“As we confront our nation’s energy crisis, we’re undoubtedly going to need more LNG. My amendment simply ensures that before we build a new LNG facility, we first make sure that we are not unnecessarily creating a giant terrorist target,” said Rep. Markey. “In Boston, we’ve always known the LNG facility in my congressional district was a huge potential fire hazard, but after the September 11th attacks, we also know that it is a huge potential terrorist target.”

Rep. Markey’s amendment calls for DHS to assess whether the waterway leading to a proposed waterside LNG facility meets security and safety concerns and would be suitable for the increased marine traffic that would result from any LNG facility. DHS would then communicate their assessment to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and FERC, in turn, would be required to tell DHS what action FERC will take on the LNG application within 90 days or the expiration of any available appeal, whichever is later.

“The need for this kind of commonsense coordination between DHS and FERC has been highlighted recently by the situation in Fall River, Massachusetts, where the FERC has approved a license for an LNG facility that the Coast Guard says shouldn’t be built because the waterway to the facility is not suitable. Despite this action by the Coast Guard, which effectively blocks the facility, the FERC license remains in place. This lack of coordination makes no sense and my amendment will ensure that this doesn’t happen in future siting decisions,” said Rep. Markey.

Rep. Markey’s amendment was accepted on a voice-vote. The Coast Guard Authorization Act provides new resources for the Coast Guard and builds its capacity to ensure that it can successfully execute all its missions. Additional LNG related language in the bill requires the Coast Guard to protect and enforce security zones around all existing LNG facilities and requires a certification that the Coast Guard has the resources to protect any new LNG facilities.