wagner

There's another plan to put a liquified natural gas terminal off our shores. Unlike the controversial Broadwater barge that would have been located in the middle of the Long Island Sound, this plan is calling for a man-made island in the Atlantic Ocean.

Private investors are behind the idea--The Atlantic Sea Island Group.   They call it "Safe Harbor Energy."  It's a 60 acre liquid natural gas terminal that they say would supply much-needed, clean burning natural gas to the New York area.

Today, some local legislators, including Dave Denenberg who represents the South Shore, and environmental groups, spoke out against the idea.  They say the project is an environmental disaster that will kill marine life and industrialize the ocean.  Plus, they say it relies on the importation of FOREIGN liquified natural gas--which is "far more expensive than DOMESTIC natural gas."

In response, a spokesperson for the group tells me:

"The science will prove that this is an environmental sound proposal.  The economics will prove that, in the face of a massive recession, this proposal will create thousands of jobs. The month of January will prove that Long Island will continue to have a genuine need for access to LNG for the foreseeable future."

The plan is controversial to say the least.  And complicated.  There's plenty of additional information on the project website.  The link is: www.atlanticseaislandgroup.com

The website includes a map of the exact location--13.5 miles south of Long Beach, 23 miles from the New York Harbor, and 19 miles east of the Jersey Shore.  There are also graphics of the plant layout from above and below the water.

There is still a long way to go before the plan moves forward.  Governor Patterson and Governor Corzine of New Jersey would have to approve the project before it could go through. We reached out to Governor Paterson's office for comment, and as of this writing, our call has not been returned.

And there will be a public hearing about Safe Harbor tomorrow night, Thursday, January 29th, at the Long Beach Public Library.  There is an open session at 4:30pm and the meeting starts at 6:30pm.

Comments

[John]

I haven't looked at the plans, I'll grant you, but while it doesn't seem like there's a huge environmental impact here, I can't help but think that the barge would've been less so. It also would've been cheaper.

Compare an anchored boat that sits on the surface, versus dirt packed into sixty acres times the depth of the ocean at that point. Which bothers more fish and diverts more currents? Also, since it's further from land, guess which one requires that the tankers burn more fuel to get there and back.

Don't get me wrong. It's a neat idea. But I don't think energy prices will exactly plummet, since you have to pay off the cost of making your own (insert expletive here, if that's your thing) island.