Report Details Viable Alternatives to the Proposed Broadwater Energy

Report details viable alternatives to the proposed Broadwater Energy LNG Import Terminal.

(PRWEB) March 4, 2006 -- Connecticut Fund for the Environment and Save the Sound announced today the release of “The Proposed Broadwater LNG Import Terminal: An Analysis and Assessment of Alternatives,” which says that the LNG plant proposed by Shell and TransCanada for the middle of Long Island Sound is not necessary to meet the region’s growing short-term or long-term energy demands.

To view the report, visit http://www.cfenv.org/STS/broadwater/news/alternatives-analysis.pdf

According to the report, completed by national energy experts Synapse Energy Economics, Broadwater Energy has “failed to identify any compelling local or regional need for the proposed project that would justify the impact that this project would have on the environmental, economic, recreational and historical value of Long Island Sound.”

“We can now say with certainty that Broadwater is unnecessary,” said Leah Schmalz, director of legislative and legal affairs for Save the Sound, a program of Connecticut Fund for the Environment. “As this report points out, even if we do nothing to invest in efficiency or renewables our needs will be met by new supplies before Broadwater even finishes its full review process.”

“The report we are releasing today outlines a variety of ways to assure adequate gas and energy supplies for New England,” said Donald S. Strait, executive director for Save the Sound. “These are common sense approaches that do not require industrializing a large portion of the Sound. As in so many instances, we can protect critical environmental treasures like the Sound and assure a secure energy future that is good for our economy.”

In short, the report concludes that future energy needs can be met through proven on-the-books programs for increasing energy efficiency and increased sources of renewable energy. Not only are these alternatives superior environmentally, they’re also more affordable and consumer friendly.

The report also finds that new energy supplies are on their way. Two new LNG facilities are currently under construction just north of Maine in Canada. Each of these can import as much LNG as Broadwater and they’re connected by a pipeline that will be upgraded to provide substantial new sources of natural gas to the region – the very same region Broadwater claims it would serve.

The former chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has publicly stated that the Northeast’s energy needs can be met with two new LNG import facilities. In addition to the two being built to supply the Northeast, two expansions and 14 new LNG facilities are proposed in our region. The inevitable conclusion is that the Northeast is facing a glut of LNG proposals, 90 percent of which will not be needed.

Furthermore, according to “Outlook 2006,” a new report from the Energy Information Administration, which provides official energy statistics from the U.S. government, natural gas prices are expected to be higher and demand will grow more slowly than in previous projections.

LNG import projections were revised downward because more rapid growth in worldwide demand for natural gas reduces the availability of LNG supplies to the United States and raises worldwide natural gas prices, making LNG less economical in U.S. markets.

“This report demonstrates that Broadwater brings no benefit to Connecticut -- only endangering our environment and public safety,” Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said. “It deserves to be fought, and it will be -- vigorously and relentlessly. This report provides effective ammunition.”

Christopher Zurcher

Connecticut Fund for the Environment

205 Whitney Ave.

New Haven, CT 06511

Tel: (203) 787-0646, Ext. 107

Fax: (203) 787-0246

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