The Weaver’s Cove LNG plan is a net loss for R.I.

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On the face of it, the Hess LNG plan for Mount Hope Bay might appeal to some who hope it will offer cheaper natural gas and a few new jobs. But, before swallowing these claims hook, line and sinker, let’s look carefully at what Hess is promising, what it is truly able to deliver and compare it with what the proposal puts at risk.
As we enter our 40th year, Save The Bay remains committed to defending what is considered to be of one America’s most beautiful and productive estuaries. Narragansett Bay is our greatest natural resource. It also is our greatest economic resource, and the quality of life the bay provides is considered a key factor in attracting and retaining businesses.
On March 29, I participated in a public forum hosted by The Alliance for a Livable Newport at the Community College of Rhode Island’s Newport campus. I heard Hess President Gordon Shearer make promises he made recently on the pages of Providence Business News. He promised lower gas prices, high-paying jobs and energy security for the region.
He promised that the project will not be too disruptive. That security exclusion zones will not be too restrictive. That environmental impacts won’t be too serious. That there is no real risk.
Mr. Shearer is in no position to make any of these promises, because he’s presuming outcomes that he does not and cannot control.
He says if natural gas prices were to fall 5 percent on average it would equate to millions in savings for consumers. But those listening carefully know that multiple factors beyond Hess’ control influence and determine pricing.
Mr. Shearer presumes the right to dredge 191 acres of the bay, including 73 acres of essential winter flounder spawning habitat. We are offended that he defends the permanent destruction of habitat based on his view that over-fishing by greedy fishermen is the cause of reduced winter flounder populations, that winter flounder are a lost cause. We beg to differ.
He presumes the right to exclusively occupy public-trust waters, pointing to other commercial boats and ships that operate on the bay. Which ones, we ask, grab acres of the bay as their own, destroy marine habitat and declare some waters forever off limits? Answer: None. The proposal is for 70 tankers per year – that’s 140 transits up and down the East Passage and 140 bridge closures. One promise Gordon Shearer is not making, however, is that Hess will never increase the number of tanker deliveries beyond 70.
These disruptions will conflict with the balanced use of the bay we now enjoy. Bridge closings will have an enormous effect on businesses that cross the Pell and/or Mt. Hope bridges on a routine business day and will no doubt discourage tourists. Mr. Shearer insists that there is no federal mandate for closing bridges. While true, he merely sidesteps the fact that the R.I. Turnpike and Bridge Authority controls bridge closings and the RITBA board is unequivocal: The bridges will close.
He presumes that the increasing domestic supply of natural gas and four competing LNG facilities now serving New England will not affect his projections. He presumes energy conservation measures and investments in renewable energy won’t reduce demand for gas.
We do not agree. We believe the energy needs of Rhode Island and Massachusetts can be met without sacrificing Narragansett Bay.
Save The Bay counts among its allies clubs and organizations representing more than 100,000 members – organizations ranging from the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association to the Preservation Society of Newport County – who oppose the project. The Newport Chamber of Commerce, and the Newport and Bristol County Convention and Visitors Bureau both believe Hess LNG would harm tourism, the state’s second-largest industry.
Lastly, Gordon Shearer promises jobs. And when operational, the Weaver’s Cove terminal would employ roughly 35 people, in Massachusetts.
If Hess LNG harms the environment, compromises Narragansett Bay and undermines tourism in the Ocean State (costing some people their jobs), the math suggests we’ll suffer a net job loss.
Hess LNG is wrong for the bay and wrong for the state. &#8226


Jonathan Stone is executive director of Save The Bay.

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