high res - TradeWinds

Need For The Project
Supply
According to the EIA’s AEO 2005, natural gas consumption in the U.S. is currently about 23 trillion cubic feet
(tcf ) per year and is expected to increase to about 31 tcf per year by 2025. Traditional natural gas supplies from
the Gulf Coast and western Canada will meet only 75% of this increase in demand, necessitating the acquisition
of additional supplies from Alaska and from other parts of the world in the form of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
In order to offset the imbalance between domestic supply and consumer demand, LNG imports to the U.S. are
projected to increase from 0.4 tcf in 2003 to more than 6.4 tcf by 2025.
The U.S., and in particular the New York and Connecticut region, face a critical period in meeting the energy
needs of consumers over the next 10 to 15 years. The New York and Connecticut region does not have its own
indigenous supply of natural gas, and as a result depends on supplies that must travel through thousands of miles
of pipelines from producing regions in the Gulf of Mexico and Canada. During peak periods of demand, such as
cold winter or hot summer days, the lack of local supply and the extensive natural gas pipeline network already
operating at capacity results in high and volatile natural gas prices. Put more simply – the region faces an
increasing imbalance between supply and demand.
The need to address these issues of increasing price levels and volatility has been noted recently in the New York
Independent System Operators’ recent publication Power Trends 2005: “The nation in general, and the Northeast
in particular, must fashion an effective fuel diversity strategy for dealing with the increasing use and dwindling domestic
reserves of natural gas.”
The lack of local supply and gas pipelines that are operating at
capacity results in high and volatile natural gas prices.
New York City
Connecticut
SOURCE: Energy Information Administration
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Broadwater
Consumers would benefit in a number of ways from a new LNG import facility. First, local LNG supplies
would diversify natural gas supplies that originate in Western Canada and the Gulf Coast. Currently, Western
Canada and the Gulf Coast supply 85% of the gas consumed in the area. Second, a Broadwater facility would
reduce the need for future natural gas pipeline expansions that have proven difficult to build into the New York
and New England markets. Lack of ability to expand regional pipeline capacity has been one of the key
underlying causes of volatile prices in the region. And third, Broadwater would help stop the trend of escalating
energy prices by adding a volume of natural gas that
would be the equivalent of 25% of the average daily
Broadwater would help stop the trend of
natural gas consumption in the region. This additional
escalating energy prices by adding a
volume would actually reduce overall energy prices
volume of natural gas that would be the
from where they would otherwise be and yield cost
equivalent of 25% of the average daily
savings to all consumers.
natural gas consumption in the region.
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FERC APPLICATION OVERVIEW
Broadwater Energy, a joint venture between TransCanada PipeLines (TCPL USA LNG, Inc.), and Shell US Gas
& Power LLC, is filing an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) seeking all of the
necessary authorizations to construct and operate a marine liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal and connecting
pipeline for the importation, storage, regasification and transportation of natural gas.
Broadwater began the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) pre-file process in November 2004. Since that
time, Broadwater has met with hundreds of individuals, organizations, agencies and governments on Long Island,
in Connecticut and New York City. Input from these meetings, and from substantial technical studies and research
is captured in the following Resource Reports to be filed as part of the application to the FERC.
Resource Report 1 – General Project Description
Resource Report 2 – Water Use and Quality
Resource Report 3 – Fish, Vegetation and Wildlife
Resource Report 4 – Cultural Resources
Resource Report 5 – Socioeconomics
Resource Report 6 – Geological Resources
Resource Report 7 – Soils
Resource Report 8 – Land Use, Recreation and Aesthetics
Resource Report 9 – Air and Noise Quality
Resource Report 10 – Alternatives
Resource Report 11 – Safety and Reliability
Resource Report 12 – PCB Contamination (not applicable to Broadwater)
Resource Report 13 – Engineering and Design Material
The Resource Reports are available to view and download from the FERC website at www.elibrary.ferc.gov.
After Broadwater submits its application, the FERC will conduct an independent review of the project. During
the course of this review, the FERC will release a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for public
comment. Those comments will be incorporated into the final EIS. FERC will consider the findings of the final
EIS and any subsequent comments in its decision on whether to approve the project. The U.S. Coast Guard will
also play a major role in this review process.
