Coast Guard rejects Fall River LNG appeal

BOSTON – The U.S. Coast Guard has rejected the latest appeal by the company that wants to build a liquefied natural gas terminal in Fall River.

The Coast Guard already rejected the plans by Weaver’s Cove Energy, saying the river approaching the project is unsafe for navigation by LNG tankers.

A big problem is the short distance between two bridges on the Taunton River – one of which was saved from demolition precisely to foil the LNG project.

Weaver’s Cove altered the plan so that smaller, more nimble tankers would be used on the river. But Coast Guard Rear Adm. Timothy Sullivan said the same navigational hazards still exist.

The company also has proposed building an offshore berth so tankers wouldn’t pass by populated areas. But critics say the risks are still unacceptable.