Loud Opposition Voiced to Proposed Gas Port off Jones Beach

When Tuesday evening’s over two hour hearing for a proposed offshore liquefied (LNG) natural gas (LNG) port in coastal waters off Jones Beach wrapped up at the Allegria Hotel in Long Beach, more than 30 speakers signed up to voice their opinions on the project remained on the schedule.

The Allegria Hotel’s second floor meeting room was packed with a standing-room-only crowd and the vast majority of attendees who delivered public remarks lambasted Liberty Natural Gas’s Port Ambrose LNG facility proposal that would be situated around 17 miles south of Jones Beach. The project, which is similar to a previous proposal in New Jersey that was vetoed by Gov. Chris Christie., would also involve installing pipelines around 2.5 miles from the Long Beach Barrier Island.

Reading materials at the hearing from the U.S. Coast Guard and Maritime Administration say the application for the deepwater port is for importing natural gas, but many opponents expressed concerns about the project paving the way for eventual allowance of exporting. Worries about the project’s impact on the environment and hurting a chance for a wind farm previously discussed for that area of the Atlantic Ocean were also brought up.

“Replacing oil with natural gas is not a bridge to the future, it’s a sidestep to continue the status quo,” said Adrienne Esposito, executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment. “We want renewable energy.”

Many Long Beach residents spoke out against the Port Ambrose proposal Tuesday including Brian Moriarty who forecasted that approval of the project would negatively impact business in the South Shore city.

“This proposed project cannot be allowed to ruin our city,” he said. “This project threatens our local economy and our tax base. Our oceans should not be for sale.”

Liberty Natural Gas CEO Roger Whelen issued a statement prior to Tuesday’s hearing saying the project would provide 600 jobs with more than $90 billion invested into the local economy while also reducing and stabilizing energy prices for area consumers.

Only four of the many speakers Tuesday night spoke in support of the Port Ambrose proposal. Nick Meola, an artist from Long Beach, said the project could have great engineering benefits for the local area.

“We have the ability to show the world what American ingenuity can be,” Meola said. “This is a wonderful opportunity to show what we’re made of.”

In order for the Port Ambrose plan to move forward, it must be approved by the U.S. Maritime Administration,  Coast Guard, and the governors of New York and New Jersey. 

A second public hearing on the Port Ambrose proposal is scheduled for Wednesday night in Edison, N.J. A letter sent to the Maritime Administration last week signed by more than organizations asked for additional public hearings. The public comment period is scheduled to end on Aug. 23.