Concurrent with the FERC review process, the project will apply for additional state and federal permits and
approvals required to site, construct and operate the project. These processes will consider many issues
including the consistency of the Broadwater project with state coastal zone policies, air and water impacts,
and impacts on marine habitat. Responsible agencies include the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, New York Department of Environmental Conservation, New York
Department of State, and New York Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation.
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Regulatory Timeline
2003
2004
2005
Public
Announcement
Feasibility
Studies
(22 months)
2006
2007
Submit
Application
2008
2009
Permit
Approval
Public Consultation
Regulartory Review and Permit
(30 - 35 months)
2010
First
Delivery
FSRU Design &
Construction
(30 months)
Pipeline
Construction
(6 months)
FSRU
Tow/Install
(6 months)
Stakeholder engagement continues throughout the life of the project.
Project Overview
The proposed Broadwater LNG terminal will be located in the Long Island Sound, approximately 9 miles from
the shore of Long Island in New York State waters. It will be designed to receive, store and regasify LNG at an
average throughput of 1.0 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) and will be capable of delivering a peak throughput
of 1.25 bcfd. The average throughput is enough to meet approximately 25% of Long Island, New York City and
southern Connecticut’s daily demand. At peak send-out, this is enough natural gas to generate 5800 Megawatts
of electricity, which is equivalent to 50% of the gas-fired electric generation in New York City, Long Island and
southern Connecticut.
Broadwater’s proposed FSRU siting area and pipeline route.
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The proposed LNG terminal will consist of a Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) that is
approximately 1,215 feet long, 200 feet wide and rises approximately 80 feet above the water line to the trunk
deck. The FSRU’s draft is approximately 40 feet and will float in water that is about 90 feet deep.
Artist’s rendition of FSRU (port side) and mooring.
The FSRU will be built to conform to applicable regulations and standards, including International Maritime
Organization standards. A third-party ship classification society such as the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)
will verify and certify the final design and construction. Primary FSRU components, which are discussed in greater
detail in the Resource Reports, include:
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
Yoke Mooring System
LNG Storage and Vaporization Facilities
LNG Receiving Facilities
Power Generation
Ballasting System
Crew Accommodations and Command and Control Facilities
Safety Systems
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The FSRU will be designed with a net storage capacity of approximately 350,000 cubic meters (m3) of LNG
(equivalent to 8 billion cubic feet of natural gas).
The LNG will be delivered to the FSRU in LNG carriers two to three times per week. A typical LNG carrier can
deliver about 140,000 m3 of LNG. The size of the LNG carriers is consistent with that of other commercial ships
that regularly transit the Sound.
Artist’s rendition of the Broadwater FSRU with a docked LNG carrier.
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The FSRU will be held in place using a yoke mooring system (YMS) that is attached to a stationary tower structure
secured to the seafloor by four legs. This stationary tower serves the dual purposes of: (1) securing the FSRU so
that it can pivot around the tower in response to the prevailing wind, current and wave conditions around the
tower and (2) providing the support structure for connecting the FSRU to the send-out pipeline. The total open
space area under the tower structure will be approximately 13,180 square feet.
Underwater view of the FSRU and mooring system.
Broadwater will warm the LNG back into a gas and deliver the regasified LNG to the existing Iroquois pipeline
that serves both Connecticut and New York. Broadwater and the Iroquois pipeline will be linked together with
a 30-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline installed beneath the seafloor and extending from the mooring system to
a subsea interconnection with the Iroquois Gas Transmission System (Iroquois pipeline), approximately 22 miles
west of the proposed FSRU site.
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ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS
Broadwater evaluated potential alternatives to its proposed LNG terminal in Long Island Sound to determine
whether there are viable, environmentally preferable alternatives that could deliver an adequate amount of safe,
reliable energy to supply the New York and Connecticut region.
Renewable Energy and Conservation
Shell and TransCanada are both actively involved in the development of renewable sources of energy and have
spent over a billion dollars in the past five years on development of these technologies. Even so, renewable energy
systems cannot be expected to meet the anticipated energy needs of the region.
Conservation and renewable energy initiatives will not eliminate
the need for Broadwater. Projections continue to indicate that
the demand for energy, and specifically natural gas, will outpace
cost-effective programs designed to stimulate energy
conservation.
Conservation and renewable
energy initiatives will not
eliminate the need for Broadwater.
