The decision on the controversial Broadwater project lies in the hands of New York state and new Gov. David Paterson after federal regulators gave their final approval for the floating natural gas terminal last week.

The project would cost $1 billion and would be the nation?s first floating liquefied natural gas terminal. It would be 1,200 feet long, eight stories high and anchored nine miles off the shores of Wading River in the Long Island Sound.

Since the plan was proposed, it has been met with much criticism from environmentalists and Long Islanders.

Broadwater?s critics say it would be a blight on the landscape, a safety risk, a target for terrorists and a threat to the environment.

?It will set a precedent that future generations will live to regret,? Adrienne Esposito, of the Citizens Campaign for the Environment, says.

?I worry if that thing ever blew up, how ... would we be affected?? Wading River resident Mary DiGaetano says.

According to a News 12 Long Island/Hofstra University poll, the project got mixed reactions from Long Islanders. Thirty-seven percent support Broadwater, 41 percent oppose it and 22 percent are undecided.

Even though the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission unanimously approved the project, it is requiring Broadwater Energy to meet dozens of environmental and safety requirements. FERC agreed with the project?s partners, Shell Oil and TransCanada, that the terminal is needed for an energy thirsty region.

?We have the highest energy prices in the country. They are the most volatile energy prices in the country and we don?t have the means of getting more supply delivered to us,? John Hritcko Jr., of Broadwater Energy, says.

The project still needs approval from the state and Gov. Paterson. Some Long Islanders are urging the new governor to really think about the pros and cons of the project before making his decision.

Comments from those for and against Broadwater Results of the News12/Hofstra poll on Broadwater

Fedsapprove Broadwater LNG terminalMoreBroadwater delays amid power transitionEnvironmentalistsdemand probe of Broadwater adsBroadwaterdeadline pushed back 60 daysFeds:Broadwater barge poses no environmental threat

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