LNG Task Force Chairman Senator Fasano Responds to Coast Guard Report

Entire LNG Task Force to Meet with Captain Boynton on Thursday

State Senator Len Fasano (R-North Haven), the chairman of the Long Island Sound Liquefied Natural Gas Task Force, commented on a report released today by the U.S. Coast Guard regarding safety and security issues for Broadwater’s proposed LNG facility that would sit in Long Island Sound. A copy of the Coast Guard’s Report can be found at www.uscg.mil/d1/units/seclis/public.html.

“I would like to thank Captain Boynton and his fellow officers for their efforts in completing this assessment and their willingness to share their findings with the Task Force. Their report indicates to me that Connecticut is even more impacted by the proposed LNG facility than our previous hearings had seemed to indicate,” said Senator Fasano. “With this report making it abundantly clear that additional measures are necessary to responsibly manage the safety and security risks as well as that in the future Hazard Zone 3 could impact Connecticut land, the Task Force has a responsibility to further look into these findings.”

“Moreover, while the Coast Guard has helped identify several navigational safety and maritime security issues, these are just two of the many matters the Task Force must consider when evaluating the impact of this proposed facility on Connecticut and its citizens.”

Captain Boynton will debrief all members of the LNG Task Force this coming Thursday at 1 PM in Room 1D of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. At that time, Task Force members will also have the opportunity to ask Captain Boynton questions on the report.

“I am sure when the Task Force is debriefed by Captain Boynton there will be many additional questions by interested members of the Task Force. Our job remains to identify all possible implications of the LNG facility for our State and certainly next Thursday will continue to help us in that process,” continued Senator Fasano.

Senator Fasano was named Chairman of the Task Force by Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell through Executive Order No. 9 in August of 2005. He is currently serving his second term representing the towns of North Haven, East Haven, and Wallingford.

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