Additional Pipeline Infrastructure
The New York and Connecticut region receives natural gas from pipelines that extend over 1,000 miles from the
existing natural gas producing regions in North America. For the most part, these pipelines are full and operate
at capacity during peak winter conditions. The supply of natural gas from the producing regions is not projected
to keep pace with the increase in demand for natural gas.
Broadwater considered the feasibility of using or expanding existing natural gas pipelines to provide an additional
supply of natural gas to the region. However, expansions of existing pipeline infrastructure would only access
diminishing continental supplies, and not provide the additional 1 bcfd of new, reliable, long-term, and
competitively priced natural gas that Broadwater would supply. Expanding the pipeline network without new
gas supply would be like putting another straw into a bottle; you simply draw more liquid at a faster rate from
the bottle. Broadwater would bring a new supply of natural gas to the region. It would be analogous to filling
the bottle.
Other Proposed LNG Terminals
Other LNG terminals have been proposed within the U.S. but none would serve the New York and Connecticut
markets directly. These facilities are designed to serve other markets and cannot meet the current and projected
demands of the New York/Connecticut market. Even if one or more of these other facilities were permitted, the
lack of excess pipeline capacity, particularly during winter demand, would prevent a significant quantity of
natural gas from reaching New York and Connecticut. The construction of many miles of incremental pipeline
infrastructure necessary to transport the natural gas from these other proposed LNG facilities to the New
York/Connecticut region would result in significantly greater environmental impact when compared
to Broadwater.
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Onshore or Offshore
As part of its evaluation of alternatives, Broadwater examined the feasibility of constructing an onshore LNG
terminal. Broadwater considered a number of potential sites in New York and Connecticut, including Block Island
and Plum Island, to deliver natural gas to the New York/Connecticut market. In selecting an offshore location,
Broadwater will avoid disturbing sensitive near shore and shoreline environments. By connecting with the already
existing Iroquois pipeline system, Broadwater will also avoid the need to build additional pipeline infrastructure
such as compressor stations or additional pipelines that would cross the shoreline environments.
Offshore Alternatives
In addition to the Long Island Sound, Broadwater considered potential locations within the Atlantic Ocean and
Block Island Sound. Both locations presented two significant issues: reliability of the gas supply and gas pipeline
construction impacts. Weather and marine related conditions in Block Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean
would result in significant periods when LNG carriers would be unable to unload cargo. This downtime would
compromise supply reliability. Furthermore, sites in the Block Island
Sound and Atlantic Ocean area would require a significantly longer
In selecting an offshore
pipeline, compressor stations, beach crossings and onshore disruptions.
location, Broadwater will
avoid disturbing sensitive
After evaluating potential locations throughout Long Island Sound,
near shore and shoreline
Broadwater determined that from an environmental and safety
environments.
standpoint, a more centralized site in the Sound is preferred because it
maximizes the distance from shore, and therefore lessens impact on
populated areas and current offshore uses of the Sound. Additionally, siting in the central Sound does not interfere
with the increased recreational and commercial activities that are more prevalent in the western portion and
shoreline areas within the Sound.
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SAFETY AND SECURITY
Safety, security and reliability are top priorities for Broadwater. The FSRU will have stringent security measures,
technologies, and procedures that will meet or exceed international and federal requirements.
The FSRU’s remote location near the center of the Sound provides an added degree of safety beyond the
stringent standards associated with onshore LNG facilities. LNG tankers will be able to approach the facility
through established shipping routes, which are currently traveled annually by some 2,000 commercial vessels,
including oil tankers.
Broadwater is also important from a national energy security perspective, because it represents a step toward the
geographic diversification of America’s energy infrastructure. Currently, almost all the natural gas consumed by the
New York City, Long Island and Connecticut region comes from the Gulf of Mexico and Canada. Being situated
at the end of a long pipeline distribution system, this region is dependent on those pipeline systems and the
extensive oil and gas production infrastructure serving these pipelines. Disruption of these systems, as in the case
of the recent hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico, negatively impacts this region’s energy prices and supply.
The Broadwater FSRU is unlikely to be an attractive terrorist target, based on the best available understanding
of terrorist targeting priorities. Terrorist organizations seek to attack targets in major population centers, causing
highly visible damage and disruption, and large numbers of casualties. Examples of these types of targets include
the hotels in Amman, Jordan; the London underground and bus system; and the Madrid rail system, all of which
were recently targeted by terrorists. The Broadwater FSRU, located far offshore with a small crew, does not fit
this profile.
