Broadwater Energy on Wednesday received its Letter of Recommendation (LOR) from the U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COPT) Long Island Sound addressing the suitability of the waterway to accommodate LNG vessels and the operations of the Broadwater facility.
The LOR reflects the conclusions of the Waterway Suitability Report on Broadwater issued on September 21, 2006, which determined that the Sound can be made suitable with the identified additional measures to responsibly manage risks to navigation safety and maritime security.
In the LOR, the COPT Long Island Sound LOR states that "Based upon the record, it is my recommendation that the waterway is not currently suitable, but can be made suitable for the LNG marine traffic associated with the proposed Broadwater terminal, if the following mitigation measures detailed in section 8.4.1 of the WSR are implemented."
"Safety and security are top priorities for the Broadwater project, said John Hritcko, Senior Vice President and Regional Project Director, Broadwater Energy. "The project has been designed and sited to enhance the safety of the facility and its operations."
"The issuance of the LOR by the COPT Long Island Sound reiterating that the Sound can be made suitable for LNG vessels and the FSRU operations reaffirms our belief that Broadwater is the best way to safely and securely provide Long Island, New York City, and the Connecticut markets with a new supply of dependable, clean burning natural gas," added Hritcko.
The Coast Guard's LOR is supported by more than a year of analytic and objective assessment with the Coast Guard providing its expertise in matters related to navigation safety, vessel engineering and safety standards, and port security associated with the proposed Broadwater facility. During the assessment, the Harbor Safety Working Group and a subcommittee of the Long Island Sound Area Maritime Security Committee (AMSC) provided extensive input and review. These committees comprised of numerous local and State representatives for commercial, recreational, and government waterway users as well agencies with responsibilities for waterway safety. The extensive public input was also provided through written comments and during public scoping meetings held at locations in both New York and Connecticut.
Broadwater will continue working with the US Coast Guard to develop the emergency response plan and additional operations and vessel transit plans with local emergency responders and other stakeholders.
Broadwater is a joint venture between TransCanada and Shell US Gas and Power.
