The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved the natural gas barge Broadwater Energy wants to put in the Long Island Sound Thursday, a move that pushes the project forward.

The terminal would be located nine miles from Long Island and 10 miles from the Connecticut shoreline. Environmentalists and many elected officials oppose the project, saying it could imperil the fragile ecosystem in Long Island Sound and that a terrorist attack on the facility could result in catastrophic results. Dick Amper, of the Pine Barrens Society, says he is not surprised by the ruling. He says it?s an example of how the government loves the big oil companies. Broadwater is a consortium of Shell Oil and TransCanada Pipelines Ltd.

FERC, which voted 5-0 to approve the project, says it will be the first floating terminal in the U.S. for storage and delivery of natural gas. The commission says the project is safe and will bring a much needed energy supply to residents.

Gov. David Paterson has yet to make a decision on the project. A spokesperson from his office says Paterson will likely rule on it in early April, after further review by the state. Connecticut officials have already opposed the project.

AP wire reports contributed to this article.

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