LONG ISLAND, NY — Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on November 12 vetoed the Port Ambrose Liquefied Natural Gas Deepwater Port, a proposed natural port that would have been located about 17 miles south of Long Island. The company that wanted to build it said it would be used to, “deliver additional, diverse supplies of natural gas directly into the growing markets in the downstate, New York City and Long Island areas to help meet existing and future load requirements, particularly during periods of peak winter and summer demand.”

But critics, including environmental groups in the Upper Delaware Valley, maintained the real purpose of the facility would be ultimately to apply to become an export facility. That would allow the owners to turn fracked natural gas from Pennsylvania and elsewhere into liquid natural gas (LNG), and ship it to Europe and Japan, where the price of gas is much higher than it is here. The process of turning gas into LNG involves cooling the gas to 260 degrees below zero, and critics say it carries many risks.

In issuing the veto, Cuomo cited 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 Cuomo and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.

“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 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.”

Ramsay Adams, executive director of Catskill Mountainkeeper, said, “This is a huge victory, and I am proud of Mountainkeeper’s work to rally the public outcry that helped convince the Governor to do the right thing and say ‘no’ to this reckless project. Port Ambrose would have threatened coastal communities in Queens, Brooklyn and Long Island with the risk of catastrophic spills and explosions and endanger treasured marine ecosystems.”

The No LNG Port Ambrose Coalition also included Catskill Citizens for Safe Energy.