NY Governor Cuomo Vetoes Port Ambrose LNG Project

zoom New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has vetoed the Port Ambrose Liquefied Natural Gas Deepwater Port project, citing security and economic concerns along with the potential to negatively impact off-shore wind development.  The project, which had been proposed by Liberty Natural Gas, LLC, required approval from both Governor Cuomo and New Jersey Governor Christie under the federal Deepwater Port Act. Governor Cuomo detailed his full position in a letter sent to the U.S. Maritime Administration. “My administration carefully reviewed this project from all angles, and we have determined that the security and economic risks far outweigh any potential benefits,” said Governor Cuomo. “Superstorm Sandy taught us how quickly things can go from bad to worse when major infrastructure fails – and the potential for disaster with this project during extreme weather or amid other security risks is simply unacceptable. Port Ambrose would also hinder the local maritime economy in a way that negatively impacts businesses throughout Long Island, and that is simply unacceptable. This is a common-sense decision, because vetoing this project is in the best interests of New Yorkers.” The vetoed project proposed for the construction of a deepwater port consisting of a submerged buoy system for natural gas deliveries that was to be located in federal waters approximately 19 miles from the New York shore. Liberty Natural Gas had already chosen APL of Norway to construct the submerged buoy system as well as the equipment required to connect the vessels to the buoys when calling at Port Ambrose. Liberty Natural Gas also planned for LNG supplies to arrive at Port Ambrose via specially designed Shuttle & Regasification Vessels (SRVs). The company had earlier partnered up with Norways Höegh LNG on the construction of the SRVs. The ports projected capacity was 400 million cubic feet of LNG per day, delivered via a new twenty-two mile subsea pipeline that was to connect offshore into the existing Transco Lower New York Bay Lateral pipeline serving Long Island and New York.