The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the $700 million Broadwater Energy (Shell & TransCanada) floating liquefied-natural-gas (LNG) terminal proposed to be built in the middle of Long Island Sound. The 1,200-foot-long, 82-foot-high floating storage and regasification terminal is designed to supply 1.25 billion cubic feet of natural gas a day to New York and Connecticut -- enough to generate electricity for 4 million homes. The facility would be about 10.2 miles off Guilford in the middle of the Sound. A 22-mile pipeline extending from the terminal to a underwater interconnection with the Iroquois Gas Transmission System would bring the gas onshore.
According to FERC:
"Based on all available scientific facts, we approve the Broadwater project today... it can meet the projected energy needs for New York City, Long Island and Connecticut, and can provide the service safely, securely and with limited adverse impact on the environment. Without increased natural gas supplies in the region, consumers will experience higher prices and reduced reliability of natural gas supply."
LNG is natural gas super cooled into a liquid for transportation aboard ocean tankers. When cooled to minus 259 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 162 Celsius), the gas changes into a liquid and shrinks to less than 1/600th of its original volume. LNG accounts for almost 4 percent of total U.S. natural gas supplies, but that is forecast to increase to 17 percent by 2030 (EIA). The project still needs approvals from state agencies before construction can begin. AAEA supports the project. (More AAEA LNG Info)
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