NEWS RELEASE

Meeting our Energy Needs—Without Broadwater
New Comprehensive Report Debunks the Need for Broadwater and Suggests Safer, Cost Efficient Alternatives for NY and CT

PRESS CONFERENCE

Washington, DC— In an unprecedented, bi-state press conference, US Senators, Congressional representatives and environmentalists from New York and Connecticut join together to release a new report verifying that the Broadwater energy project in not needed and will not save the public in energy costs.

Synapse Energy Economics, a Massachusetts-based consulting firm, will release the first comprehensive and objective analysis and assessment of the northeast region’s need for Broadwater Energy’s Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal proposed for the Long Island Sound. The unique report debunks Broadwater’s false claim that the project is necessary to meet the long-term energy needs of New York and Connecticut as well as the claim it will provide “cheap” energy to the Northeast region.

The report concludes that a review of available data does not demonstrate a need for the Broadwater project and the project would not provide less expensive natural gas for our region as promised. The report cites several key energy projects already underway in the northeast and Canada that will meet the regions energy demand while preserving our social and natural resources.

“The “energy crises” theory promoted by Broadwater is a marketing tool and not a reflection of the regions true energy need,” said Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment. “It is up to the policy makers in New York, Connecticut and the Northeast region to set an energy policy that meets our energy demand but also protects our environment and our national security. Broadwater’s strategy for this LNG facility was carefully crafted to benefit their corporate bottom line rather than benefit neither the public nor our nation,” Esposito added.

The Synapse report documents that there are two LNG terminals already under construction in Canada and upgrades being made to the Maritimes and Northeast pipeline; both projects will ensure there is access to an increased gas supply.

“The irresponsible Broadwater proposal is an affront to years of careful stewardship of the Long Island Sound," stated Congress Tim Bishop (D-Coram, NY). "The Synapse report indicates that there are other options we must explore. Although we must plan for our energy future, we cannot compromise the health and safety of Long Island Sound," Bishop added.

As co-Chair of the Long Island Sound Caucus, I urge FERC to reject Broadwater's application," stated Congressman Steve Israel (D- Huntington, NY). “We can't afford to turn back the tide on the health of the Sound, one of the most important estuaries in the country and the lifeblood of the region," he added.

Citizens Campaign for the Environment has provided a supplement which reviews recently planned NY-based energy projects. These include re-tooling of the Millennium Pipeline, an expansion of the Iroquois pipeline, a 660 MW Neptune Cable for Long Island, re-powering of Long Island based power plants, and over 900 MW of planned wind energy.

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Click here to download the Synapse report (PDF format)

Click here to download the CCE supplement (PDF format)

View photo album with images from the press conference