Ensures Healthy Sea and Economy for Future Generations
*Public Hearings NOT POSTPONED*
Today is a great day for the ocean!
Demonstrating his commitment to protect New Jersey's coastal waters and natural resources, Governor Chris Christie today invoked his authority under the federal Deepwater Port Act, vetoing a proposed deepwater liquefied natural gas operation 16 miles off the coast of Asbury Park. The action prevents Liberty Natural Gas from constructing and operating its proposed offshore port to receive foreign vessels transporting liquid natural gas (LNG) to the U.S. for regassification.
"I take very seriously our obligation to protect the environmental health of our coastal waters,” said Governor Christie. “Offshore LNG poses unacceptable risks to the State's residents, natural resources, economy and security. We must ensure that our 126 miles of shoreline remain an economic driver for tourism and that our fishing and shellfish industries remain healthy and productive now and for future generations.”
“This is a clear victory for the ocean,” said Cindy Zipf, Executive Director of Clean Ocean Action. “It is our most treasured natural resource and it will now be free from harmful industrialization.”
“The ocean is the backbone of our state’s economy, it sustains and supports a multi-billion dollar tourism industry, provides endless hours of enjoyment on the beach and in the sea, and hosts a rich diversity of marine life. If we abuse it and put it in harms way our economy and way of life will diminish and ultimately collapse” furthered Zipf.
"The Governor’s veto today keeps New Jersey's eye on the prize -- environmentally and economically, we need to be developing clean renewable energy and becoming more energy efficient instead of relying on dirty and dangerous options like liquid natural gas on the Jersey Shore," said Dave Pringle, Director of the New Jersey Environmental Federation.
"The decision to veto the Liberty natural gas project protects the Jersey shore and decreases our reliance on fossil fuels. New Jersey is a leader in the renewable energy industry and the Governor's veto today helps us maintain this leadership position," said William Schulte, an attorney with the Eastern Environmental Law Center.
The next step, now that this latest battle is over, is to call upon our federal officials to step up and act to permanently protect our waters. They must pass federal legislation permanently protect our ocean waters off the New Jersey and New York coast from these and other types of harmful activities by making it a Clean Ocean Zone.
Offshore Liquified Natural Gas Project Background: Three liquefied natural gas import facilities were pending off the Jersey Shore: Liberty Natural Gas, four snake-like buoy/turret moorings off Asbury Park; Atlantic Sea Island Group, which proposed to build an island in the ocean off Sea Bright, NJ; and Exxon Mobile’s Blue Ocean Energy project which was planning to install an experimental massive storage facility off Sea Girt. Following the Governors announcement, and changes to the global LNG market, the latter two companies withdrew their plans last year. Only Liberty Natural Gas proceeded, taunting the Governor’s promise of a veto.
Resources and Links
Governor Christie's Release
Governor Christie's Statement
Thank Governor Christie and DEP Commisioner Bob Martin for keeping their word and stopping Liberty Natural Gas and all LNG projects off NJ and NY.
Email
By mail or phone:
Office of the Governor
PO Box 001
Trenton, NJ 08625
609-292-6000
Bob Martin, Commissioner
401 E. State St.
7th Floor, East Wing
P.O. Box 402
Trenton, NJ 08625-0402
609-292-2885
Find out more about Clean Ocean Action
Keep our ocean wild & industry free!
Stay informed and involved in future Clean Ocean Zone activities.
*Public Hearings NOT POSTPONED*
Today is a great day for the ocean!
Demonstrating his commitment to protect New Jersey's coastal waters and natural resources, Governor Chris Christie today invoked his authority under the federal Deepwater Port Act, vetoing a proposed deepwater liquefied natural gas operation 16 miles off the coast of Asbury Park. The action prevents Liberty Natural Gas from constructing and operating its proposed offshore port to receive foreign vessels transporting liquid natural gas (LNG) to the U.S. for regassification.
"I take very seriously our obligation to protect the environmental health of our coastal waters,” said Governor Christie. “Offshore LNG poses unacceptable risks to the State's residents, natural resources, economy and security. We must ensure that our 126 miles of shoreline remain an economic driver for tourism and that our fishing and shellfish industries remain healthy and productive now and for future generations.”
“This is a clear victory for the ocean,” said Cindy Zipf, Executive Director of Clean Ocean Action. “It is our most treasured natural resource and it will now be free from harmful industrialization.”
“The ocean is the backbone of our state’s economy, it sustains and supports a multi-billion dollar tourism industry, provides endless hours of enjoyment on the beach and in the sea, and hosts a rich diversity of marine life. If we abuse it and put it in harms way our economy and way of life will diminish and ultimately collapse” furthered Zipf.
"The Governor’s veto today keeps New Jersey's eye on the prize -- environmentally and economically, we need to be developing clean renewable energy and becoming more energy efficient instead of relying on dirty and dangerous options like liquid natural gas on the Jersey Shore," said Dave Pringle, Director of the New Jersey Environmental Federation.
"The decision to veto the Liberty natural gas project protects the Jersey shore and decreases our reliance on fossil fuels. New Jersey is a leader in the renewable energy industry and the Governor's veto today helps us maintain this leadership position," said William Schulte, an attorney with the Eastern Environmental Law Center.
The next step, now that this latest battle is over, is to call upon our federal officials to step up and act to permanently protect our waters. They must pass federal legislation permanently protect our ocean waters off the New Jersey and New York coast from these and other types of harmful activities by making it a Clean Ocean Zone.
Offshore Liquified Natural Gas Project Background: Three liquefied natural gas import facilities were pending off the Jersey Shore: Liberty Natural Gas, four snake-like buoy/turret moorings off Asbury Park; Atlantic Sea Island Group, which proposed to build an island in the ocean off Sea Bright, NJ; and Exxon Mobile’s Blue Ocean Energy project which was planning to install an experimental massive storage facility off Sea Girt. Following the Governors announcement, and changes to the global LNG market, the latter two companies withdrew their plans last year. Only Liberty Natural Gas proceeded, taunting the Governor’s promise of a veto.
Resources and Links
Governor Christie's Release
Governor Christie's Statement
Thank Governor Christie and DEP Commisioner Bob Martin for keeping their word and stopping Liberty Natural Gas and all LNG projects off NJ and NY.
By mail or phone:
Office of the Governor
PO Box 001
Trenton, NJ 08625
609-292-6000
Bob Martin, Commissioner
401 E. State St.
7th Floor, East Wing
P.O. Box 402
Trenton, NJ 08625-0402
609-292-2885
Find out more about Clean Ocean Action
Keep our ocean wild & industry free!
Stay informed and involved in future Clean Ocean Zone activities.
