Long Island, NY - October 16, 2015 - U.S. Representative Kathleen Rice submitted a public comment today to the United States Maritime Administrator Paul Jaenichen expressing her opposition to the proposed Port Ambrose liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, which would be constructed 17 nautical miles off the coast of Jones Beach. This week the United States Coast Guard and Maritime Administration completed an in-depth environmental study on the Port Ambrose terminal and found that it could have adverse effects on the environment and local maritime life.

“Earlier this year, I stood on the Long Beach boardwalk with dozens of local residents and local officials and together we voiced our opposition to this project,” said Representative Kathleen Rice. “As a community, we are still struggling to recover from Superstorm Sandy and we cannot afford the added environmental risks that this project will bring. Not only will the Port Ambrose terminal increase our dependence on harmful fossil fuels, but it will jeopardize the health, safety and economic security of the coastal communities in our district. I strongly urge Governor Cuomo to veto this proposal. 

“Rather than building a natural gas terminal, our community and state should be focused on leading the transition to clean renewable energy, protecting our local economy, and investing in more resilient infrastructure so we are better prepared when the next storm comes."

The release of the environmental impact study initiated a 45-day public comment period. Governors Cuomo and Christie will have to decide whether to approve, veto or modify the proposal no later than December 21, 2015.

A copy of Rep. Rice’s comment can be found here.

In January, 2015 Rep. Rice also sent a letter to Governor Cuomo urging him to veto the project.