Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal vowed today to fight an appeal of a federal court ruling against a proposed natural gas pipeline beneath Long Island Sound.
U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport last month ruled that the Islander East project failed to consider the environmental impact on Long Island Sound. The project is a 50-mile pipeline from Branford to Yaphank, N.Y.
Underhill ordered the U.S. Commerce Department to reconsider its rejection three years ago of Connecticut’s objection to the proposed Islander East pipeline.
Blumenthal says Islander East disclosed its intention to appeal in a letter to the federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Islander East promoters say the project would supply natural gas to Connecticut, New York City and Long Island and bring more gas supply alternatives.
The state Department of Environmental Protection has not opposed construction of a pipeline across the Sound, but says the proposed route is not acceptable because it would damage water quality, natural resources and prime shellfish beds.
“An appeal is doomed to squander money and time that could be better spent on energy options that serve both consumers and environmental interests,” Blumenthal said. “One key point in the court’s decision is that Islander East has completely failed even to consider preferable alternatives to this pipeline route — which is worst case, worst place.”
Blumenthal predicted the appeal would take at least one year.
“If there is truly a need for natural gas on Long Island, it can come from elsewhere through a pipeline placed elsewhere, avoiding devastating harm to both environmental and consumer interests,” Blumenthal said.
John Sheridan, a spokesman for Islander East, said the proposed route would have the least environmental impact.
“We believe this project is important for the region,” Sheridan said. “The Northeast needs additional supplies of natural gas and Islander East is the infrastructure that can make it happen. We have looked at alternatives.”