Pallone Continues Fight Against Dangerous LNG Project Proposal Off of the New Jersey Coast

LONG BRANCH, NJ – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, submitted a statement expressing his opposition to the proposed plan to build an offshore liquefied natural gas port 24 miles off the coast of Long Branch, New Jersey. In his statement, which was submitted at a public hearing on the Final Environmental Impact Statement, Pallone highlighted the potential dangers that the proposed Liberty Natural Gas (LNG) Port Ambrose terminal poses to New Jersey's ocean and coastline, which work as crucial economic engines for the state.

“Throughout my tenure as an elected official, I have opposed industrial uses of the ocean,” said Congressman Pallone in his statement. “I have fought against offshore oil and gas drilling, as well as worked successfully to end ocean dumping. Instead of focusing on industrial uses of the ocean, our country and the State of New Jersey should be encouraging the use of renewable energy resources.”

In October, Congressman Pallone, who has fought against offshore oil and gas drilling throughout his career and worked successfully to end ocean dumping, sent a letter to Governor Christie urging him to veto the proposal. Governor Christie vetoed a similar proposed project in 2011, and in the letter Congressman Pallone asked the Governor to remain consistent in his opposition. The letter is available HERE.

“New Jersey should be taking a national lead on promoting a forward-looking energy policy that moves towards increased use of renewable energy sources that create jobs here at home, and away from importing polluting fossil fuels from other countries,” continued Pallone.

The full text of Congressman Pallone’s statement is below.

Statement of Rep. Frank Pallone

Port Ambrose LNG Public Hearing, November 4, 2015

I apologize I could not be there in person with all of you this evening, but I am in Washington, DC because Congress is in session this week. I join with those of you who are here in opposition tonight to stand up against the industrialization of the Jersey Shore.

I am opposed to the proposed Liberty Natural Gas offshore liquefied natural gas project planned for 24 miles off the coast of Long Branch. A project strikingly similar to this one was proposed by Liberty Natural Gas in 2010. The project was unnecessary then and it is unnecessary now.

Throughout my tenure as an elected official, I have opposed industrial uses of the ocean. I have fought against offshore oil and gas drilling, as well as worked successfully to end ocean dumping. Instead of focusing on industrial uses of the ocean, our country and the State of New Jersey should be encouraging the use of renewable energy resources.

Any energy development in the Atlantic should be from renewable sources, such as wind power, and not polluting fossil fuels. The Department of Interior recently finalized a plan to lease 343,833 acres off of the New Jersey coast for commercial wind energy development. Wind power is exactly the type of clean energy America should be investing in—the type that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil and gas and create jobs.

Domestic natural gas production has been steadily increasing and is projected to continue to increase in the coming years. It simply does not make sense to build a terminal to import natural gas into the United States, increasing our reliance on foreign fossil fuels and increasing carbon emissions stemming from transporting and re-gasifying the LNG.

Last month, I wrote to Governor Christie and called on him to use the authority vested to him under the Deepwater Port Act to veto this ill-advised project. In the Governor’s letter to the Maritime Administration disapproving of the project in 2010 he stated that “the environmental impacts could threaten the recent ocean water quality improvements the State has worked hard to achieve.” I have urged him to remain consistent with his previous opposition to this project.

With the Jersey Shore still recovering from Superstorm Sandy, we cannot risk another blow to our coast from the hazards that exist related to an LNG terminal 24 miles offshore. This past summer New Jersey had a strong beach season, with locals and tourists alike showing their Jersey pride by patronizing local businesses and enjoying our replenished beaches. Just imagine what a blow it would be to that recovery if an accident were to occur at this terminal.

New Jersey should be taking a national lead on promoting a forward-looking energy policy that moves towards increased use of renewable energy sources that create jobs here at home, and away from importing polluting fossil fuels from other countries.

I urge rejection of this unnecessary and risky proposal. Thank you.