A state-funded report released Wednesday recommends three alternative sites for Broadwater Energy's proposed liquefied natural gas barge off Long Island's South Shore.

The New York Department of State, which commissioned the study and has the power to stop the project from coming to fruition, remained tight-lipped as to what their suggestions indicate. Two of the study's potential locations for Broadwater's proposed LNG terminal are within 15 miles of Long Beach. The third is about 17 miles south of Gilgo Beach in Suffolk County.

In response to the report, Broadwater Energy's Senior Vice President John Hritcko said, "South Shore locations are not viable."

Hritcko said his company studied several other factors than simply aesthetics, and determined the Long Island Sound location was best. Broadwater has called for the LNG barge's placement nine miles off Wading River.

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