A
bill that could effectively stop plans to build a liquefied natural gas
import along the banks of the Taunton River has received the signature
of Gov. Deval Patrick.
The bill, sponsored by state Rep. David Sullivan and co-sponsored by
the entire Fall River delegation, requires LNG import terminals to have
a minimum distance of 5,000 feet from the center of an LNG tank to the
nearest residential home, elderly housing complex, school, hospital,
health care facility, business or development.
A second provision in the bill requires LNG tankers to maintain a
1,500-foot clearance along the shore as it travels any Massachusetts
waterway, from the hull to nearest residential home, elderly housing
complex, school, hospital, health care facility, business or
development.
The act only applies to LNG import terminals constructed after Jan. 1, 2007.
Sullivan said the bill’s approval serves as an important step in
stopping Weaver’s Cove Energy’s plans to construct its terminal.
“This means a lot to Fall River to provide the protection the city
deserves,” Sullivan said. “Most of all, I am grateful to the governor
for following through and caring about the people of Fall River.”
Patrick spokeswoman Rebecca Deusser said the governor signed the bill
because it would protect Fall River, while still permitting the state
to consider other options for LNG terminals.
“Liquefied natural gas continues to be an important part of the
commonwealth’s statewide energy plan, but there are also serious
potential health and safety risks posed by LNG terminals and tankers,”
Deusser said. “Gov. Patrick questions the wisdom of siting new LNG
terminals in close proximity to densely populated areas, and he is
particularly concerned about the project proposed in Fall River. This
bill will help to protect the citizens of the commonwealth from these
risks, and will specifically address the Fall River project without
imposing a blanket prohibition on the appropriate siting of LNG
terminals.”
Deusser said Patrick signed the bill and included a letter saying LNG
is still in the state’s plans. A copy of Patrick’s letter was not
available Thursday night.
James Grasso, whose firm represents Weaver’s Cove Energy, said the bill will cause hardship for property owners.
“I think it’s very unfortunate that the senor citizens and remaining
consumers of natural gas continue to face the devastatingly high
electrical and natural gas costs in the commonwealth,” Grasso said.
“This bill only ensures that the poor and middle class may very well
face situations where they will have to choose between food and heat
this winter.”
Sullivan has worked for 31/2 years to pass the buffer zone bill. When
filing the bill in 2005, Sullivan said the distances were based on
studies such as the federally commissioned Sandia Report, which details
the dangers associated with LNG.
The bill was stalled in a joint legislative committee in 2006 as questions developed over jurisdiction of waterways.
Sullivan said he couldn’t pinpoint what the difference is this year
that resulted in the bill’s passage, but suggested that as fellow
legislators are learning more about the Weaver’s Cove Energy proposal
they are jumping on board to stop the project.
“All I can say is, I’m just really thankful that we’ve reached the point this will be written into law,” Sullivan said.
E-mail Will Richmond at wrichmond@heraldnews.com
