Feds OK LNG terminal between N.Y., Conn.

WASHINGTON – Federal energy regulators on Thursday approved a $700 million liquefied natural gas terminal proposed for Long Island Sound, a facility opposed by the state of Connecticut and other critics who say it would damage the environment and be vulnerable to a terrorist attack.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission voted 5-0 to approve the terminal, which would be located 9 miles from Long Island and 10 miles from Connecticut. FERC says it would be the first floating terminal in the U.S. for storage and delivery of natural gas.

The project cannot go up without approval from New York officials, who have yet to decide whether to grant it. Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said he plans to ask for an immediate rehearing on FERC’s decision and will take the state’s arguments to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary.

AP