Lynbrook Leaders Seek End to Natural Gas Moratorium

SEATTLE (Oil Monster):  A group of Lynbrook elected officials and business owners called for an end to National Grid’s moratorium on new natural gas service Wednesday, while many voiced support for the pipeline expansion that would increase the supply of natural gas to Long Island.

The Lynbrook group is the latest of several area development and business groups that have been pushing for a solution of the stalemate that’s stalled the controversial $1 billion Williams Transco natural gas pipeline project.

National Grid says the pipeline expansion, also known as the Northeast Supply Enhancement Project, would increase capacity in the area by 14 percent, delivering 400 million cubic feet of natural gas per day.

The project, a 24-mile expansion of the existing pipeline, would run 17 miles underwater, stretching from New Jersey under New York Bay to another existing pipeline off the Rockaways. However, the state Department of Environmental Conservation denied the project’s application in May, causing the utility to impose a moratorium on new natural gas service.

Stephen Wangel, president of the Lynbrook Chamber of Commerce, said that small business and the middle class have become collateral damage in the fight for the pipeline project.

“Because of this freeze on new service, restaurants can’t get the needed gas supply to cook and heat their facilities,” Wangel said. “This translates into vacant store fronts, loss of employment and desolate downtowns.”

Alan Beach, mayor of the Village of Lynbrook, said the natural gas moratorium threatens to derail the local economy and reverse strides made in revitalizing Lynbrook’s downtown.

“While we should always be open to new forms of renewable and clean energy that will help power our cities and towns while leaving a minimal impact on our planet, we cannot allow petty politics or big egos to derail our local economy,” Beach said. “Today, I am calling on officials from the state and the energy company to do the right thing and deliver gas to these businesses while they work together on a longer term solution we can all live with.”

Courtesy: www.libn.com