Broadwater, its team of security advisors, and the
relevant regulatory agencies will continue to work
together to ensure that the facility is safe and secure, and
to minimize any risks to the public.
The Broadwater FSRU is being designed
with highly-developed security and
safety technology and its crew will be
trained to high standards.
Liquefied Natural Gas: A Strong Safety Record
LNG is a colorless, odorless, and non-toxic liquid. It is transported and stored at atmospheric pressure at a very
low temperature and is not compressed. If LNG is spilled on water, it floats on top of the water and vaporizes
quickly – there is no slick as there would be with oil. Natural gas is flammable, but does not explode if ignited in
the open. Thus, if LNG is spilled on water and the resulting gas is ignited, a fast-burning “pool fire” can occur,
leaving no residue and burning out extremely quickly, compared to other hydrocarbons. The marine transport of
LNG has a strong safety and security record of approximately 80,000 carrier voyages over 40 years, covering over
100 million miles without major accidents or security incidents. Today, more than 150 LNG carriers safely
transport more than 108 million tons of LNG annually to ports around the world. The LNG shipping safety
record is attributable to continuously improving technology, comprehensive safety procedures, training,
maintenance and effective government regulation.
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Few accidents have occurred in the history of the marine transportation of LNG, and none of these accidents
resulted in the failure of a cargo tank and a major release of LNG or a fatality directly attributable to LNG.
Significant accidents have occurred at LNG onshore facilities, most notably at Cleveland, Ohio in 1944, which
was the result of incompatible steel used for cryogenic service, and at a liquefaction plant in Skikda, Algeria in
2004. As a result of modern metallurgy and equipment, and highly-developed monitoring and safety technology
and procedures, these types of incidents would not occur at the Broadwater facility.
The Broadwater FSRU is being engineered specifically to survive the strong wind and wave conditions associated
with storms or hurricanes. The weather conditions in this part of the Northeastern U.S. are relatively benign
compared to the locations where other floating production and storage facilities typically operate or where LNG
carriers transit. However, the Broadwater design criteria for the FSRU’s mooring system exceeds the more typical
“100-year storm event” to include storm scenarios well in excess of those experienced in the history of the region.
Hazard Distances and Consequences
The offshore location of the proposed Broadwater facility provides the public with an additional layer of safety, in
the very unlikely event of an accident or intentional incident, beyond the exacting standards applied to onshore
LNG facilities.
This conclusion is supported by a 2004 U.S. Department of Energy-sponsored study performed by Sandia
National Laboratories. The Sandia Report provides a state-of-the-art analysis of the risks and consequences of an
LNG spill over water.
The Sandia Report found that risks from accidental LNG spills are “small and manageable” and that “risks from
intentional events, such as terrorist attacks, can be significantly reduced with appropriate security, planning,
prevention and mitigation.” The report concludes that the most significant risks from an LNG spill would exist
within 1,500 feet of the event.
In a worst case scenario, which the report stresses is highly unlikely, the maximum danger distance of an unignited
vapor cloud is approximately 2.25 miles. The risk of such an event occurring under the Report’s assumption of
perfect atmospheric conditions is extremely low. Because the Broadwater facility will be located nine miles from
the nearest shore, even this highly unlikely scenario does not present a threat to the general public.
Local, State, and Federal Law Enforcement
Under current laws, the U.S. Coast Guard will have the primary regulatory responsibility for the security of the
FSRU. The U.S. Coast Guard is already involved in reviewing the results of Broadwater’s ongoing analysis and
modeling and has the power to implement a maritime safety and security zone around the FSRU and transiting
LNG Carriers if it deems such zones necessary. The U.S. Coast Guard can also mandate various security and safety
measures, and provide or support resources to protect the facility and the LNG carriers that supply it.
Incoming LNG carriers, all of which must be certified according to international standards, are routinely inspected
by the U.S. Coast Guard and are required to hold a valid U.S. Coast Guard issued Certificate of Compliance
before operating in US waters. As part of Homeland Security requirements, the U.S. Coast Guard will determine
the level of security screening required for each vessel arrival according to established internal procedures and the
current Security Threat status. Careful vetting and background checks will be conducted on all FSRU employees,
along with stringent training requirements in basic operations, as well as security, safety and emergency response.
Broadwater is committed to working closely with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to keep them
informed and prepared, and cooperate on emergency planning.
