Sink Or Swim: Local Natural Gas Project Continues To Be Met With Opposition

Concerned about the quality of life here on Long Island? Well, you’re not alone. From increased cost of living, traffic, noise, congestion, it’s a far cry from the peaceful paradise most of us remember growing up in. And, now there may be even more reason for concern.

Authorities note that there is currently a lingering debate regarding a liquefied natural gas terminal slated for the Long Island Sound and it’s expected environmental impact on our communities and lives.

The measure drew attention from federal energy officials that determined that the extensive Broadwater LNG Terminal, a 1,200 foot-long floating facility mandating an estimated 22 miles of new pipeline under Long Island Sound, would have negligible impact on the local environment.

The Federal Energy Regulatory commission made the determination after gathering a host of information from various federal and state agencies helping them to access the environmental impact the measure could be expected to have.

However, some “local” scientists from both Long Island and surrounding areas including Connecticut pose questions concerning the report and its conclusions noting that it undermines the potential hazards to marine life. They suggest that digging the trench for the new pipeline puts at risk lobsters and other creatures that reside at the bottom of the ocean such as sponges and corals.

And, they add that with lobster stocks on Long Island already “suffering”, any additional impact would not be helpful.

However, environmental scientists also have other concerns, including the consequences of drawing tons of seawater each day for the terminal’s functioning and operation. Furthermore, the release of already used cooking water from the facility, water that would in turn be both chlorinated and approximately almost 4 degrees warmer than water in the Sound may result in thermal pollution.

And, they remain extremely concerned about the impact that it will have on varying species such as lobster larvas, Jonah crab, rock crabs, blue-shelled crabs etc, especially during the summer months when water heat up naturally and adding the that heat can only “threaten” these varying sea animals.

On the other hand, Broadwater official stand behind the commissions report noting that the commission took two years to do the research and arrive at this conclusion. In addition they suggest that the LNG terminal would help the environment due to the fact that natural gas is cleaner, and more fuel-efficient.

Still, the $700 million project continues, for these and many other reasons to draw (significant) opposition.