We Won!
AES announced last week ( April 27, 2007 ) that it has abandoned plans to erect an LNG terminal on Outer Brewster Island . The Arlington, VA-based company attributed its decision to the formidable opposition that formed in defense of the island and the Boston Harbor Islands National recreation Area. See the April 27, 2007 article in the Patriot Ledger.
Save the Brewsters is evidence that grass roots efforts can make a difference. Each person who participated – as part of the planning group, attending hearings and events, or signing the protesting petition – played an important role in saving a "protected" island from environmental devastation. Pat yourselves on the back.
Several key people stepped forward with outstanding leadership around this issue. Please thank them directly for their remarkable work. State Representative Garrett Bradley and State Senator Robert Hedlund carried the banner into the State House, doing the tireless spadework to educate their peers and ensure that AES could not secure the votes needed to strip the Park of one of its islands. Without them, this battle could not have been won. Hull Selectmen Joan Meschino and Ron Davy worked to educate the town of Hull, as well as their colleagues, about potential threats from the LNG terminal and AES’s unsatisfactory history with small municipalities. Joan was a particularly eloquent spokesperson, crafting penetrating questions and persuasive arguments that underscored the corporate self-interest of AES’s proposal. Patty Foley and Bruce Berman of Save the Harbor/Save the Bay led the 27-member coalition of businesses, citizen action groups, and environmentalists that joined in force to stop AES. Every member of the coalition devoted countless hours to the work, but Patty and Bruce’s strategic sense and sustained energy were crucial to our success.
LNG continues to be an important issue for our region, with two sites gaining momentum offshore in Gloucester and the citizens of Fall River still fighting to protect themselves against that project. Our [links] page will guide you to information about these and other projects. We should remember, as well, that our current and future LNG needs remain a matter of speculation, in the absence of comprehensive regional and national assessments. This lack of knowledge can only hurt the consumer, and leads to potential future environmental threats, such as that to Outer Brewster Island.
Thank you for everything you did to help prove that the Harbor Islands Are Not For Sale! This is a rare and wonderful victory. Congratulations to us all!