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Safety and Security Operating Standards
Broadwater will have very stringent safety and security operating standards and protocols. Some of these standards
and protocols are not yet finalized, as the U.S. Coast Guard will determine a number of requirements and
recommendations related to security and safety. The Broadwater team will work with the U.S. Coast Guard, state
and local public safety officials, as well as other security and safety experts, to employ the most appropriate and
robust security and safety measures for the FSRU.
A number of determinations have already been made, including:
n Dedicated tugboats with fire-fighting capabilities will support the FSRU. Broadwater will likely be responsible
for providing its own emergency response capabilities, including fire, first aid and security resources.
n It is Broadwater’s intention that only one LNG carrier associated with Broadwater’s operations be allowed in the
Sound at a time.
n The crew will be trained to high standards on security and safety, and will be regularly drilled in emergency
response.
n The FSRU crew will continuously monitor all safety and security aspects of the operation, utilizing
sophisticated systems.
n Broadwater will work with local, State and Federal law enforcement and emergency response agencies to ensure
that a strong, coordinated emergency management plan exists.
Engineering/Technology
Although the Broadwater terminal may be among the first FSRUs in operation, each of the technologies and
components involved are tried, tested, and reliable. Floating offshore facilities similar to the FSRU have been
employed around the world for more than 25 years and
have a proven track record of safe operation, with some
operating continuously in severe weather conditions.
The FSRU will incorporate many of the same safety
features as an LNG carrier, particularly with regard to the
double hull and containment systems, which will be
constructed according to the same standards as an
oceangoing vessel. The FSRU will be moored in place
using a proven “soft yoke mooring system” that allows the
FSRU to weathervane, or rotate, around the mooring
tower base. This type of mooring system is used in some
of the most severe-weather areas of marine operations. The
FSRU’s processing equipment utilizes the same types of
vaporization and other equipment currently in use at
onshore terminals.
The LNG would be stored in a
double-hulled containment system.
The FSRU design will incorporate highly-developed, robust security and safety systems, including intruder
detection, hazard detection, fire suppression and emergency shutdown.
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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND BENEFITS
Broadwater recognizes that the project is proposed in an area of aesthetic, environmental and economic value.
Broadwater can be designed, constructed and operated in a way that is consistent with these values and achieves
energy reliability and security while advancing the region’s environmental and economic goals.
Air
Broadwater will use advanced technology to ensure the FSRU attains the ‘lowest achievable emissions rate’ in
compliance with federal and state requirements. Natural gas is a clean-burning fossil fuel. By delivering a
substantial new supply of natural gas, Broadwater will make a significant contribution in helping the region
repower the older oil- and coal-power generation facilities
with natural gas. Repowering with natural gas will
Broadwater represents a significant
considerably reduce SOx, NOx and particulate emissions
step toward helping the region
into the atmosphere.
repower the older oil- and coal-power
generation facilities
Water
One of Broadwater’s key objectives is to avoid or
minimize any potential impacts to the water quality of Long Island Sound. With careful preparation, planning
and choice of technologies, impacts during construction of the pipeline are expected to be minor, localized and
short term, and are related primarily to the temporary resuspension of bottom sediments in conjunction with the
excavation of the pipeline trench.
Impacts associated with the operations will be primarily associated with the routine intake and discharge of water
from the FSRU. Any water discharge from the FSRU must meet all applicable federal and state discharge
standards. Any discharge not capable of meeting the applicable standards will be held on board the FSRU and
shipped to shore for disposal at an approved facility.
Marine Environment and Fishing
Impacts during construction are expected to be minor, localized and short-term, resulting from the installation of
the pipeline and mooring. Impacts are related primarily to the temporary resuspension of bottom sediments in
conjunction with the excavation of the pipeline trench and the temporary disruption to marine users during
pipeline installation.
The FSRU has been sited to minimize impact to the fishing community. In fact, after consultation with local
fishing interests, Broadwater moved the proposed FSRU site to the west of the initial location to further minimize
impacts on commercial fishing activities.
Positive impacts will result from the diversification of habitat within the Sound, with the FSRU creating shaded
habitat and additional structure in the central portion of the Sound in an area that is relatively homogenous in
terms of habitat availability.
