Fall River-- On the eve of a decision from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Weaver's Cove President Ted Gehrig and state Rep. David Sullivan repeated some well-known arguments during a panel discussion at the Advanced Technology and Manufacturing Center Wednesday.
"This is all about money," Sullivan said. "This is all about profit. And it shouldn't be people's lives that are put on the line for this."
Today, FERC will decide on Fall River's request for a rehearing of that agency's June 30 decision to site a liquefied natural gas terminal in Fall River.
"What we have to have here is a fact-based discussion," Gehrig said, adding that "misinformation spreads because people don't know much about LNG.
"You don't fill up your car with LNG," Gehrig said.
Gehrig stressed the need for LNG in America, particularly in this area.
"There's not a lot of vague about the need to import LN G into the country," Gehrig said, pointing our that the United States has 29 percent of the world's demand for LNG, but only 4 percent of the world's gas reserves.
The men disagreed about almost every aspect of the proposed facility, from its safety to whether this is the best site for such a terminal
Sullivan said remote or off-shore sites were preferable to sites near densely populated areas.
Gehrig said environmental issues make it tremendously difficult to get permits for off-shore sites and noted that LNG has a sterling safety record.
"There are no perfect places to site LNG," Gehrig said.
Gehrig went on to say the Weaver's Cove location, on the North End of Fall River's waterfront, has several pronounced advantages as a possible site, including proximity to pipelines and interstates and a deep water port. Gehrig also noted that while local opposition is strong, the permitting process is proceeding smoothly.
"The people who really have the expertise in this matter are the United States Coast Guard and FERC," Gehrig said.
" FERC has determined that this project can be safely sited and safely operated," Gehrig said.
Sullivan concentrated on the inappropriate nature of locating and LNG facility in a heavily populated area.
"According to the Massachusetts Constitution, we're all entitled to protection of personal safety and personal property,"Sullivan said.
Sullivan also said that he believed that the 26-mile trip from the open ocean to the proposed site would represent opportunities for terrorists to attack ships.
"The terrorism issues have been addressed, but I can't talk about how they've been addressed," Gehrig said, noting that too much information could provide a "blueprint" for terrorists planning attacks.
"One of the things I keep hearing is, 'state of the art,' " Sullivan said. "When those jets went into the Twin Towers, I don't think there was any model to predict. I don't believe in 'state of the art' anymore."
Gehrig said that with demand rising and energy prices high in New England, LNG was needed.
"We should permit as many LNG facilities in this area as can be safely sited," Gehrig said.
Gehrig said every issue raised by Sullivan had been addressed during the permitted process.
"I don't blame these people," Sullivan said. "They're in business to make a profit. I blame the federal agencies. Why are they willing to take a risk with innocent lives?"