A 25-foot U.S. Coast Guard boat assigned to the Coast Guard Station Boston, Mass., provides a security escort for the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Tanker Matthew in Boston Harbor. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Public Affairs Specialist 3rd Class Kelly Newlin)
NEWPORT, R.I. – President of the Senate M. Teresa Paiva Weed (D–Newport, Jamestown) has established a special Senate task force to review the proposed construction of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) offshore loading platform in Mount Hope Bay.
The task force, which was announced on Friday, will be chaired by another Aquidneck Island representative, Sen. Charles J. Levesque (D–Portsmouth, Bristol).
The US Coast Guard recently determined that Rhode Island’s waterways were sufficient for 950-foot supertankers carrying tens of millions of gallons of the combustible liquid fuel to travel through Narragansett Bay and Mount Hope Bay up to 70 times per year, or about once every five days. The LNG tankers would disrupt traffic in the water and on bridges when traveling in and out of the bay, as federal law requires a safety zone of two miles ahead and one mile behind the supertanker, even after it unloads.
“There are serious questions that require research about the proposed project’s potential impact on the state’s safety, economy and environment,” said Paiva Weed. “There may also be legislative actions that should be explored for the 2010 General Assembly Session. This Task Force will meet to ask the questions, research the issues surrounding this proposed project, and provide legislative solutions if necessary.”
Citing environmental, safety and economic concerns, the Senate passed a resolution and Attorney General Patrick Lynch issued a formal appeal, both urging the US Coast Guard to reconsider its ruling. Despite these efforts, the Coast Guard has thus far maintained their decision, and in late July of last year issued a favorable recommendation for a proposal submitted by Weaver’s Cove Energy, LLC to construct an LNG offshore unloading platform in Mount Hope Bay.
Task Force Chairman Charles Levesque observed: “The proposed LNG terminal could have a dramatic impact on the quality of life for Rhode Islanders, particularly those in coastal communities, and there are numerous questions with regard to potential dangers. The task force will carefully examine how much of a security threat the proposal creates, the impact of the disruption to commercial and recreational boating, traffic concerns related to the periodic closure of the Pell and Mount Hope bridges, and ultimately the proposal’s potential impact upon Rhode Islanders from an economic, environmental and public safety standpoint.”
The project’s potential impact on the 65,000 Rhode Islanders who live along the proposed LNG supertanker route and in the area surrounding the planned storage tank site, has sparked an outcry from residents across the state. Environmental groups such as Save the Bay, Save Bristol Harbor, the Kickemuit River Council, the Environmental Council of Rhode Island, NOLNG.org, and others, have also been vocal with their disapproval.
The Task Force will hold its first meeting later this month, and expects to complete its work by the end of March.
The full task force roster is as follows: Sen. David E. Bates (R-Barrington, Bristol); Sen. Frank A. DeVall, Jr. (D- East Providence); Sen. Louis P. DiPalma (D- Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Tiverton); Sen. Walter S. Felag, Jr. (D- Burrillville, Glocester, North Smithfield); Sen. J. Michael Lenihan (D-East Greenwich, Warwick, North Kingstown); Sen. Erin P. Lynch (D-Warwick); Sen. Michael J. McCaffrey (D- Warwick); Sen. Harold M. Metts (D- Providence); Sen. Joshua Miller (D-Cranston, Warwick); Sen. Rhoda E. Perry (D- Providence); Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski (D-New Shoreham, South Kingstown); and Sen. William A. Walaska (D- Warwick).
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Newport, RI
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Sounds like “make a political statement”.
What this task force needs to examine is the financial, political, and other reasons that Weaver’s Cove is so adamant to construct its facility here, and not someplace else where it’s needed, wanted, and unopposed. They have spent millions to further this proposal when the reality of it is that they are unwanted here. We who live by, use, and love the Bay oppose their proposal and will defend our Bay beyond Weaver’s Cove’s ability to force their business down our throats.
There is a hidden agenda in their steadfast refusal to bow to the demands of the people of Narragansett Bay. If this “task force” is to have any relevance it will expose this agenda for what it is.