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To avoid the most sensitive time for biological activity in the Sound, construction of the pipeline and mooring
tower will be conducted during the winter months. Broadwater will maintain an open dialogue with fishermen
throughout the lifetime of the project to avoid or minimize impacts.
Noise
Noise is not expected to be a problem either during construction or while in operation. Broadwater’s construction
noise will be consistent with existing noise levels that result from normal operations currently in the Sound. The
noise generated by routine activities on the FSRU will be negligible, as will that of the LNG carriers.
Visual
The proposed FSRU has been sited near the center of the Sound at its widest point, in part, to maximize the
distance from any coastal vantage point and minimize potential visual impact on coastal resources. The LNG
terminal will be approximately nine miles from the nearest coastal vantage point. Broadwater has undertaken an
extensive Visual Resource Assessment (VRA) that evaluates the potential visibility of the proposed project and
objectively determines the difference in the visual characteristics of the water-based setting with and without the
project in place. The process follows basic techniques of the New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation Program Policy “Assessing and Mitigating Visual Impacts” in order to identify and mitigate impacts.
Findings from the VRA show that the vast majority of views of the proposed FSRU will be limited to immediate
shoreline locations. In most locations, views of the FSRU are reduced or eliminated by dense coastal vegetation,
topography and onshore structures.
While the color scheme of the FSRU and mooring has not been determined, there are options available. For
example, shades of gray can be used to minimize contrast between the LNG terminal and the washed out distant
blue – gray colors of the background as well as the foreground waters of the Sound. These factors combine to
minimize visual distinction and perceived importance of the project within the context of the regional landscape
and waterscape.
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CT COAST:
20+- miles (visible)
CT COAST:
21+- miles (visible)
FSRU 9.2 miles
View from Long Island
Photo simulation view of FSRU and Connecticut from Wading River Beach shoreline, Wading River, NY
LI COAST:
20+- miles (visible)
FSRU 10.0 miles
LI COAST:
19+- miles (visible)
LI COAST:
20+- miles (visible)
View from Connecticut
Photo simulation view of FSRU and Long Island coastline from East Haven, CT shoreline
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Pipeline construction
Broadwater will install 22 miles of interconnecting pipeline from the FSRU location to the existing Iroquois
system, avoiding any onshore and nearshore impacts.
Broadwater’s preferred pipeline installation method, subject to approval by regulatory authorities, will include
the use of a slow-speed, low-energy subsea plow to lower the pipe beneath the seabed at a minimum depth of
5 feet for the first 2 miles and a minimum of 3 feet for the remainder. This method would prevent significant
introduction of sediment into the water column, and avoid impact to the ecosystem outside the pipeline
corridor. Unlike jetting or dredging activities, subsea plowing releases only minimal amounts of sediment into
the water column. Sediment disruption attributed to anchor placements and cable sweep will also be minor,
localized and short-term. Broadwater will use midline buoys to further minimize the impact from cable sweep.
Broadwater proposes to use a conventional 8-point mooring lay barge, with eight anchor placements every
mile along the pipeline route. The trench created by the subsea plow will be allowed to backfill naturally
though sediment deposition, which is expected to occur over an approximate 36-month period. Natural
backfill minimizes the need for another pass of the installation vessel and additional sediment disturbance
associated with mechanical backfill techniques.
It is possible, but not probable, that an alternative method may be required in the Stratford Shoal area, due to
the presence of hard materials. If subsea plowing cannot be used within this area, Broadwater will dredge a
trench. If this method were used, the dredged material would be captured and placed on a hopper barge rather
than being cast to the side of the trench. This technique will ensure that dredged soils are disposed of in an
approved dredge disposal area. After pipeline installation, the trench would be backfilled with imported
clean material.
LNG Carrier Traffic
Broadwater expects to receive two to three deliveries of LNG cargo a week. This would result in a potential
increase of some 150 vessels per year into the Sound. This is consistent with the current uses of the Sound,
where there are currently over 700 large vessels, as well as 1,500 smaller commercial vessels that traverse the
Sound each year.
Social Investment Program
Our goal is to ensure that the Long Island Sound region is healthier as a result of Broadwater’s operations. One
of the ways we plan to meet this goal is by establishing a social investment program that would be used to
support Long Island Sound habitat enhancement. The projects will be selected in consultation with
stakeholders to ensure the maximum benefit for the Long Island Sound. Projects could include marine habitat
restoration, initiatives and educational programs.
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Hard copies are available on request