Alexis Pagoulatos

The Port Ambrose Liquid Natural Gas project is wrong for New Jersey’s clean energy future and coastal environment. Increasing our ability to burn more foreign fossil fuel is not the answer to our energy needs. This project would produce very few permanent jobs and is not worth the risk to our coast. The project would also have serious impacts on water quality, local air quality, aquatic ecosystems, and migratory bird populations. Last year Congress passed a law amending port licenses to allow both imports and exports. This could lead to Port Ambrose being the region’s hub for exports of natural gas, resulting in accelerated hydrofracking and higher energy costs. The port would be located near the entrance to the NY Harbor, in two active Coast Guard training areas, in the middle of a proposed offshore wind area, and among several fishing areas and wildlife migration routes. The port, south of Jones Beach, NY and east of Monmouth Beach, NJ, would be connected to an offshore pipeline just south of Atlantic Beach, NY. The port would discharge 3.5 million gallons of chemically-treated seawater used for pipe tests, generate significant underwater noise pollution, and dredge up over 20 miles of seafloor. LNG will be used to undercut renewable energy and energy efficiency programs. Natural gas is still a fossil fuel and contributes to climate change pollution. In 2011, Gov. Christie vetoed a similar proposal by Liberty under adjacent state status under the federal Deepwater Port Act. Additionally, this project would create only 6-10 permanent jobs according to Liberty. We do not need this off our coast. Instead we should be investing in clean, renewable energy like offshore wind and energy efficiency. This project is not good for our coast, not good for consumers, and not good for our climate. Please reject this project. We urge you to protect the waters off New York and New Jersey by keeping them free from LNG. Thank you for your consideration.