As public hearings loom on the proposed Broadwater Energy gas barge, News 12 Long Island takes a look at both sides of the debate.

Broadwater Energy has proposed the construction of a liquefied natural gas barge in the Long Island Sound, about nine miles off the shore of Wading River. The quarter-mile long barge would take in super-cold liquefied natural gas, warm the substance and send it to Long Island through a pipeline. Broadwater officials say the Shell and TransCanada pipeline, along with the barge, would translate to an average household savings of $300. As for concerns about a terrorist attack, company representatives maintain liquefied natural gas does not explode.

Critics of the plan have several concerns. Although the gas would not explode, it still could light on fire. Along with potential dangers, some Wading River residents also believe the proposal would amount to an eyesore on an otherwise beautiful waterfront. They are also concerned about having a large part of the Long Island Sound, which they fought hard and spent a lot of money to clean up, become privatized. Fishermen in the area add their main fishing spots would be affected by the 1.5-mile security zone that would be imposed by the Coast Guard.

County Executive Steve Levy (D-Suffolk) believes the project is unnecessary, claiming only 15 percent of the liquefied natural gas supplied by the Broadwater project would actually be used by Long Island homeowners.

The first public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, January 10 at 7 p.m. at Smithtown High School-Western Campus. Another meeting will take place on Thursday, January 11 at 7 p.m. at Shoreham's Prodell Middle School.

Related InformationAnti-Broadwater Coalition Broadwater Energy Federal Energy Regulatory Commission The Risks and Danger of Liquefied Natural Gas