Why Is Gov. Christie Silent On Off Shore LNG?

Senate Resolution Urges Gov. To Re-invoke Veto of “Port Ambrose” Off Shore LNG Proposal

A Tale of “That Was Then – This is Now”

A laugh among friends on the beach

Where is Gov. Christie on off shore LNG NOW?

Now that Republicans in Washington are aggressively pushing off shore LNG.

Now that he’s running for President.

Lets take a look at some recent history.

This was then: (Gov.’s Feb. 8. 2011 press release):

Governor Christie Vetoes LNG Offshore Natural Gas Project to Safeguard New Jersey’s Environment, Economy and Security

 

Trenton, NJ – Further demonstrating his commitment to protect New Jersey’s coastal waters and natural resources, Governor Chris Christie today invoked his authority under the federal Deepwater Port Act, vetoing a proposed deepwater liquefied natural gas operation 16 miles off the coast of Asbury Park. The action prevents Liberty Natural Gas from constructing and operating its proposed offshore port to receive foreign vessels transporting liquid natural gas (LNG) to the U.S. for regassification.

“I take very seriously our obligation to protect the environmental health of our coastal waters,” said Governor Christie. “Offshore LNG poses unacceptable risks to the State’s residents, natural resources, economy and security. We must ensure that our 126 miles of shoreline remain an economic driver for tourism and that our fishing and shellfish industries remain healthy and productive now and for future generations.”

Wow – that surely sounds impressive!

So, where is the Gov. now? Does he still “take very seriously” those obligations to protect the shore?

Looks like he’d rather duck the issue.

This is now: (August 24, 2013)

Gov. Christie’s Silence on Off Shore LNG Project Is More Evidence of National Political Ambition

Christie will not buck his party on an important energy issue

Yet another example of how Christie’s national political ambition harms the interests of NJ residents

But, you don’t need to take my word for it – here is the editorial board of the Asbury Park Press, in an Aug. 23, 2013 editorial

A company pitching a liquefied natural gas terminal off the New Jersey coast didn’t get very far a couple of years ago, when Gov. Chris Christie vetoed the plan. An amended proposal moving the project more toward the New York coast didn’t get a much better review from Christie; then-Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa told federal officials in March 2012 that Christie remained opposed.

Now Liberty Natural Gas has come back with a “new” proposal scarcely different from the amended version, but Christie hasn’t yet pulled the plug. Public hearings have been held, and a public comment period ended Thursday.

State Sen. Jennifer Beck, R-Monmouth, introduced a bill on Tuesday urging rejection of the project. We don’t know what Christie is waiting for, but we urge him to state his opposition to it as soon as possible. It is still as bad an idea for New Jersey as it has been all along.

Apparently fed up with the Governor’s failure to invoke his veto power, today the Senate Environment Committee passed a Resolution (SR 120) urging Gov. Christie to use his power to veto the project:

This House urges the Governor of the State of New Jersey to veto the project, pursuant to the authority granted to governors of adjacent coastal states under the federal “Deepwater Port Act of 1974,” 33 U.S.C. s.1501 et seq., and to thereby prohibit the port’s construction and operation off of New Jersey’ s coastline. 

The resolution was sponsored by Senator Beck (R-Monmouth). Beck carries lots of Gov. Christie’s water on the environment committee and elsewhere.

Back then, Clean Ocean Action (COA) made a very big deal about the risks of this project (I think they called it “Insanity Island”)  and ran a campaign that generated huge public opposition to it (targeting the Gov. and a request for veto).

After winning that battle, back then, COA very publicly applauded Gov. Christie when he used his veto power to kill it.

Back then, Gov. Christie did photo ops and got tons of good press for his “leadership in protecting the shore”.

But, now that the project has re-emerged in slightly different form, COA seems to have lost its voice and is putting very little if any public pressure on their pal, Governor Christie.

So, I was not surprised today when Cindy Zipf of COA made her annual pilgrimage to Trenton to support Senator Beck’s Resolution.

I testified to make some obvious points to call out this charade and say the Emperor is naked:

1) the Resolution is procedurally flawed  because it called on Gov. Christie to issue his veto only AFTER federal approval (look at procedure here) – 

2) The Resolution is not necessary because the Legislature has no role under federal law. The veto power is provided exclusively to the Governor;

3) The Resolution is a meaningless symbolic gesture, because a Resolution can not bind the Governor; and

4) The whole enterprise amounts to political cover for Governor Christie and Senator Beck and creates the appearance of effectiveness and success for COA. This is the just kind of “advocacy work” that the funders, like Dodge, just love.

So, we again ask: Where is Gov. Christie on off shore LNG NOW?

Now that Republicans in Washington are aggressively pushing off shore LNG.

Now that he’s running for President.