NJ Governor Vetoes Coastal LNG Terminal - Newark Star-Ledger

[Hans Laetz, Newsgroup Editor]

Gov. Christie nixes proposed offshore liquefied natural gas plan
Published: Tuesday, February 08, 2011, 1:05 PM Updated: Tuesday,
February 08, 2011, 1:05 PM
By Tom Haydon/The Star-Ledger

Gov. Christie today vetoed a plan to build a liquefied natural gas off
Asbury Park and install a pipeline going along the coastline and
underground through Perth Amboy to a depot in Linden.

MIDDLESEX/UNION COUNTY — Gov. Chris Christie today vetoed a plan to
build a liquefied natural gas port off Asbury Park and install a
pipeline going along the coastline and underground through Perth Amboy
to a depot in Linden.
Citing his authority under the federal Deepwater Port Act, Christie
put a stop to the Liberty Natural Gas plan to construct the offshore
port that would receive liquid natural gas from foreign vessels for
regasification.

"Offshore LNG poses a unacceptable risk to the state's residents,
natural resources, economy and security," Christie said in a statement
today.
Environmental agencies and several towns have opposed the plan.

New York-based Liberty has said the company's project is safe and
differs from two other two liquid natural gas projects because it
would convert liquid natural gas offshore before bringing it onshore
as natural gas.

Christie said the project includes a 9.2 mile onshore pipeline from
Linden to Perth Amboy and 44 miles of submerged pipeline designed to
transport up to 2.4 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas from the
deepwater port to shore.

The governor said the plan could harm recreational and commercial
fishing as well as tourism. It would also bring the pipeline close to
population centers, increase the risk of discharges and increase
homeland security demands.