Governor Patrick Applauds Coast Guard Decision in Fall River

Press Release

GOVERNOR PATRICK APPLAUDS COAST GUARD DECISION IN FALL RIVER

United States Coast Guard Captain Ray Nash today announced the planned LNG terminal in Fall River is not suitable for safety and security reasons. The decision reflects the Coast Guard's independent assessment of Weaver Cove Company's proposal.

"We are grateful for the Coast Guard's independent and objective assessment of the security and safety risks involved with the Weaver's Cove LNG project," said Governor Deval Patrick. "I am pleased that the Coast Guard's concerns, like ours, were about site suitability and security."

"Vessel masters would face extraordinary navigational maneuvers when transiting the waterway and the safety risks are too great to favorable recommend the waterway as suitable," Captain Nash said in his recommendation letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

The decision reflects sustained efforts by the Patrick Administration to ensure safety, security and environmental impacts were given proper consideration by the Coast Guard. The Governor, the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security and the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs also worked with the state of Rhode Island in their mutual opposition of the site location.

"We value the Coast Guard assessment recognizing the safety and security concerns with the proposed LNG facility. Governor Patrick and his public safety team have continually expressed great concern with respect to the dangers in the Weaver's Cove plan," said Public Safety and Security Secretary Kevin Burke.

Burke and Undersecretary for Homeland Security Juliette N. Kayyem outlined those dangers in a letter to Weaver's Cove, reflecting the tremendous burdens to public safety and emergency management that would have resulted if the company had succeeded.

The proposed transit route would have brought LNG tankers, 700 feet long and 80 feet wide, within 33 yards of two heavily traveled bridges, the U.S.S. Massachusetts museum and the State Pier - an area that is heavily populated with limited evacuation routes.

"Governor Patrick is committed to making the Commonwealth a leader in clean, reliable and affordable energy. To accomplish this objective, we have better, safer options than the Weaver's Cove proposal. The Coast Guard's assessment of the proposal confirms the safety and security concerns regarding the proposal. I believe the Coast Guard acted prudently," said Secretary of Energy and Environment Ian Bowles.

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